When we traveled in Italy, we needed to hydrate--it's hot there, even in the fall. Of course, we carried Thermos bottles to keep water in (filling them with the public Nasoni and acqua potabile fountains, or we'd pick up bottles of acqua frizzante (sparkling water). Lucas and I also used the water to wet our bandanas, either puttin gthem around our necks or under our caps!

But there were times we just needed to quench our thirst with a bit more flavor--and bubbles. Sure, they have Coke there, but we're not such big Coke drinkers, and besides, it tastes very different there.

As we experimented with Italian sodas, we discovered that the Italian Fanta is amazing. It's not super sweet like in the States, is lighter in color, and in fact contained actual orange juice!  Fresh, fruity and frizzante!
Once in a while here at home, we will order some from Amazon to bring back that Italian thirst-quenching memory. Perfect in summer with a panino out on our patio.

Next is a classic Sicilian flavor...  Néssi's Blood Orange Soda. Again, beautiful, nostalgic artwork on the can of a woman on a bicycle. There's nothing like the flavor of blood oranges in Italy. Their flavors are more profound and the colors much deeper that blood oranges grown in the U.S.. This one is refreshing and might be a great addition to your cocktail mix collection.

If you want to drink a truly Italian, strange soda, you have to try Chinotto. It's a bittersweet flavor halfway between a cola and citrus flavor, but without much sweetness. Apparently, this beverage was popular even in ancient times. This is very popular with many Italians who consider it very refreshing. It's made from the fruit of the citrus myrtle-leafed myrtifolia tree.

When Lucas and I tried it, we decided it was an acquired taste and not for us. Still, it's an authentic flavor that you might very well fall in love with, especially if you like bitter flavors.

Several companies produce Chinotto in Italy, including San Pellegrino (under the brand names Chinò and Chinotto) and  Fanta Chinotto in Italy.

Enjoy your Italian life!

--Jerry Finzi

Italians have either invented, discovered or perfected many things that have spread worldwide: pasta, pizza, tomatoes, motor scooters and of course, coffee. In this case, although latte art became widespread in American coffee shops in the 1980s, it was the Italians who first created either artistic imagery or custom writing using micro-foamed milk on top of their brews. There are now latte artist-baristi all over the world, from Italy to America to Scandanavia and even in the Orient. Some of the best compete in world competitions. Here are a few examples.

                                                                                                                                                   on AMAZON

If you'd like to try your hand at this fun craft, check out these Youtube videos...

Ciao!

--Jerry Finzi

First of all, I realize that Anisette is the French version of a liquor made from anise seeds, but for some reason my mother always gave us a little Anisette when we had a bad cold, not Sambuca. Perhaps the reason is because unlike Anisette and other Mediterranean anise spirits (Greece, Ouzo; Bulgaria, Mastika; Albania and Turkey, Arak; and Cristal in Algeria), Sambuca is really made from elder-flowers with star anise and licorice flavoring added. Anisette is distilled using only anise (fennel) seeds.

The benefits of anise itself are well-known: aiding with breathing problems, as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Even as an adult, I still use my Mother's remedy rather than those toxic blends of cold medicines. Anisette works surprisingly well to sooth any sore throat and helps to clear stuffiness. In fact, this past week I suffered from a sort of laryngitis and the Anisette made it easier for me to swallow and talk.

Just a Little Goes a Long Way

Pour a little into a small glass, place your nose into the glass and breath in the fumes to clear your nose. Mom would pour it into tiny, shot-sized mini beer mugs that she would use for family gatherings to serve Sambuca or Amaretto.  I prefer a deeper glass because it contains the fumes better. Take small sips as needed for sore throat and as you begin to swallow, and hold in your throat for a second or two before swallowing. This numbs the soreness and helps clear phlegm. A bonus: a few sips helps you sleep. Anisette never fails to make colds easier to get through. But don't over-do it. This stuff is 50% alcohol!

And a warning... although my Mother gave us just a sip of Anisette when we were sick, she didn't let us drink it! A very small sniff and sip and that was it, until we needed it again. Personally, I would not recommend this remedy for the bambini in your family.

Mettiti in sesto presto, amici. (literally: Put yourself together soon, friends)


--Jerry Finzi