Vichy Pastilles facts for kids
A box of Vichy Pastilles.
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| Type | Confectionery |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | France |
| Region or state | Vichy |
Vichy Pastilles (French: pastilles Vichy) are a special French candy. They were first created in 1825. These candies are made in the town of Vichy in central France. You can easily spot them because they are white and shaped like an octagon. Each pastille has the word "Vichy" written on it in capital letters.
Who Owns Vichy Pastilles?
The company that makes Vichy Pastilles has changed hands several times. In 1940, the brand belonged to the Vichy-État Company. Later, in 2003, a company called Cadbury France bought it. Cadbury France is part of a bigger company called Cadbury.
After that, the brand became part of Kraft Foods. This company is now known as Mondelez International. In 2016, a French company called Eurazeo bought Vichy Pastilles. They paid 250 million Euros for the brand.
The History of Vichy Pastilles
The first Vichy Pastilles were made in 1825. They were created in Vichy, a town known for its special spring water. At first, around 1839, these candies were made only from bicarbonate of soda. People took them to help with their digestion. It is said that Empress Eugénie de Montijo really liked them.
Later, the pastilles were made using mineral salts. These salts came from the local spring water in Vichy. Today, Vichy Pastilles also have sugar in them. They come in different flavors like mint, lemon, or aniseed.
A famous French writer, Guy de Maupassant, even mentioned the pastilles in his short story, The Magic Couch.
During World War II, the government in France at that time was called Vichy France. They used Vichy Pastilles to help promote their image. By August 1942, shops in Vichy would give these candies to customers. This happened even when other foods were hard to get because of rationing. To make sure there were enough pastilles, the mayor of Vichy even had them marked as "cheese" on ration cards.
Some people have written about how the use of these candies during that time affected how people felt about them.
See also
In Spanish: Vichy (pastillas) para niños
