last step in the process is aging. Pálinka can be aged in wooden casks (made of, e.g., mulberry wood) or in tanks made of metal. Not all varieties of pálinka can be aged in wooden casks because the wood can cancel the fruity taste of the drink. Non-commercial production In Hungary, one can ferment a batch of fruit mash at home, then take the fermented mash to a distiller, who can then legally distill the mash to the desired strength. Legislation legalized small home distillers in 2010. The most alcoholic pálinkas are (informally) referred to as kerítésszaggató in Hungarian, which literally means "fence-ripper" (referring to a drunkard's loss of balance) or "guggolós" ("squatter"), referring to the action required while walking near the windows of the houses of non-professional distillers to avoid getting invited (again) to taste their home-made pálinka. These potent, homemade, házi (home-made) pálinkas are commercially available in small portions and are very common in the countryside. Similar products Rakia, a spirit made throughout Southeastern Europe Slivovitz, plum spirit Țuică, a similar drink in Romania See also National symbols of Hungary References Further reading Farnadi, Éva (ed.): Hagyományok, ízek, régiók, Alföldi Nyomda, 2000 () External links The History of Pálinka A site dedicated for the beverage (in English) palinka.lap.hu A site with a collection of links about Pálinka A description of the palinka with protected designation of origin (in Hungarian) Fruit brandies Hungarian spirits