Our recommendation – for over 30 years
The Serni family, which is based in Bolgheri, close to Castagneto Carducci in the Maremma area of Tuscany, has been “purveyor to the court” of our house olive oil for 32 years. This precious oil is only available at Daniele and is highly sought-after by those in the know. The olive oil is cold pressed (as you would expect!) and therefore suitable for using both hot and cold.
The olive trees grow in the immediate vicinity of the oil mill and are not sprayed. This is the way it has always been, which is also why the farm is not certified organic – something which would cause a lot of hassle, drive up costs, and ultimately do nothing to change the oil’s exquisite taste. This is because how an oil tastes is entirely down to the quality of the raw material – the olives – followed by dry and gentle pressing.
Age-old traditions and a state-of-the-art Swiss press, incidentally.
After being washed, the olives are carefully dried and sent for further processing without process water. The subsequent cold extraction is carried out in the absence of air (on a state-of-the-art Swiss press, incidentally) to guarantee maximum flavour. This shows that age-old traditions can be upheld while remaining open to modern technology – for the benefit of the end product and to the delight of its consumers.
Il Boschetto olive oil
Take … premium quality olive oil from Tuscany and enrich with choice spices and natural flavourings such as lemon, peperoncino or garlic.
The result: The infusions of Il Boschetto, based in the Maremma, breathe an “Italian” spirit into a wide range of dishes when the needed ingredients are not readily available.
Extracts from many kilograms of premium ingredients, meticulous and fresh preparation, and balanced quantities keep the oils from being over-seasoned or over-salted: The aromas still bring something to the dish, but are not overbearing.
The family business also produces other aromatic culinary aids in the form of herb and spice mixes of the highest quality, which are similarly available from Daniele.