🥃 Cinchona tree
Genus of Andean trees whose bark yields quinine; the bark gives bitterness to bitters, amaro, quinquina and tonic, and quinine treated malaria for centuries.
The cinchona tree (Cinchona) is a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs from the slopes of the Andes in South America. Their bark contains alkaloids, the main one being quinine. The bark gave the world its first effective malaria medicine, and in drinks it gives the characteristic bitter note of bitters, amaro, quinquina wines and tonic.
History. As Malaria Journal reports, powdered bark was used by Jesuit missionaries in South America around 1630, which is why it was called “Jesuit bark”. According to a European legend, the bark cured the wife of a Spanish viceroy of Peru of fever, and in 1742 Carl Linnaeus named the genus Cinchona after her. In 1820 the French chemists Pelletier and Caventou isolated pure quinine, and after 1890 the main source became bark from plantations on Java.
In drinks. The bark is crushed and steeped in spirit or wine together with other herbs. Quinine bitterness is present in aperitifs and cocktail bitters. EU rules allow a bitter aromatised wine to be called “quinquina” if its main flavour comes from natural quinine flavouring.
Tonic. Carbonated tonic water got its bitterness from quinine. In the USA, quinine may be added to soft drinks only as a salt and no more than 83 mg per litre, and the label must state it.
Why this matters to you. Quinine is a medicine, not just a flavour: in large doses it causes ringing in the ears, headache, nausea and visual disturbances. People who take medicines or have heart problems should consult a doctor. The WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Raw material | bark of Cinchona trees; main alkaloid quinine, also quinidine, cinchonine and cinchonidine |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | EU Regulation (EU) No 251/2014 (quinquina); in the USA 21 CFR 172.575 — quinine in soft drinks up to 83 ppm |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Cinchona tree → kind of → 🌿 Bitters and bitter spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🍸 Bitter (bitter-tasting spirit drink), 🥃 Amaro, 🍷 Quinquina, 🍷 Maceration
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health
- Part of
- 🌿 Bitters and bitter spirits
- Related to
- 🌍 Latin America
- Similar and different
- 🍷 Vermouth
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that tonic cures malaria?
No. There is very little quinine in modern tonic: in the USA, no more than 83 mg per litre. Malaria is treated only with prescription medicines under a doctor’s supervision.
Why was the bark called “Jesuit”?
Because around 1630 Jesuit missionaries used it in South America and spread it in Europe as a remedy for fever.
Who isolated quinine?
The French chemists Pierre Joseph Pelletier and Joseph Caventou in 1820; from then on pure quinine replaced the powdered bark.
Which drinks contain cinchona bark?
Some bitters and amaro, quinquina wines and tonic water; producers usually do not disclose the exact recipe of a brand.
What is dangerous about quinine?
In large doses: ringing in the ears, headache, nausea, dizziness and visual problems; doctors call this cinchonism.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🌍 Latin America — A region from Mexico to the south of South America: about 9% of the world's milk, dulce de leche and fresh cheeses, Argentine and Chilean wines, olives.
- 🍷 Vermouth — Vermouth is an aromatised wine whose characteristic taste comes from Artemisia plants (wormwood) with other herbs and spices.
- 🍸 Bitter (bitter-tasting spirit drink) — Spirit drink with a predominantly bitter taste: flavoured alcohol or distillate from 15% vol.; EU category 30.
- 🍷 Maceration — Steeping the juice with the skins to extract colour, tannins and aroma.
Similar
Sources
- Achan J. et al. Quinine, an old anti-malarial drug in a modern world: role in the treatment of malaria. Malaria Journal 2011; 10:144 (cinchona bark, Jesuits c. 1630, Linnaeus 1742, Pelletier & Caventou 1820, Javan bark after 1890, cinchonism)
- Regulation (EU) No 251/2014 on aromatised wine products, Annex II Part A(4): bitter aromatised wine; 'Quinquina wine' — main flavouring natural quinine flavouring (legislation.gov.uk)
- US 21 CFR § 172.575 Quinine: hydrochloride or sulfate salt in carbonated beverages, not to exceed 83 ppm as quinine; label must declare quinine (LII, Cornell)
- Difford's Guide: Bitters — infusions of herbs, spices, roots and peels; common botanicals gentian, quinine, orange peel
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)