All the gourmet secrets of ... the Vichy pastille!
Initially, a drug
Invented in 1825 by the French chemist Jean-Pierre-Joseph D'Arcet, the pastille gingham was originally considered as a drug. It concentrated in fact the main virtues of the waters of the spa, known for their benefits on the body especially for the treatment of liver diseases and digestive disorders. In 1855, the first pastillery of gingham is created near the Célestins. And it is a year later that she displays her famous octagonal shapetoday has become its hallmark. At that time, it is sold only to gingham and in pharmacy. Very appreciated by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napléon III, the pellets gingham were then recognized by a imperial decree, as an original product.
Today, a greed
In 1914, the Union of Pharmacists sues a confectionery company that wants to sell pellets freely gingham. But they lose, to the delight of the confectioners ... Then began the industrial manufacture of pellets, in 1954. Now, the pellet gingham comes in several flavors: mint, anise and lemon. Since 1990, a light version is even proposed to meet the new demands of consumers: the lozenge Sugar free.
The manufacture of the Vichy pellet
At first, the mineral salts thermal water, composed of sodium bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, lithium and trace elements, are extracted and are then dried and crushed before being mixed with sugar and glucose. The paste obtained from this mixture is air dried and then perfumed with a natural aroma, mint, lemon or anise. She finally goes into a tablet press, which will give her its very famous octagonal shape, printed with the brand gingham.
