FAQs (Questions & Answers)
1.What exactly a Ratafia is?
Well,… Ratafia is a liqueur, that’s all! According Regulation (EC) no 2019/787 a Liqueur is a spirit drink, having a mínimum sugar content, expressed as invert sugar, of 100g/L, and the mínimum alcoholic strength by volume shall be 15% ABV (30º US proof ). What is a Ratafia Catalana Liqueur?
2. Is any Ratafia always Ratafia Catalana European Geographical Indication (GI)?
Nop, Ratafia is a liqueur widely produced but only products produced according Order (Act) Dpt of Agriculture Govt of Catalonia ARP/243/2017, October 25th, DOGC No. 7484, 30-10-2017, which established the Protected Geographical Indication must be considered Protected “Ratafia Catalana” GI.
3. Is Any institution promote and expand the enthusiams for the Ratafia Liqueur?
Yes of course!, A non-profit institution called “Confraria de la Ratafia of the Village of Santa Coloma de Farners” promotes this liqueur since many years ago! its motto: “The Ratafia’s Universe” http://confrariaratafia.cat/
Ratafia Catalana GI is officially promoted and protected by its regulatiory Council https://ratafiacatalana.com/ as well as the EU’s Intellectual Property system that legally protects its name against imitation and misuse within the EU and in non-EU countries where a specific protection agreement has been signed. https://agricultura.gencat.cat/ca/ambits/alimentacio/segells-qualitat-diferenciada/distintius-origen/indicacions-geografiques-begudes-alcoholiques-espirituoses/ratafia-catalana/index.html#googtrans(ca|en)
4. What a Ratafia is and what not?
It’s quite easy: It’s a liqueur, that’s all! Well, It is an herbs & spices liqueur (herbal liqueur). So, …. Ratafia is not a fortified wine, non an apperitive like vermouth or other aromatised wine products, Non a mistelle (muted grape must) , non a sweet fortified muscat, non a Madeira, “rancio” or Sherry style wine, and so and so….
5. Is a Ratafia a natural product?
Nop, Ratafia can’t be found hanging upon a tree! that’s the fact. That’s mean than a human being decides how is going to be every drop of Ratafia you will find in a bottle and in your glass. No humans….no Ratafia!
6. What about Artisan or also called Craft Ratafia?
There is not a legal or at 100% clear definition about this matter. When we say “Craft Ratafia” we actually are talking about “amateur” or “homemade” Ratafia. Labelling a commertial Ratafia as a “artisan” product is right now not legal and also we can say it’s a miuse of the idea behind a “craft” spirit drink product should be.
7. Ratafia, an overview.
Every Liqueur has two main characteristics: its alcoholic strength by volume and its sugar content. Ratafias usually have 24%ABV (48-58 ºproof) and more than 120 grams of sugar per litre.
8. Is the green walnut mandatory in all Ratafias as an ingredient?
Yes it is. Both Ratafia and certified Ratafia Catalana PGI must be elaborated using green walnuts as a main ingredient. The unriped fruits of Juglans regia (known as Persian or english walnut). Legally: Ratafia is a liqueur elaborated basically with green walnuts. Its flavour can be completed with other aromatic plants.
9. What’s in your Ratafia? Energy, Nutrients?
A ratafia contains nutrients, basically ethanol and sugar. 1 gram of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) contains seven calories (29 kJ) and 1 gram of sugar four (17 kJ).
Note that Alcoholic beverages greater than 1.2% ABV are exempt from the mandatory ingredient list and nutrition declaration requirements EU Regulation on the provision of food information to consumers (1169/2011). According the EU REgulation 2021/2117 these information will be mandatory by december 2023, not yet clear if via a QR attached at the label or directlty impress at the label.
Spirits sector annex to the self-regulatory proposal from the European alcoholic beverages sectors on the provision of nutrition information and ingredients listing https://ec.europa.eu/food/sites/food/files/safety/docs/fs_labelling-nutrition_legis_alcohol-self-regulatory-proposal_annex-spirits-en.pdf
Companies voluntary info websites as an example: Diageo web diageo nutricional or Pernord Ricard Group web info nutricional Pernord Ricard
10. How to calculate energy-calories of my Ratafia?
It’s quite easy if you know the exactly amount of ethanol and sugar of your Ratafia liqueur. Ratafias, like other complex spirits, normally do not contain other energy nutrients i.e. fat, proteins, etc.
Calculation: ABV of Ratafia x 5.6 = Amount of Kcal/100mL.
(As an example, a Ratafia of 25%ABV …. 25 x 5.6 = 140 kcal/100mL (that is 577 kJ))
What about sugar?
You must know the amount of sugar per litre, normally that is from 120-250g/L.
Calculation: Sugars g/L x 0.4 = Amount of Kcal/100mL El xarop de la Ratafia: Càlculs. (juny 2016)
(As an example, a Ratafia of 150g/L sugar … 150 x 0.4 = 60 kcal/mL (247 KJ))
This exemple would equal 140+60 = 200 kcal/100mL (824 kJ).
Note: Serving size for spirits is 30mL, that’s approx. 60kcal (247 kJ).
11. Does a Ratafia ever expire?
Nop, liqueurs are shelf stable.
According the EU regulation beverages of 10% ABV or higher are exemplet from indicate Date of minimum durability or ‘use by’ date;
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© Of this post by Pep Escudero, 2019. Original post: Feb 2019. Last Update: sept the 29th 2023.
Ratafia Espiells 