In our house growing up there was always a jar of this delicious ‘Galeffi’ white fizzy crystals. A large jar with a blue cobalt lid, an elegant lady drinking a small glass. It would be sitting near the sink and in visible sight. I wonder how many of you have come across this before?

Let me explain what it is. ‘Galeffi Effervescente’, is made up of a traditional sodium bicarbonate powder. It helps and aids in acid digestion, heartburn and even upset tummy. You take a small glass of water and add in two teaspoons of these white hailstone like strands, stir and drink whilst it is bubbling away frantically. It is incredibly fast acting and tastes a little lemony too, very refreshing. Many years ago in Italy this was only offered to the rich and wealthy of the house.

An incredible help to any tummy trouble. I still have my jar at home, sitting in the top of my cupboard away from little hands that also love it very much. It’s funny what items bring back memories, but this jar really does. Growing up we would have huge very Italian family gatherings. My family would sit around our family table. Extra tables were pushed together and more chairs were squished, into accommodate all who visited. There was always a grown ups table and one for all the children, (for my sister and I and all our cousins). Vino would be flowing, pasta would be dished up followed by meat and salad, then we would squeeze in a little pudding. Then cheese, raw fennel and nuts to finish us off. Now you can see why we would need our ‘Galeffi’.

I remember so clearly being only little and we would nibble ‘Galeffi’ straight from the jar. Mum would put two or three small pieces into each of mine and my sisters hands. We would place them one at a time onto our tongue and stick it out and let it fizz!! We would try and watch and go a little cross eyed too. Great fun but not lady like at all.

We have always called this magic jar, ‘La Citrata’, I can only presume it is a southern dialect for the ‘Galeffi’ . You can only find this on line or in very good Italian deli’s. So when you are next out and about, try and hunt out a traditional Italian family jewel, that is still used today in most Italian homes.
Carmela x