Cascarilla

/ˌkæskəˈriːə/ noun

Definition

A West Indian shrub (Croton eluteria) whose aromatic bark is used to make bitters, or the aromatic bark itself.

Etymology

Spanish diminutive of cascara (bark)—literally 'little bark,' referring to the thin aromatic bark pieces.

Kelly Says

Cascarilla bitters were so prized in colonial times that they became a luxury trade item—the Spanish literally named it 'little bark' because the valuable part was those thin, fragrant bark strips!

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