Now, say what you will about the famous Dutch reputation for being cheap (Dutch treat, anyone? And just watch a bar in Amsterdam empty three minutes after happy hour), but that concern with eking out every bit of value from something has led to some remarkable inventions.
One of my recent favorites is this video of a value-minded Hollander making 60 proof alcohol at home without a still, just using wine ("from a friend"), a freezer, and a salad spinner. It's a variation of an old technique called freeze distillation—or, if you want to get fancy, fractional crystallization. If, when you’re reading the instructions, you are stymied by the word “latish” that appears onscreen, say it with a Dutch accent…“lettuce” is what’s meant. Then check out the Austin Powers link at the bottom of this page.
Goes well with:
- The UnDutchables, an expat’s guide to living in the Netherlands and dealing with the Dutch.
- “I don’t speak freaky-deaky Dutch” — Engels/Nederlands miscommunication from Austin Powers in Goldmember.
2 comments:
I've read your post and try to view the vid and the video does not exist anymore. Hope you can re-upload the vid. Thanks!
Dionne ~
Thank you for the heads up. I've been looking for a duplicate of the video or something comparable to no avail. I'll keep looking. Seems to me someone ought to make another version of this...
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