Szesz

Szesz is the Hungarian term for ethanol, and in everyday usage it refers to distilled alcoholic beverages with relatively high alcohol content. The word can denote both drinking spirits and, in broader contexts, industrial or denatured alcohol used as a solvent or fuel. When people speak of szesz as a drink, they usually mean distilled spirits rather than fermented beverages like beer or wine.

Production of szesz starts with fermentation, where yeasts convert sugars from fruits, grains, or other carbohydrate sources into alcohol. The fermented mash is then distilled to separate ethanol from water and other compounds, increasing the alcohol concentration. Depending on the process, the product may be a neutral spirit with few flavor compounds or a spirit rich in aromatics, which may be aged or infused with flavors.

In Hungary, the best-known example of szesz is pálinka, a traditional fruit brandy. Pálinka is typically made by fermenting fruit mash from plums, apricots, pears, or other fruits and then distilling. Beyond pálinka, szesz encompasses other spirits such as brandy, vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey, produced both commercially and in craft distilleries across the region.

Regulation and labeling of distilled beverages vary by country but generally cover licensing, production standards, and consumer information. In European and Hungarian practice, certain regional spirits may be produced under specific quality or designation schemes to reflect origin and production methods.

Safety and health considerations apply to all szesz: ethanol can cause intoxication and poses health risks if consumed irresponsibly. Industrial or non-beverage alcohols should not be used for drinking.