How is Vodka made, and from what?

Question

I know that a lot of Russian vodka is made from potatoes. I thought all of it was. Then I read about Gray Goose French Vodka which says its made from grain. Then my girlfriend read something about another vodka made from some sort of berry. I’m soooooooooo confused. Can anyone clear this dreadful mystery up for me?

Answer 1

Although vodka began as rye-based liquor, as it became more popular, the potato became the ingredient of choice. The potato was much more common, and although the vodka did not taste as well, much easier to distill from than other grains.

As vodka made the switch from a family made liquor to one that was produced on a grand scale by large distilleries, the potato was discarded and grain was embraced. Today most brands of vodka are distilled from rye, wheat, barley, and most commonly corn.

Vodka may be distilled from any starch/sugar-rich plant matter; most vodka today is produced from grains such as sorghum, corn, rye or wheat. Among grain vodkas, rye and wheat vodkas are generally considered superior. Some vodka is made from potatoes, molasses, soybeans, grapes and sometimes even byproducts of oil refining or wood pulp processing. In some Central European countries like Poland some vodka is produced by just fermenting a solution of crystal sugar and some salts for the yeast and distilling this after a few weeks.

Answer 2

Vodka can be made from any distilled grain or patotoes or raw materials(such as berry). you fermented the patatoes with yeast and then it becoems alcohol through a prcoess called alcoholic fermentation. Their is a great article on Wikipedia on Vodka. Click the links below to get a better explanation.

Answer 3

vodka, real Russian vodka is distilled from winter wheat grain, it is usually double or triple distilled for strength and purity
the term "vodka" is use broadly to describe any alcoholic spirit derived from any number sources( potatoes,cabbages & grain) but useing the same distillation process
it can also be flavoured with berrys,spices and even chilli for that extra kick
stollad!

Answer 4

Check the website below, it contains a history of vodka. As far as your gf reading about a berry being used, she might be thinking of Gin which is distilled with juniper berries.

Have fun!

Answer 5

vodka is made from potatoes how I dont know.

Answer 6

Find somethin' else to do.
* Russian usually add it with snake's venom.

Answer 7

god
what a dreadful mystery
really
there are starving kids in the world...

Answer 8

a very primitive way: pure alcohol +water

Answer 9

from grains