What ritual, involving Calvados, occurs between courses during a lavish meal in the Normandy region?
Answer
The trou Normand (Norman hole).
Calvados, the apple brandy originating from the Normandy region, is famously incorporated into a specific dining ritual known as the trou Normand, or the Norman hole. This practice involves drinking a small measure of the spirit not at the end of the meal, but specifically between courses. The intention behind this consumption is not to conclude the dining experience, but rather to serve as a stomach 'kick start' or palate cleanser to prepare the diner for the subsequent course, highlighting a unique aspect of regional culinary etiquette contrasted with the typical digestif consumption after the final course.
Related Questions
How is the anise-flavored spirit Pastis typically consumed ritualistically in the South, especially Marseille?What ritual, involving Calvados, occurs between courses during a lavish meal in the Normandy region?What mandatory distillation method distinguishes the oldest French brandy, Armagnac, from Cognac?What sweet blackcurrant liqueur is mixed with local white wine (*aligoté*) to traditionally create the aperitif known as Kir?How many herbs and spices are famously included in the herbal liqueur Chartreuse, crafted by Carthusian monks?What humorous alternative name do locals sometimes use when requesting the free tap water, *la carafe d'eau*?What specific production technique is responsible for the signature bubbles found in Champagne?Lillet, a wine-based apéritif from Bordeaux, is often enjoyed chilled with which two common accompaniments?The cocktail French 75 (*Le Soixante-Quinze*) was named as a tribute to what specific military artifact from World War I?What raw material, rather than molasses, is distilled to produce Rhum Agricole from Martinique for the Ti-Punch cocktail?Which specific grape variety is strictly mandated for use in the production of prestigious Cognac under AOC laws?