Professor Spaho: The quality of rakija in BiH is improving

At the scientific-professional consultation held in Krušik as part of the 42nd International Fair of Agriculture and Food Industry in Gradačac, Professor Nermina Spaho from the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences in Sarajevo gave her lecture, reports the Patria News Agency.

Professor Spaho focused on mistakes in rakija production, highlighting possible consequences for its taste, smell, and appearance.

- The most common mistakes in rakija production are the use of inadequate raw materials, and mistakes during crushing, fermentation, distillation, and storage of the distillate. This leads to defects in taste and smell such as acetousness, moldiness, sourness, bitterness, burnt taste, fusel oil taste, cooked taste, and similar. There are also color defects caused by dilution with hard water, storing rakija in poor containers, and excessive ammonia concentration - she said.

However, Professor Spaho points out that traditional producers have been making fewer mistakes in rakija production recently.

- Producers involved in traditional rakija production have greatly heeded the advice and suggestions of experts and corrected previous mistakes. Primarily, the fractions of foreshots and tails are now separated to a much greater extent, and ripe, undamaged, and mold-free plums are used for fermentation. Therefore, it is noticeable that the quality of rakija in Bosnia and Herzegovina has visibly improved in the last ten years - said the professor.

In the rakija production process, it is recommended to use good raw materials, clean the fruit, add pure yeast, and perform timely, two-stage distillation with the separation of foreshots and tails. However, for producers to know the correct production process, it is essential for them to attend such events.

- This type of consultation and lecture can have a significant impact on rakija production itself. Producers should come to hear what experts recommend and be prepared to apply it to improve the quality of the rakija they produce - Spaho concluded.

Professor Spaho was also the president of the expert commission for assessing the quality of rakija, liqueurs, and other spirits. In this regard, the "Krušik" distillery from Donji Skugrić, Modriča municipality, awarded eight grand gold medals, 35 gold, 63 silver, and 9 bronze awards.