What is The Knowledge of The Masters of Cuban Light Rum?
‘The Knowledge of The Masters of Cuban Light Rum’ is a set of traditional, scientific, sensory knowledge and techniques that ensure the safeguarding of the Cuban rum manufacturing process – and it has now officially been added to UNESCO’s list of cultural heritage, a prestigious designation that recognises a tradition that dates back eight generations in Cuba.
The life-long learning process is passed down from generation to generation and follows a strict ethical code on respect for Cuban rum culture, its history, and good practices.
“Rum is not only a spirit, but also an important part of our cultural expression. It represents an important part of our culture,” said Asbel Morales, a master since 1993.
The transmission includes protecting aging cellars, understanding their contents, characteristics, and the history of each barrel, plus knowing which mixtures result in which taste, appearance, texture, and beyond. It really is an art.
Almost all masters have studied chemistry and had rigorous taste and smell training – in fact, a decade worth of training and practise is required in total to become a master rum maker.
The UNESCO submission said, master rum makers know “the content and the history of every cask, cask rotations or repairs, and (know) which mixes produce certain aroma, colour, and body.”
This acknowledgment highlights the development of an important industrial and economic piece of the island, with long-standing tradition and a representative of its sugar industry – from which the basis for spirits is extracted.
What is Light Rum?
Light rum, also known as white or silver rum, is made from molasses – a thick syrup that derives from sugar cane. The aging process ironically gives the spirit a darker colour, but most are aged for a minimal time frame or have their colour stripped out after the aging process. With a 40% alcohol content, light rum is widely used for making cocktails such as world-famous favourite Pina Colada – no wonder we all go dancing in the rain after a couple of sips!
The island’s very first light rum maker resided near the city of Santiago de Cuba around 1862. Since then, there has been uninterrupted transmission of the Cuban light rum masters’ knowledge. Today, you can walk into a number of the Caribbean’s local rum distilleries and find a skilled rum maker honing their craft. In fact, you can watch them as they work and sample the local tipple on many Cuban tours.
This isn’t the first of Cuba’s recognised UNESCO-worthy accolades, with traditional songs and dances including the Tumba Francesca (French Drum), and Cuban Rumba listed as intangible heritage of humanity in 2008 and 2016 respectively.
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