Biadina

Biadina is an Italian amaro variety that originated and is still mainly consumed in Lucca. It is a bitter, amber-colored liqueur that is made with long maceration of various botanicals such as chicona. The legend of its origin says that the drink was invented in the 19th century at a market in Lucca.

Tista Nardini had a shop at the Piazza San Michele and would offer the drink to the merchants. The name stems from biada (feed given to horses), and Tista would serve the drink with the often quoted phrase: "Biada for the horses, and a biadina for the merchant." Traditionally, the liqueur is enjoyed as a digestif, and it is often served with some pine nuts.