"Summer" is a synonym for summer.
The etymology of summer takes us to the Latin word aestīvum . The term refers to summer : the hottest season of the year.
Summer
Summer, at an astronomical level, begins with the summer solstice and ends with the autumn equinox . This means that the season begins around June 21 in the northern hemisphere and December 21 in the southern hemisphere , while it ends around September 23 in the northern hemisphere and March 21 in the southern hemisphere .
Due to the climatic conditions that it usually presents, summer usually encourages outdoor activities . The summer season also favors beach tourism.
It is interesting to mention that, although today it is understood that summer and summer are synonyms (as indicated in the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ), long ago they were different seasons. In some regions , until the 18th century, five seasons were recognized: the hottest was summer, which followed summer and preceded autumn. Miguel de Cervantes wrote about the five seasons in “Don Quixote” , for example.
summer wine
It is known as summer wine , on the other hand, to a cleansing drink that is prepared with dandelion (the plant whose scientific name is Taraxacum officinale ). The recipe includes flowers of this species, water, sugar, lemon and orange, among other ingredients. The benefits of dandelion focus on liver health, and it can be taken in various forms in addition to liquid, cold and hot, as it can even be used as an ingredient for a salad.
Note that the dandelion is also known by the name wild chicory and, although its flowers are used for summer wine, the entire plant is edible. Its leaves are rich in provitamin A, iron and calcium , in addition to having diuretic properties and preventing cramps. Regarding its roots, they are usually roasted and ground before consumption. Next we will see the specific ingredients that we need to prepare summer wine:
* dandelion flowers, having removed the peduncles, 3 liters;
* boiling water, 2 and a half liters;
* cold water, 2 and a half liters;
* oranges, 2;
* lemon, 1;
* sugar , 1 and a half kilos;
* cloves (optional ingredient);
* chopped raisins, 1 and a half cups;
* warm tea, 2 tablespoons;
* fresh yeast, 1 tbsp.
Regarding preparation, we must place the flowers in a container and add the boiling water, then cover them with a cloth and leave them to rest for two days, without forgetting to stir them at least once a day. Then, we drain the water and transfer it to another container, where we also put the peels of the two oranges and the lemon cut into thin strips, along with the sugar. We stir well so that everything is mixed properly. We boil this over low heat for thirty minutes; This is the time to add cloves.
The dandelion flower is the main ingredient in summer wine.
On the other hand, we mix the raisins with the lemon juice and the oranges, and add the boiling water along with the cold water. We cover the new mixture and let it rest until it is cold. Next, we add the warm tea and yeast , and leave everything covered for two more days. It is time to strain the final mixture and keep it bottled, tightly covered and in a dark room until it ferments, a process that can take up to a month.
Novel The Wine of the Summer
“El vino del estío” , finally, is the title with which the novel “Dandelion Wine” , written by the American Ray Bradbury , was translated into Spanish. It was published in 1957 and had a sequel in 2006 .