Eva Ekeblad (1724 - 1786) - Sweden's first female chemist?

Eva Ekeblad, born De la Gardie 10 July 1724 in Stockholm, died 15 May 1786 in Lidköping, was a Swedish countess and scientist.

In 1748, she became the first woman to be elected to the Swedish Academy of Sciences. She is perhaps best known in Sweden for being the first to describe how to make brandy from potatoes and could be called Sweden's first female chemist.

The potato was first planted in Sweden in the 1650s in the Uppsala Botanical Garden by Olof Rudbeck, but its great popularity came only in the 19th century when the knowledge of the potato's use in the preparation of spirits became known among the common people.

Ever since Sten Sture the Elder Since the end of the 15th century, the Swedish state has occasionally prohibited, regulated and monopolised the production and sale of intoxicating liquors in order to fill its own coffers and promote the line of work for its subjects. The last time moonshine was banned was in 1855. In the same year, a liquor tax was also introduced.

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