thumb|A bottle of home-produced Țuică in [[Sighetu Marmației served alongside other Easter feasts. Noted an interlocking wooden stick inside of the bottle, typical of Maramureș region]]
Țuică () is a traditional Romanian spirit that contains ~ 24–86% Other spirits that are produced from other fruit or from a cereal grain are called "rachiu" or "rachie". Țuică is also the foundational element for creating the traditional Romanian vinars from different spirited fruits. In 2013, Romania produced of țuică.
It is considered Romania's national drink. (the result is pearlescent yellow, has a strong aroma, and is known as "old țuică", țuică bătrână), or it may be consumed immediately ("fresh țuică", țuică proaspătă). The people preparing țuică are sometimes referred to as țuicari, căzănari, or cazangii, but this varies according to geographical region. Mixed with water, țuică should never turn white or opaque. There are several different classifications of țuică based on aging duration, with varieties such as old, selected, superior, etc.
Types and terminology
The term "țuică" is defined as a spirit made from plums, although it is also colloquially used to refer to all distilled beverages. Romanian law (Order No. 368/2008, published in Monitorul Oficial) standardises definitions and labelling for traditional Romanian spirits including țuică, horincă, turț and others. Țuică is described as an autochthonous product found only in Romania. The term "palincă" is a generic term for any type of fruit brandy, while "palincă de prune" refers specifically to plum brandy.
Țuică is prepared using traditional methods both for private consumption and for sale. Although this was illegal in the past, the government tolerated the practice due to the traditional character of the beverage. Some communities have acquired production licences and produce it legally. Home distillation in Romania is legal provided the distiller pays an excise tax and produces no more than per household.
The names "horincă" and "turț" are used in the regions of Maramureș and Oaș as synonyms for țuică. These terms are occasionally used in other areas of northern Transylvania. This is codified in the Romanian law "Order No. 368/2008 approving the Rules on the definition, description, presentation and labelling of traditional Romanian beverages".
Consumption
thumb|A shot glass of țuica in [[Sighetu Marmației, pictured here during Easter celebration]]
Normally, țuica is only consumed before the meal (traditionally every meal). In most cases, only a shot-sized amount is served, and it is generally sipped. The drink is also present in all traditional parties (agape) such as weddings, baptisms, hunting parties, harvest festivals, religious holidays, family reunions, and wakes. In most of rural Romania, țuică is the usual drink to hold a toast with, rather than wine. Usually it is drunk before a meal, as it increases appetite.
A modern portrayal of a modern village inhabitant almost always includes a bottle of țuică. Studies of Romanian fruit processing and rural economies describe plum distilling as closely associated with hill and Subcarpathian rural livelihoods and with forms of farm diversification, including marketing to urban consumers and visitors.
Țuică is sometimes used as part of a small remuneration package for favors or "daily work" (informal or between friends).
Romania is the largest plum producer in the European Union and among the top plum producers in the world. According to the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture, around are cultivated with plum trees, and 80% of production is transformed into țuică.