Blandy´s
The typical drink of Madeira already ready to be consumed! Poncha is a traditional and emblematic drink from Madeira, made of sugar cane brandy, bee honey and lemon juice.
The origin of “Poncha da Madeira” dates back to the 19th century as the adaptation of the drink known as “panche” brought from India by English travellers in the 18th century.
This revolution has no known author, nor date. But everything indicates that the first “Poncha” to appear on the island was the same one that is still known today as “à pescador” (fisherman’s cottage) in which, initially, it was created by fishermen to warm themselves in the cold nights of marine life, in Câmara de Lobos, the village known as the “fisherman’s cottage”, assuming also that it was in this place that the first proposals began to appear using tangerine, or orange.
Despite being typical of the municipality of Câmara de Lobos, the poncha is known and appreciated all over the island, and the offer is multiplied by the old area of Funchal, in Serra de Água, Encumeada, and that long ago also crossed the borders of this. This is a technique that was later taken across the Atlantic to Brazil, Africa and the Caribbean.
There are also versions of the poncha either in Brazil as caipirinha, (made with cachaça, sugar, lime and ice), or in Cape Verde, where it is called “grogue”.
Whatever the origin, “Poncha” is the most traditional drink of Madeira, who goes to Madeira and does not drink poncha, has not known part of the culture of the pearl of the Atlantic, after all it is not only a drink, it has also become a history that goes back to past years. But there the fame of the drink continues and some say it is the place to drink one of the best ponchas of the region, in the company, as it is traditional, of peanuts and lupins.
Poncha” has become an emblematic product on the island so much that it is now, according to Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January, confirms that it is a product of ”Protected Geographical Indication status”, that is, it is a drink nationally recognized as being typical of Portugal, in order to protect the regional product and, above all, the local production of “Rum”.
Poncha da Madeira” presents some flexibility in what concerns the selection of its ingredients, being the obligatory component for the real poncha is the “Rum da Madeira”. The remaining ingredients, can be modified according to one’s taste, such as honey, citrus and sugar.
Allergens information
Contains sulphites.
SKU: 104769
