The 5 (really) popular products from Marseille
Marseille is not just about soap! Even though the latter is undoubtedly our most internationally known product, other local specialties are eager to follow in its footsteps. Discover the Marseille products that are a hit in Marseille, before conquering the world.
LA CAGOLE, THE CABANON BEER
LA CAGOLE, THE CABANON BEER
The "Cagole" was originally a fishmonger, symbol of a whimsical and colorful Marseille woman. But it's also a famous expression in Marseille, used to describe someone who has overdone their makeup or who speaks rudely. But now, it's also a beer, 100% Marseille-made, with a legend saying it was born during an aperitif in a cabanon in Sormiou among childhood friends. Just this story makes us want to taste it. So yes, it's a blonde. But as they say, "it's not a bland blonde", but it's generous, flavorful, and with character. A true Marseille girl! Note that from a social phenomenon studied throughout France, the Cagole of Marseille has become a characterful blonde that makes the whole world salivate. And I'm not talking about its iconic muse who is the logo. It is already recognized everywhere and displayed like a work of art. Well, you know what to do: a cooler, a six-pack of Cagole de Marseille, and off to Sormiou!
THE MARSEILLE SAUSAGE
As its name suggests, the Marseille Sausage is a sausage with the Marseille accent. That's normal, it's pure Marseille. This delicious culinary specialty delicately flavored with anise is the star of summer barbecues. It's also a beautiful Marseille story, one of those that creates a legend. Imagine: a barbecue on a summer evening in Marseille and this dialogue between a father and his son. Jacques, the father, throws out the idea as a joke, "We have the Toulouse sausage, the Italian one, the Morteau one, so why shouldn't we have the Marseille Sausage?! As if we, in Marseille, were more foolish than the others." And this challenge to the world will be accomplished by his son at the end of the summer of 2011. An aniseed sausage then, after unsuccessfully trying the Pastis-flavored one. This anise, so characteristic of our beautiful and warm summer evenings, from aperitifs to barbecues, we have adopted the Marseille Sausage.
THE FADA COLA
" A Marseille cola? Are you crazy or what?". Well, it does exist, and you'd have to be crazy to miss out on it. Fada Cola is a 100% Marseille cola. And why wouldn't we have a cola in Marseille after all? Now it's done, and well done at that. Just like their very nice website "ouèbe," which is really worth a visit. Fada Cola fully embraces the Marseille image, self-mockery included. At Fadacola, everything is enjoyed, from the illustrations (with the vintage postcard vibe), to the drawing with a Marseille accent that smells like Provence. In the end, you feel like singing along with your colleagues to their slogan "if you don't drink Fada, you're not from Marseille!".
CRYSTAL ANISE
Without any transition, we continue in the same vein with the emblematic aniseed liqueur of Provence, Crystal Anis. Easily recognizable by its hexagonal bottle and label reminiscent of parchment, it holds a prominent place in all worthy bars. Crystal Anis is above all a family story, that of Pascual and Manuel Liminana, Spaniards fleeing the crisis at the end of the 19th century. First in Algeria, where they adapted the Iberian national drink, the "Paloma," to the demand of their compatriots, and success was immediate. Later, in 1962, in Marseille, they founded their factory, which is still in operation today. It is also one of the last ones producing our Pastis within the city walls of Marseille.
OUIDI, THE OTHER MARSEILLE SAUSAGE WITH CBD
Do you know about Ouidi? Behind this cute cartoonish name (one almost imagines a bear named Ouidi), hides another Marseille sausage. The competition is tough indeed. Are you familiar with CBD? It's legal cannabis, to put it simply, with no psychoactive effects, just the medical, relaxing ones. So, the idea here is to combine a good Marseille sausage with another herb from Provence. Something a bit spicy for the barbecues, you know. The idea comes from a Marseillais, Luca Morand, who opened his butcher shop on Rue d'Endoume, called Boucherie LM. Again, the idea was born during a barbecue on a summer evening. Enjoy it as summer approaches, you'll have lots of ideas! Well, I don't know about you, but all this has made me hungry.