Understanding What Rum is

Rum is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermented juice of sugar cane. It is made by fermenting and distilling the sugarcane juice, cane syrup and molasses into a spirit. While its origin is still a bit of a mystery, it is believed that the sugarcane first arrived in the Caribbean from South East Asia or India, where it was already being made into a type of alcohol.

Rum comes in a variety of styles, ranging from clear, light-bodied rums to aged, full-bodied rums. The flavor of the rum depends largely on where it is made, what type of sugarcane is used, and the distillation method. The most popular style of rum is light-bodied, which has a light flavor and is very versatile. Dark rums can also be found in several styles and are more full-bodied in flavor.

Process of Making Rum

The process of making rum is fairly simple. First, the sugar cane is harvested and then pressed to extract the juice. The juice is then heated to reduce its acidity, cooled, and then fermented using yeast. After the fermentation process is complete, the fermented liquid is distilled, which increases the alcohol content.

The distilled rum is then aged in oak barrels, which helps to give the rum its golden color and gives it its distinctive flavor. Finally, after the aging process is complete, the rum is filtered, bottled and ready to enjoy.

What Different Types of Rum Exist

There are a variety of different types of rum. These range from light-bodied white rums, which have a sweet, light flavor and are perfect for cocktails, to darker rums such as spiced and aged amber rums, which are deeper in flavor and are great for sipping. Some rum is flavored with spices, fruits or other ingredients, creating a variety of flavorful concoctions.

At the end of the day, no matter which type of rum you choose, they all come from the same base spirit – sugarcane. Whether you’re ordering an aged rum to sip neat or a light rum to mix in a cocktail, you can rest assured that you’re enjoying a delicious and unique spirit.