Meet the Makers: Roman artisans

Italian food has always been a beacon of artisan standards and Rome has been a mecca for foodies and chefs for generations. Getting to know a few of the makers behind the brands in Rome B.I.T.E. Box is just a reminder of how those traditions continue.

So let’s meet a few of them . . .

Located inside a building from the 1500s the modern café was started in 1938. This spot however was a café way back in the 1800s known as Caffe e Latte. Today it remains a popular spot with locals and visitors. Located only a few steps away from the Pantheon it is a great spot for a quick caffeine jolt and a little people watching.

The Ricci brothers purchased the business in 1999 and have stayed dedicated to the slow roast process and the use of fair trade coffee. Using a traditional wood-burning process that gently roasts the beans helps avoid burning and ruining the flavor.

Starting with great beans is only part of the equation. The baristas at Sant Eustachio complete the process making one of the best espressos in town. They actually add a few teaspoons of sugar to the first drops of espresso in your cup. This helps create a frothy paste that the rest of the coffee is added to in order to create a smooth cup of espresso. If you don’t want sugar be sure to ask for yours ‘senza zucchero’.  Sugar or not, you are going to love this coffee.

As has happened for centuries, products and food from the countryside make their way into Rome. Located on a hill between Montefiascone and Lake Bolsena, Il Molino continues the tradition. This family-owned company still runs from the property that has been handed down for generations.

The olives grown there are actually milled right on-site to create a delicious organic olive oil. Holding DOP Tuscia certification you can rest assured you are getting the best. The owner, Annalisa Torzilli, and her team get to know the other farms they source from in order to ensure the same care and craft goes into each product. Working with small and medium-sized farms committed to high quality helps them create jams, pates, and spreads that bring a unique taste of Lazio to your home.

And if you want to see the farm in action you can actually stay on site. Two of the farmhouses on the property are available for weekly rental.

When a product tastes this good and the back story is so beautiful, you can’t help falling in love. Italianavera’s owner, Diana, grew up among the tomato fields of San Marzano watching her female relatives and neighbors create delicious dishes from the bounty of the earth. As a young woman herself those memories inspired her to create a brand that honors the flavors of the land and the women who kept traditions alive.

Each of Italianvera’s products is unforgettable in flavor and takes me back to a place we’ve visited. Her desire to “tell the simplicity of an everyday life made up of good things” is what the country and culture is all about. Sitting down to a delicious meal is one of the best ways to do that.

These are just a few of the amazing makers in your box and available from Rome. If you have a favorite or one you would like to learn more about let us know!