What is Vodka?
[[File:Wzg.JPG|thumb|right|150px|A bottle of Żołądkowa Gorzka, a type of Polish herbal vodka]] '''Vodka''' is an [[alcohol]]ic [[drink]] that is usually about 40% alcohol (but can be more).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vodka Alcohol Content {{!}} How Much Alcohol Is In Vodka?|url=https://www.arkbh.com/alcohol/types/liquor/vodka/alcohol-content/|access-date=2024-09-09|website=ARK Behavioral Health|language=en-US}}</ref> It is [[transparent|clear]] (but can be flavoured), though it is sometimes [[mix]]ed with other [[liquid]]s before people drink it. It is popular in the [[Slavic peoples|Slavic]] countries of [[Eastern Europe]] and former republics of the [[Soviet Union]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vodka Consumption by Country 2024|url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/vodka-consumption-by-country|access-date=2024-09-09|website=worldpopulationreview.com}}</ref> == Things that are made into vodka == [[File:Zubrowka vodka 01.jpg|thumb|left|150px|A modern variant of Żubrówka, one of the oldest types of vodka still around - traditionally produced in the [[Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth]]]] Vodka can be made from different things: * [[Molasses]] (which comes from the production of [[sugar]]) are used to produce the cheapest vodka. Because of the ingredient, this kind usually tastes sweeter than vodka made from [[grain]]. [[Soy bean]]s, [[grape]]s or [[sugar beet]]s may also be used, but are less common. * [[Potato]]es have been used for centuries to make vodka. * [[Grain]] is used to produce the highest grade vodka - like potatoes, vodka is also traditionally made from grain. The process to make vodka is: # The raw material is crushed and dissolved in water. This is called ''mashing'' # The ''mash'' is heated to 60&nbsp;°C. All starch will break up into sugars. # Yeast is added and the mash vessel is closed airtight with airlock. The yeast will [[fermentation|ferment]] the sugar into alcohol. # The fermented mash is then [[distillation|distilled]]. It can be made either in simple pot still or sophisticated indus