What is thujone free absinthe and should you buy absinthe without thujone?
An absinthe buyer today is presented with a bewildering array of choices and one of those is the so called “thujone free” range currently available in stores in the United States. This form of absinthe actually has an historic precedent in Belle Epoque Europe, they were known then as “Absinthe Hygienique” According to the US FDA rules alcoholic beverages must be thujone-free pursuant to 21 CFR 172.510. This actually means that they contain anything from 0 to 10 parts per million thujone according to the thujone free test prescribed by another US organistaion, the TTB.
So should you buy absinthe that is thujone free? That really depends on what you want. According to some the legendary absinthe effect is caused by the contradictory action of thujone and alcohol. Some say this is what gives the Green Fairy her wings. The effect of absinthe is a form of alert inebriation, an increased sensitivity to light, sound and movement…and touch
Yes, that might well be where absinthes reputation as an aphrodisiac arose. In Europe under the Amer classification absinthe may contain 35mg/l of thujone, but not in America. Many American absintheurs (the word for absinthe drinkers) do choose to buy absinthe online from Europe, so perhaps that is a good answer to the question!
If you have any experiences with thujone free or high thujone absinthe that you would like to share, please let me know.

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