Pálinka production in Hungary endangered due to climate change

Pálinka is a traditional spirit in Hungary, consumed by many on family occasions, in bars or at parties. After swimming 10 kilometres in the Seine at the Paris Olympics, the 19-year-old Bettina Fábián even disinfected with a fine peach pálinka. However, peach, apple, or raspberry pálinka is in danger. Instead, you may consume more kiwi pálinka in the future.

Hungarian pálinka and wine will taste differently

According to experts, apple and peach pálinka are endangered in Hungary because of the changing climate. Meteorologists say the problem with Hungary’s weather concerning agricultural production is simple: the dominant Western winds weaken, and as a result, extremities from the North and the South are becoming more frequent. The consequence is that fruit yield freezes in May, while the crop struggles with extreme draught in July or August.

Nobody knows whether that fundamental trend can be reversed. But winemakers, for example, are preparing to plant Southern wine types in Hungary, enduring extreme heat. As a result, Hungarian wine flavours may change in the future, just like pálinka.

Hungarian swimmer disinfected with pálinka after swimming 10 kms in the Seine in Paris. Photo: PrtScr/Facebook/MÚSZ

László Mihályi, president of the National Council of Pálinka (PNT), told Infórádió’s Aréna that pálinka distilleries will have to replace some fruits because of climate change. He said that in the case of peach, the previous trend was that after 3-4 good years, a challenging one followed. The new trend is the opposite: one good year and four bad years.

Kiwi pálinka instead of apple and raspberry

The change’s primary reason was the May frosts. Some producers plant late-blooming trees, but their fruit is different, which makes their pálinka taste different, too.

Photo: Big Green Egg Hungary/FB

The president of the PNT said plums and cherries will resist the changing climate, but apples will be problematic. A solution could be extended irrigation, but in some places, that can be hard in Hungary. However, raspberry will probably disappear from Hungary because of climate change, just like blackcurrant. However, Hungary’s climate allows farmers to grow kiwi, so distilleries began to produce kiwi pálinka.

Mr Mihályi added that growing fruits is labour intensive, and agriculture has been struggling with the lack of workforce for years.

Peach pálinka in danger. Source: facebook.com/palinkanemzetitanacs/

Read also:

• Everything you wanted to know about the Hungarian pálinka – read our article HERE
• Five fun facts about the Hungarian pálinka