The (pronounced [kiˈnɔtto], roughly "key-NAWT-toe") is a small bitter citrus fruit from the chinotto, or "myrtle-leaved" orange tree (Citrus aurantium var. myrtifolia). The tree grows to a height of 3m and can be found in Liguria, Tuscany, Sicily and Calabria regions of Italy. The chinotto is an essential flavor component of most Italian bitter amari digestifs, and of the popular Campari liqueur.

The name chinotto is derived from China, from where the tree was thought to originate.

Chinotto drinks

Chinotto is a non-alcoholic drink produced from the juice of the Citrus myrtifolia fruit (called "Chinotto" in Italian) and other herb extracts and aromatics. It is dark in colour and the appearance is similar to that of Coca-Cola, but Chinotto's taste has more of a dry flavour. One of its unique attributes is that it tastes bitter and sweet at the same time. It is most commonly consumed before meals because it opens the palate in order to eat more food during a meal. Its bitter/sweet taste is sometimes described as similar to Campari.

Chinotto soda dates back to the 1950s, and is produced locally in Italy by different small producers. It is predominantly consumed in Italy and Malta, but recently San Pellegrino, the carbonated water company, has started mass production and export in collaboration with Nestlé, with the brand name "Chinò", and Coca-Cola produces it under the brand name Fanta Chinotto.

The origin of Chinotto are unclear. San Pellegrino claims to have invented Chinotto in 1932, and Neri (Capranica Viterbo) claimed to have made and marketed Chinotto first in 1949. Another famous historical Chinotto brand was Recoaro, which was the best-selling Chinotto in the 1950s.

Similar Chinotto-like drinks are manufactured in countries outside Italy. For example, Kinnie is a Chinotto-like soft drink made in Malta.

Chinotto is also fairly common in Italian immigrant communities worldwide. There are local versions of the drink in certain communities, for example the Brio brand of Canada. In Australia, Chinotto is also sold under the Bisleri brand (owned by Coca-Cola Amatil) and is available in most supermarkets and many Italian restaurants.

In Venezuela, a popular lemon-lime soda is sold under the brand Chinotto, also owned by The Coca-Cola Company.

See also

• Kinnie

External links

• www.agraria.org Better photo of fruit and flowers
• Cpenti's chinotto website Information about Chinotto .
• Kinnie

References