Good Stuff and lots of it! This latest list of fine things to sip and savour comes from contributor Judith Schrut, recently invited to London’s Welcome Italia Food Festival. Enjoy.
Italy in London! Who could ask for more? Not I, after spending one heck of a delicious afternoon at Welcome Italia. This annual London taste fest of Italian products and cuisine comes complete with Pop-up mozzarella bar, chef demos, caffè, vino and extra virgin olive oil tasting, tomatoes of all shapes and sizes, grains from mountain meadows and bread and cakes fresh outta Mamma’s oven.
Torpedino is a brand new variety of tomato produced from mini San Marzano and Camone tomatoes by family farmers in the Fondi region. Who knew? And what a multi-sensory treat they are. Perfectly named, these “little torpedoes” are red, juicy and intensely sweet, enrobed in matt velvet skins and tingling with that indescribable just picked tomato aroma. Savour some at Torpedino.it.
Farmhouse foods from Colle della Croce
Colle della Croce has for centuries been an Azienda Agricola, a family farm in a hill village northeast of Rome, an area lush with fruit orchards, olive groves and grain fields. These days the farm is run by Laura, Daniella, Vincenzo (pictured) and their brood. Combining time tested traditions with modern agricultural techniques the family produces a mouthwatering range of sauces, preserves, biscuits, olive ois, honey and 25— yes, 25!— varieties of marmalade. I fell in love with Laura’s heavenly ciambelline, sugar cookie rings flavoured with lemon, olive oil and red wine, and Colle della Croce’s limoni al sale– lemons preserved in brine— guaranteed to give a unique flavour to fish, veggies and other dishes. Find out more at www.colledellacroce.it.
This was a new one for me– artisanal wine jelly. The Guidoni family makes it in five flavours: pure Syrah, pure Sauvignon, Malvasia with pear, Sangiovese with redcurrants and, last but not least, Chardonnay with red pepper and chilli. The jellies can be savoured on their own but are even better paired with cheese, beef, lamb or game. Check out Guidoni’s products at www.lggelatine.it.
An outstanding feature of Welcome Italia is the omnipresent aroma of fresh roasted coffee hanging in the air and the endless cups of espresso visitors are encouraged to sample.
Kimbo leads the coffee pack. Apparently, it all started in Naples….over 50 years ago when brothers Frances, Gerardo and Elio Rubino began roasting coffee in their father’s homey bakery. Nowadays Kimbo sells its famous coffee and top notch beans around the world. They also offer professional barista training, branded crockery, grinders and machines including the traditional Neapolitan Cuccuma ‘flip’ coffee pot. Read all about Kimbo’s story and range at www.kimbo.co.uk.
Tamìa Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
After tasting each of Tamìa’s three varieties of splendidly intense extra virgin olive oil, I understood why this small label has been awarded the coveted designation of origin (DOP) certificate and a load of prestigious prizes. These include “Best in the World” at both the New York and LA International Olive Oil Competitions.
Tamìa oils are pressed from handpicked prime olives grown in the ancient mountain groves of Tuscia, a little known Italian region tucked between Tuscany and Umbria. Tuscia’s climate and fertile soil of volcanic origin are ideal for growing superb olives. All three Tamìa varieties (iron, green and gold) come dressed in strikingly elegant bottles.
This year’s Welcome Italia Festival took place at the Royal Horticultural Halls, Lindley Hall, Elverton Street, SW1P 2PB, and was sponsored by the Italian Chamber of Commerce for the UK. A number of complimentary tickets are available for the annual festival so be sure to request yours next year. Visit welcome-italia.co.uk.
