Chinotto

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Chinotto / Myrtle-leaved orange

Chinotti growing on a tree

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Sapindales
Family:	Rutaceae
Genus:	Citrus
Species:	C. aurantium

Binomial name

Citrus aurantium
var. myrtifolia (Ker-Gawl)

A Chinotto tree

It has been suggested that Myrtle-leaved orange be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

The chinotto (help·info) (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.^[1]

1 Chinotto drinks
2 See also
3 External links
4 References

[edit] Chinotto drinks

A soft drink by the same name (chinotto)^photo is produced from the juice from the chinotto fruit and herb extracts similar to how Kinnie is made in Malta. Its appearance is similar to that of Coca-Cola. 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 chinotto drink is also fairly common in Italian immigrant communities worldwide. There are also 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.