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Bubbling Over

The many meanings of seltzer, from thirst quencher to missile decoy

by
Sara Ivry
August 06, 2007
(Shutterstock)
(Shutterstock)


What does seltzer have to do with scurvy, vaudeville, or Israel’s War of Independence? Barry Joseph, “the Effervescent Jew,” may be the only one out there with the answer.

Joseph is the go-to guy for all manner of seltzer fact and apocrypha. He is writing a comprehensive history that will start four billion years ago and end with an appendix of egg cream recipes. We spoke to him last summer, when he offered up his wisdom, and a glass of cold bubbly. In the heat of the summer, it seems fitting to re-visit that conversation.

Sara Ivry is the host of Vox Tablet, Tablet Magazine’s weekly podcast. Follow her on Twitter @saraivry.

Sara Ivry is the host of Vox Tablet, Tablet Magazine’s weekly podcast. Follow her on Twitter@saraivry.