GUSTI Blog

Sant'Eustachio Coffee - Can't Find a Better and Fairer...

Sant'Eustachio coffee is an artisanal coffee, made in small batches by Raimondo and Roberto Ricci. They are brothers and the owners of Sant'Eustachio, the legendary coffee bar in the center of Rome, between Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, established in 1938. Raimondo is at the cash register and is in charge of sales; while Roberto oversees the production and the selection of the coffee beans which are, of course, only the top qualities. Roberto travels the world in search of best farms and practices and buys the coffee beans mainly from Brazil, but also from Colombia, Santo Domingo, Guatemala and other countries. Not only do they buy the best coffee, they also work together with the local communities in those countries and support social projects such as schools and hospitals. 90% of the coffee Roberto buys is organic and fair trade. The coffee beans are slowly roasted over wood, a very old and difficult technique: this gives Sant'Eustachio coffee its unique round and full aroma.

Real Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale of Modena - It's All in a Small Bottle.

  Michael White dislikes ubiquitous industrial balsamic vinegar and says there is only one REAL balsamic (left). He recently said to the WSJ: "I can do without all the different types of balsamic vinegars. There's only one real balsamic, and that takes years to age. A sample is taken to the town of Spilamberto, where the consortium is, and they test it and you can only make so many bottles. The huge commercial market in America is all about packaging, and it's caramel color and red wine vinegar and they mix it together with sugar. I also can't stand drizzling with balsamic, it's totally annoying."

We couldn't agree more! Our Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale from Modena is made by Ca Dal Non (grandpa's house, in Italian) and it is certified by the Consorzio of Aceto Balsamico di Modena. The aceto balsamico tradizionale of Modena MUST be bottled in a small (100ml) bottle of the same shape and the bottle MUST be in a box (see picture on the right). If your Aceto Balsamico of Modena does not come in this bottle and in this box, it is not the real thing and Michael White would be very annoyed at you! So would we.

Buy Real San Marzano Tomatoes... from a Merchant You Trust

The president of the Cosorzio San Marzano says that at least 95% of the San Marzano tomatoes in America are not San Marzano.

How do you make sure they are?

First thing you do, you check the tin's label: it MUST say "Pomodoro San Marzano dell'Agro Sarnese Nocerino D.O.P.";

it MUST have the symbol of the Consorzio; it MUST have the symbol of the DOP; 

 

it MUST have a "N° XXXXXXX", which is the Number assigned to the tin by the Consorzio.

But even if all of these apply, the President of the Consorzio says they have seen cases where labels were printed NOT in Italy, completely fake. Of course! Who is here in the USA to watch??? Very complicated!!! So, what do you do?

As always, best thing is to shop from a merchant you trust!!! And look at the price. If it is too good to be true, it is not true!!!

Also, beware that the Consorzio says that San Marzano tomatoes can only come in tins; the tomatoes can only be peeled whole or fillets. Therefore, Edoardo says that if you see the words "puree", "sauce", "chopped", "diced", "organic" (also, not regulated by the Consorzio) on the labels, they cannot be San Marzano. Very complicated. Have questions? Send a picture of the label of your San Marzano and we'll ask the President of the Consorzio what he thinks.

Colatura di Alici is the New Balsamico!!!

Less than a month after celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich revealed to the Wall Street Journal that Colatura di Alici was her magic ingredient, another HUGE food authority, Chef Michael White,  praises Colatura di Alici and says to the same WSJ (what kind coincidence is that???):

"In my kitchen, I need to have Colatura di Alici, which is anchovy juice that comes from Cetara. I hate to use this word, but it's one of these 'umami' foods. It has an all-encompassing flavor profile, amazing in soups or tomato sauce."

At Gustiamo, we really LOVE Colatura and part of me wishes Colatura becomes the new balsamico in America. On the other hand, part of me wishes not. In fact, with fame, a beautiful product like

Aceto Balsamico has become a disgusting sweet colored liquid in grocery stores and supermarket shelves. Conclusion: Let's keep Colatura a secret. Agree???

Thank you Michael J. White for saying to The Wall Street Journal that YOU NEED TO HAVE COLATURA D'ALICI IN YOUR KITCHEN!!! After Lidia Bastianich revealed to the same paper that Colatura is her MAGIC ingredient, this is another wonderful endorsement!!!

Are you a chef and would like know more about Colatura? Call our office and talk Stefano at 718 860 2949!