Lurisia Chinotto
275 mL bottle 3.63 g sugar / oz. |
History Lurisia mineral water comes from the base of the Western Alps in Cuneo province. The source of the water was discovered by miners prospecting for radium in 1917. Soon after its discovery, Marie Curie studied the spring and its waters while on a research trip in Italy. Water springing from the mine passes through a layer of radioactive autunite, which purportedly creates its legendary health benefits. The abandoned mine was later opened as the Lurisia spa in 1940, and in the same year the Acque Minerali S.r.l. company was founded to sell the bottled water. In the early years the high radioactivity of the mineral water was a prime selling point. Nowadays the bottled water comes from a different source which does not contain nearly so much radioactive radon. Lurisia mineral water is low in sodium and other minerals, meaning it has less of a "mineral water" flavor than many other brands. By the late 90s the brand had become a favorite in the UK and US. In 2007, Lurisia joined the stable of brands selected by the exclusive supermarket Eataly and in 2008 the company released a new selection of flavored sodas made from carbonated Lurisia mineral water with sugar and natural flavorings, including Aranciata, Gazzosa and Chinotto flavors. Chinotto is a small citrus fruit grown near the Mediterranean which has a bitter flavor. While the name refers to a possible origin in China, it is likely that the bitter flavor developed from a mutation in Italy. Traditionally the fruits are preserved with sugar as a candied fruit or the peels used as a flavoring in bitter liquers such as Campari. In 1949, businessman Pietro Nieri created a soda flavored with the fruit known as Chinotto Neri, or Chin8. Sanpellegrino launched its Chinotto a year later. In 1954, Chinotto Recoaro was created, which grew to become the most popular in the 1950s and 60s with the slogan "the other way to drink dark," implying a local alternative to that other dark soda, the foreign Coca-Cola then sweeping across post-war Europe. In recent years Chinotto has become more popular as a unique local flavor championed by the Italian Slow Food Movement. Cultivation of chinotto trees declined along with consumption of candied fruit in the early twentieth century, but the drink's revival has spurred efforts to replant the trees as well. Review A fragrant aroma of bitters, but the taste is milder than the smell might suggest. Sweet fruit flavors are followed by an astringent wash over my tongue. It's not very carbonated, which could perk up this drink a bit. I do like the flavor: it tastes fresh and pleasant, but I wish there was a little more carbonation to bring the flavors out more. There are hints of grapefruit, plus a cola-like bitterness without the cherry overtones of a cola. Tasty.
Ingredients Carbonated water, cane sugar, natural caramel, lemon juice, natural flavourings, Ligurian's Rivera Chinotto Infusion. Made by Lurisia – Acque Minerali |
