Curacao of Curacao: The Island's Famous Liqueur
- By Justin Burch
- Published 02/11/2009
- Travel
- Unrated
Justin Burch
Justin Burch writes articles about travel in Curacao for the Marriott Resorts.
View all articles by Justin Burch
Though Curacao is one of the Caribbean's best resort destinations, some people are more familiar with the orange-flavored liqueur that shares the island's name. The popular liqueur, often seen in its bright blue variety and used in cocktails, is a product of Curacao's unique climate and geography. As the Laraha oranges used in Curacao liqueur are the result of an agricultural mishap and only found on this Caribbean island, the mixture's odd history provides tourists an eye-opening opportunity off the beaten path. Today, the “Curacao of Curacao” brand produces the world's only “authentic” Curacao liqueur from its historic colonial factory just outside Willemstad. The factory, housed within the Landhuis Chobolobo, also opens its doors every weekday to anyone hoping to learn the fascinating tale of the island's most famous export.
The island of Curacao was discovered by the Spanish in 1499 and settled in the following years. As the Spanish expanded their interests in Curacao, they attempted to cultivate some of their own crops to support the colony. Amongst the foods the colonizers attempted to grow in Curacao was the Valencia orange, a juicy variety that is still enjoyed widely today. However, when the oranges were harvested, the Spanish found that the island's soil and climate transformed the tangy fruit into bitter, inedible produce. The orange crops were immediately abandoned, but the bitter variety continued to spread and grow throughout the island. Later in colonial history, residents of Curacao came to realize that the unwanted peels of these bitter oranges – now known as the Laraha orange – exuded a pleasing, perfume-like fragrance after drying in the sun. For many years, locals and European visitors experimented with the oil found in the sun-dried orange peels, eventually yielding the recipe for Curacao
liqueur.
At the end of the 19th century, Curacao's own Senior family began producing the liqueur using a custom copper still that remains in use today. Using the dried peels of the Laraha and a secret recipe of spices, the Senior family created what is still known as the world's only “authentic” Curacao liqueur. Though many varieties of the spirit are made throughout the world, the “Curacao of Curacao” brand remains the only version produced in Curacao with local Laraha orange peels, rather than synthetic ingredients. Due to the worldwide popularity of Curacao liqueur, the island now has a number of dedicated Laraha plantations, many of which supply their fruit directly to the “Curacao of Curacao” label.
The “Curacao of Curacao” Distillery can be found in one of the island's most attractive historic mansions, the Landhuis Chobolobo, located just east of central Willemstad in the Salina region. Constructed in the early 1800s, Landhuis Chobolobo served many uses over the years, including home to Curacao's most popular club in the 1940s. “Curacao of Curacao” has been making the world-famous liqueur on site since 1962. In addition to the world-famous blue Curacao liqueur (the liqueur is naturally clear, but distinguishing colors are added after distillation), the factory also produces three additional colors of Curacao as well as coffee, chocolate and rum raisin-flavored spirits.
When visiting the factory, visitors will be able to tour the historic building, learn about the distilling process and, of course, sample the products. The “Curacao of Curacao” Distillery is open each weekday from 8 AM to 12 PM and again from 1 PM to 5 PM. Many organized tours visit the factory and provide walkthroughs of the facility, while the permanent exhibits allow self-guided tourists to explore the factory at their own speed. Best of all, entrance to the factory is free, making this signature destination a must-see for any day of sightseeing in Curacao.
The island of Curacao was discovered by the Spanish in 1499 and settled in the following years. As the Spanish expanded their interests in Curacao, they attempted to cultivate some of their own crops to support the colony. Amongst the foods the colonizers attempted to grow in Curacao was the Valencia orange, a juicy variety that is still enjoyed widely today. However, when the oranges were harvested, the Spanish found that the island's soil and climate transformed the tangy fruit into bitter, inedible produce. The orange crops were immediately abandoned, but the bitter variety continued to spread and grow throughout the island. Later in colonial history, residents of Curacao came to realize that the unwanted peels of these bitter oranges – now known as the Laraha orange – exuded a pleasing, perfume-like fragrance after drying in the sun. For many years, locals and European visitors experimented with the oil found in the sun-dried orange peels, eventually yielding the recipe for Curacao
At the end of the 19th century, Curacao's own Senior family began producing the liqueur using a custom copper still that remains in use today. Using the dried peels of the Laraha and a secret recipe of spices, the Senior family created what is still known as the world's only “authentic” Curacao liqueur. Though many varieties of the spirit are made throughout the world, the “Curacao of Curacao” brand remains the only version produced in Curacao with local Laraha orange peels, rather than synthetic ingredients. Due to the worldwide popularity of Curacao liqueur, the island now has a number of dedicated Laraha plantations, many of which supply their fruit directly to the “Curacao of Curacao” label.
The “Curacao of Curacao” Distillery can be found in one of the island's most attractive historic mansions, the Landhuis Chobolobo, located just east of central Willemstad in the Salina region. Constructed in the early 1800s, Landhuis Chobolobo served many uses over the years, including home to Curacao's most popular club in the 1940s. “Curacao of Curacao” has been making the world-famous liqueur on site since 1962. In addition to the world-famous blue Curacao liqueur (the liqueur is naturally clear, but distinguishing colors are added after distillation), the factory also produces three additional colors of Curacao as well as coffee, chocolate and rum raisin-flavored spirits.
When visiting the factory, visitors will be able to tour the historic building, learn about the distilling process and, of course, sample the products. The “Curacao of Curacao” Distillery is open each weekday from 8 AM to 12 PM and again from 1 PM to 5 PM. Many organized tours visit the factory and provide walkthroughs of the facility, while the permanent exhibits allow self-guided tourists to explore the factory at their own speed. Best of all, entrance to the factory is free, making this signature destination a must-see for any day of sightseeing in Curacao.