🥃 Ouzo of Plomari
A separate EU geographical indication for ouzo from the town of Plomari on the island of Lesbos: an aniseed spirit flavoured by distillation in copper stills; usually 40% vol.
Ouzo of Plomari (in Greek Ούζο Πλωμαρίου) is a separate EU geographical indication for ouzo from the town of Plomari on the south coast of the Greek island of Lesbos. It is an aniseed spirit whose aroma comes from distilling spirit with anise, other seeds and herbs. According to a Greek gastronomy guide, about half of Greece's ouzo is made on Lesbos.
History. Ouzo has been made in Plomari for at least the 19th century. According to the profile of the industry association SEAOP, the Barbayannis distillery was founded in 1860 by Efstathios Barbayannis and is still run by his family. The recipe of Isidoros Arvanitis's ouzo dates from 1894; according to Difford's Guide, this distillery has 18 small copper stills and an ouzo museum.
How it is made. The base is spirit of agricultural origin, flavoured by distillation with anise (Pimpinella anisum). The technical file for ouzo also permits star anise, fennel, dill, coriander, cardamom and citrus peel. Arvanitis writes that he sources his anise from the Lisvori area of Lesbos and distils twice, nine hours each time.
Protection. In the EU the name «ouzo» may only be used by drinks from Greece and Cyprus. Alongside the general «Ouzo» indication, Lesbos has two local ones — Ouzo of Plomari and Ouzo of Mytilene. Ouzo of Plomari usually has 40% vol., while the general «Ouzo» indication allows from 37.5% vol.
Why it matters to you. The name «Ούζο Πλωμαρίου» guarantees the origin from Plomari, but not a particular brand: several local distilleries use it. Ouzo turns cloudy when water or ice is added, because anethole from the anise dissolves poorly in weaker alcohol — this is not a defect. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Legal basis | EU PGI «Ούζο Πλωμαρίου» (Ouzo of Plomari) within the PGI «Ouzo» |
|---|---|
| EU category | distilled aniseed; the name «ouzo» only for Greece and Cyprus |
| Raw material | spirit of agricultural origin, anise (Lisvori, Lesbos), other seeds and herbs |
| Distillation method | in copper stills; Arvanitis — twice, 9 hours each |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | usually 40% vol.; PGI «Ouzo» — from 37.5% vol. |
| Year founded | Barbayannis — 1860; Isidoros Arvanitis recipe — 1894 |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Ouzo of Plomari → kind of → 🌿 Anise spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Made from
- 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 Greeks
- Part of
- 🌿 Anise spirits, 🥃 Ouzo
- Related to
- 📜 Lesbos, 🌍 Southern Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Anis, 🥃 Tsipouro, 🥃 Masticha of Chios, 🥃 Distilled anis
Frequently asked questions
Is «Ouzo of Plomari» a single brand?
No. It is a geographical indication: several distilleries in Plomari may use the name, including Isidoros Arvanitis and Barbayannis.
Where is Plomari?
On the south coast of the island of Lesbos, in the north-eastern Aegean Sea, Greece.
How does Ouzo of Plomari differ from ordinary ouzo?
By its place of production and a separate EU protection; producers emphasise anise from Lisvori and distillation in small copper stills.
Why does ouzo turn cloudy with water?
Anethole, the aromatic substance of anise, dissolves poorly in weaker alcohol and forms tiny droplets.
What is the strength of Ouzo of Plomari?
Usually 40% vol., according to the producer Isidoros Arvanitis; the general «Ouzo» indication allows from 37.5% vol.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🌍 Southern Europe — The Mediterranean south of Europe — Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal: sheep's and goat's milk cheeses and most of the world's olive oil.
- 🧑🤝🧑 Greeks — The people of Greece, in the south of the Balkans and on Mediterranean islands; olives grown for over 4,000 years, with olive oil, feta and wine.
- 🥃 Anis — Aniseed spirit (EU category 28) flavoured only by anise, star anise or fennel; from 35% vol.; in Slovenian also janeževec.
Similar
🥃 Chinchón · 🥃 Hierbas Ibicencas · 🥃 Hierbas de Mallorca · 🥃 Herbero de la Sierra de Mariola · 🥃 Tsipouro of Thessaly · 🥃 Tsipouro of Macedonia
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- eAmbrosia: technical file «Ouzo» (amended): raw materials — anise, star anise, fennel, dill, coriander, cardamom, citrus peels; flavouring by distillation in copper stills
- Plomari Distillery Isidoros Arvanitis: FAQ (recipe 1894; Lisvori aniseed; double distillation, 9 hours each; 40 % vol.)
- Difford's Guide: Plomari Distillery Isidoros Arvanitis (Kambos Plagias, Plomari; 18 small copper stills; 100 % distillation; museum)
- SEAOP member profile: Barbayannis distillery, Plomari (founded 1860 by Efstathios Barbayannis; PGI Ouzo of Plomari)
- Greek Gastronomy Guide: Ouzo of Lesvos (Mytilene) and Plomari — separate PGIs; 17 distilleries; about 50 % of Greek ouzo
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)