Absinthe is more than a spirit — it is a blend of medicinal plants, each with a story to tell. Here, discover the botany surrounding absinthe, and awaken your curiosity among plants, gestures and seasons.
Rooted in the plant world, the Maison de l'Absinthe's botanical section explores the plants behind the Green Fairy, their uses and the knowledge around them. From the living garden to the herbarium, every piece is designed to reveal the botanical richness of absinthe and its close tie to the region.
Botanicals & know-how
Where the Green Fairy takes root
The fundamentals
The plants of absinthe.
Some plants are indispensable in absinthe, such as green anise or, of course, grande absinthe. Powerful and bitter, the latter contains thujone, a substance long controversial and today strictly limited. These founding botanicals establish the structure and signature of a Val-de-Travers absinthe.
To balance the bitterness, other plants or spices are used. Some are classics, such as hyssop or lemon balm; others are more unexpected and form part of the distillers' secret.
This blend is essential, as each plant plays a different role in the final assembly. One provides structure, another rounds it off or refreshes it. It is in this balance that the character of the Val-de-Travers terroir reveals itself.
To balance the bitterness, other plants or spices are used. Some are classics, such as hyssop or lemon balm; others are more unexpected and form part of the distillers' secret.
This blend is essential, as each plant plays a different role in the final assembly. One provides structure, another rounds it off or refreshes it. It is in this balance that the character of the Val-de-Travers terroir reveals itself.
From field to still
Harvesting and transformation.
To preserve the unique taste of a plant, developed through its environment, it must be carefully cultivated and prepared for distillation. These steps draw on a unique know-how, with rituals passed down from generation to generation.
The Boveresse Drying Barn is a perfect example of our region's expertise. It is a magnificent witness to agricultural culture from the 19th century. The site illustrates the importance of sorting, storage, and protection from light and humidity. These gestures are simple, but decisive in preserving the quality and finesse of the final product.
Finally comes the transformation, distilling these plants into absinthe. A dialogue between plant matter, patience and precision. It is the step that reveals aromas, bitterness and nuances, and marks the cultural birth of absinthe.
The Boveresse Drying Barn is a perfect example of our region's expertise. It is a magnificent witness to agricultural culture from the 19th century. The site illustrates the importance of sorting, storage, and protection from light and humidity. These gestures are simple, but decisive in preserving the quality and finesse of the final product.
Finally comes the transformation, distilling these plants into absinthe. A dialogue between plant matter, patience and precision. It is the step that reveals aromas, bitterness and nuances, and marks the cultural birth of absinthe.
On site
The plant garden and the Boveresse drying barn
Find the plants of absinthe at the museum and across the region — from the living garden to the historic nineteenth-century drying barn.