Category: Blog

Every day I am in search of the authentic taste of simple things, especially after a long morning at work I was craving a good and simple steaming pasta with a tasty but delicate flavor. Of course, I had no doubts what I should have prepared, Spaghetti with Gentile organic sauce!

I decided to use Ma’Kaira spaghetti chitarra because of its nutritional properties. As I was going back to work after lunch, I did not want to feel heavy after eating but I still wanted to get the right amount of energy to keep being productive throughout the day.

Ma’Kaira spaghetti is a great choice, due to the high percentage of fibers and the presence of barley, it is highly digestible. This pasta consists indeed of 90% semolina durum wheat and 10% naked barley grains, whose husk falls easily without any polishing process, leaving a single grain full of nutrient. This makes Ma’Kaira spaghetti very rich in fiber, vitamins and antioxidants.

Since I did not have much time to cook during lunch break, I found a good and healthy alternative way, using Gentile Pappa e Pomodoro ready sauce. This organic sauce is very light but full of nutrients as it consists of Italian vegetables from organic farming that are carefully selected and preserved without any additives. This is also a perfect substitute for those who do not eat meat or do not particularly enjoy eating vegetables.

For a final healthy touch, I added a few drizzles of Laudemio extra virgin olive oil, a high-quality oil produced in the Italian Tuscany region that has a very authentic and fruity taste and pairs very well with Gentile veggie sauce.

This dish of great simplicity only takes 12 minutes to prepare, thus perfect to enjoy during lunch break or in the evening after a long and tough day at work. Thanks to this dish you can experience the authentic and genuine flavor of the Italian land while getting the right amount of energy to continue your day without feeling heaviness in your stomach.

In the middle of this pandemic, we know how hard it can be for foreigners during their quarantine to buy groceries in an easy and accessible way.

Especially for new comers that are still not familiar with the local language or still do not have local credit cards, we have designed a foreign-friendly online shop providing a wide range of Italian delicacies ready to be delivered to your place.

Our shop allows you to shop entirely in English through different payment methods: PayPal, foreign credit cards, and Coinbase Commerce (crypto currencies) and more.

Find more about our range of products on our website and feel free to contact us for any question or curiosity.

Finally we can reach more customers in other countries as well, beyond South Korea, from this week we are launching international shipments to the following countries:

• Australia
• Canada
• China
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• Latvia
• Russia
• Taiwan
• US
• Vietnam

Please note well, we are not shipping cheese, meat and frozen food to the countries mentioned.

However it is possible to order fresh truffles, since we will ship directly from Italy.

For more information send us a message here

Starting from today we have a special offer for you! For every purchase of 2 Spaghetti of our pasta brand La Valle, you will receive one more for free (2+1).

We want you to discover more about this Italian authentic pasta with a convenient price that suits everyone’s needs.  

Spaghetti are made according to traditional techniques that preserve the natural proprieties of the grain and consist of a mixture of 100% GMO free fine durum wheat semolina.

After being processed through bronze dies, this pasta is slowly dried at low temperature. The special climate characteristics and cultivation techniques, together with advanced technical means make La Valle pasta a very unique product rich in starches and proteins. 

With a cooking time of 6 to 10 minutes, Spaghetti go perfectly with tomato-based sauces or garlic condiments, along with oil and chili pepper, the perfect choice for making a delicious pasta at an affordable price!

In the past months we have learnt how to use blockchain technology to provide a much modern approach to the world of food and especially related to the special world of truffles.

Truffles is the finest food in the world, it is scarce and hard to keep for long time.

By tokenized truffle, we can overcome these limits and have a digital truffle that does not change its quality in few weeks, that is not that scarce and that can be moved at the speed of light across the internet.

We call the digital truffle: Trufflemoney and there is a dedicated site to learn and to use it here

Some technical information

Truffle is a token on Stellar Blockchain because of Stellar property, it is really fast and convenient to use.

To start using Truffle you need just a wallet such as (Lobstr, Solar) and to add Trufflemoney trustline (adding as a custom token). In order to complete these operation you need to have at least 3 Lumens. (Stellar main tokens)

Stellar allows you to trade within your wallet any tokens, which means you can buy Trufflemoney within your wallet from anyone who has it, or from Trufflemoney official account. (after you added the trustline)

This feature of Stellar facilitates the natural token exchanges between people using a decentralized approach. However the user is the only responsible for the trade, the user needs to verify the convenience of the trade and he/she is the only responsible for that operation. Keep in mind the token represents a real commodity that has a price in the world. In fact Trufflemoney value reflects the value of Winter Truffle in the world.

The current value for Winter Truffle all over the world fluctuates around 2~3 $ per gram depending on seasons, scarcity and demand.

Some examples

You could buy in advance Trufflemoney to hold it and use it later.

You could buy Trufflemoney to send as gift to someone, who later could redeem for truffles to eat.

You can buy anything on our site using Trufflemoney as $ dollars. (at the moment we offer 1:1 conversion)

Future developments

As importer and distributors of Italian food, we are looking how to reach a wider audience by using technology.

Trufflemoney is a key tool to reach more truffle lovers around the planet.

In order to do this, our team is working to create a network of truffle producers, truffle importers and dealers so that redeeming your Trufflemoney for truffles will be much easier in the future.

Note Well

Our company has participated in the inception of the idea and the technology related to issuing the tokens, however the Trufflemoney project requires great dedication and that is why it is managed exclusively by truffle.money site and organization.

Our company is a sponsor and one of the first shop to accept the digital tokens.

For more information contact us

The new year has just started and we have already made a nice upgrade. Finally our site has got a nice shop which is very foreign friendly comparing to our Korean dedicated online shop.

Why a foreign friendly website?

We know how difficult is for foreigners to do shopping online in Korea, especially for temporary visitors who do not understand the language and who do not have access to the national ids and Korean cards.

Our new shop allows anyone to purchase comfortably using Paypal, credit cards and even Coinbase Commerce (crypto currencies).

Most important the shop is entire in English so our dear foreign friends can now browse the items without language obstacles.

The shop is not just foreign friendly, it is also more focus on global market also with products that we are looking to export from Korea to the world.

For more updates… soon on this site !

With 2021 just being started, we want to send you our best wishes for a happy and healthy new year! Despite the pandemic is not ended yet, we have exciting plans for this year and hopefully we will introduce new Italian brands and products into the Korean market soon.

We will come back to you soon with more details.

Stay safe!

Are you curious where you can enjoy the unique Gentile Pasta di Gragnano in Korea?

Look at the map, plenty of places!

These are not every places using Gentile, since some of the locations are not available on the Google map.

From September to the end of the year our selection of authentic Italian food will be available in the Garosugil trendy area of Gangnam, inside the High Street Italia.

You can learn more about the location on the High Street Italia site https://www.highstreetitalia.com/

Nestled between Monte Lattari and the Amalfi coast in the Campania region, Gragnano has been dedicated to the production of pasta since the 16th century, quickly becoming the true and authentic “city of pasta”.

What makes Gragnano pasta unique in taste and texture is the land in which is produced that benefits from the warm and humid air coming from the sea, perfect for drying pasta slowly and delicately.

This little town was conceived to facilitate every stage of production, in particular the drying of pasta that was done in the streets under the warm Campania sun.

The secret behind the quality and the authenticity of this pasta is the traditional technique used to prepare the dough. The process of creating the pasta has been indeed carefully practiced and curated for hundreds of years.

The first phase of production consists in mixing the durum wheat flour with water coming from the territory. The dough is kneaded until it reaches the right consistency and extruded through bronze forms, which allow it to take the intended shape. The pasta is then dried slowly and naturally at low temperatures, resulting in one of the finest pasta worldwide.

Nowadays, more than 200 different pasta shapes are produced in the town of Gragnano by family-run factories, traveling beyond Italy’s borders to the rest of the world.

In 2010, Gragnano Pasta was granted the Indication of Geographic Protection (IGP) mark by the European Union. The IGP label acknowledges that the quality and the reputation of food is associated to the geographical characteristics of the specific region in which food is produced, making Gragnano the true city of pasta.

Pastificio Gentile is one of the oldest, artisanal pasta factories that significantly contributed to the city of Gragnano’s pasta reputation worldwide.

It was founded in 1876 in the small town of Gragnano known and has been taken over by the Zampino family in the 80s.

Gentile still retains nowadays the artisanal and traditional production methods, paying particular attention to the selection of raw materials.

Gentile’s pasta is indeed particularly popular because of the quality of the Italian durum wheat used and its special way of drying noodles called “Cirillo”, which preserves the aroma and the texture of the pasta.

This method was conceived by the homonymous engineer from Torre Annunziata, in Italy. It is based on the possibility of recreating the same phenomenon of natural drying inside the pasta factories, which exploited the heat of the sun and the force of the wind.

All pasta shapes are bronze drawn, strictly using premium Italian and certified organic semolina. Among the most traditional ones are paccheri or fusilli, which are completely handmade and rolled up with a knitting needle, giving it a helical shape.

Besides providing high-quality pasta, Gentile also produces excellent preserves that retain the intense aroma of the Mediterranean land and the authentic flavor of carefully selected garden products, free of artificial preservatives.

Famous since ancient times for its excellent nutritional properties and its versatility, this old grain has become an essential ingredient of the traditional and natural cuisine.

Originally from Mesopotamia, farro spread widely to other territories because it easily grows in poor soils and it is particularly resistant to the cold weather.

As the author Jared Diamond pointed out in his book “In Guns, Germs, and Steel”, farro is a founder crop and it has always been among us, as being one of the earliest to be grown by humankind. This grain was indeed cultivated in great abundance in Egypt during Pharaonic times. It also played an essential role for Romans because considered a precious bargaining chip and used in marriage rituals and religious ceremonies.

Farro consists of three different grains:

• Einkorn: farro piccolo (Triticum monococcum)
• Emmer: farro medio (Triticum dicoccum)
• Spelt: farro grande (Triticum spelta)

Differently from other kinds of wheat, farro is a “dressed” cereal, as the outer skin of the grain, very rich in fibers, is not removed through the refining process.

For this reason, this grain is an excellent source of proteins and nutrients such as magnesium, zinc and B vitamins.

It is a healthier alternative to rice or other refined grains, as it is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and it plays a fundamental role for a healthy immune system and muscle function.

Even though high in proteins and fibers, farro is low in calories (335 calories for 100g), which makes it very suitable to be combined with other legumes.

Beside its nutritional properties farro is known for its versatility in the kitchen.

It can be found in shops in two different forms: dehusked farro and pearled farro, which is devoid of the bran and cooks in a shorter time compared to the dehusked farro that can take around 45 minutes.

With a chewy texture and a nutty flavor, it can be eaten alone, used as wheat or as an ingredient to be added to salads, soups, stews and risotto, in harmony with other cereals and legumes. Its delicate and neutral taste makes it perfect for both cold and warm dishes.

Puffed farro may also be eaten for breakfast such as granola or muesli, mixed with fresh fruit and honey, along with yogurt, milk or cream.

Located on the fertile land of the Italian region Abruzzo, Casino di Caprafico produces premium quality farro, following the traditional farming methods of the Mediterranean cuisine.

Caprafico Farro Linguine consists of 100% wholemeal farro, which is stone milled and dried at low temperature, making it easier to be tolerated by people with mild gluten allergies.

For a first taste, it is recommended to use a simple dressing, with merely extra virgin olive oil and grated Parmesan cheese or it also can be enjoyed with a savory Genovese pesto.

The cooking time is about 4 minutes. It is recommended to cook the pasta in plenty of water and draining it even before the cooking is “al dente”.

San Marzano tomato, known as the “king of tomatoes”, originates from the small town of San Marzano sul Sarno in the Campania region, in Southern Italy.

It is cultivated in the volcanic farmlands surrounding Naples and Salerno, at the foot of Vesuvius, from which it takes its sweet flavor and its distinctive intense aroma.

This particular territory characterized by a sea mild climate and a warm volcanic soil, fanned with sea breezes coming from the Gulf of Naples, is determinant for ensuring the quality of San Marzano tomatoes. In 1996 these lands were indeed awarded the Designation of Protected Origin (PDO) by the European Union, identifying and protecting products that are produced and processed in a specific geographical area.

What differentiates San Marzano from other kinds of tomatoes is the traditional technique adopted. The harvest usually takes place from July and September. Once the plants have matured, they are moved to the fields, hand-tied to wooden stakes. When the tomatoes are sun-ripened, they are picked by hand and steam peeled before being placed in jars, without any additional preservatives.

With a bright red color and an elongated shape, San Marzano peels easily and is characterized by an almost seedless, juicy flesh and thick skin. It is very low in acidity and it is distinguished by a delicate and harmonious bittersweet taste. San Marzano’s unique flavor keeps for a long time, even during preservation.

Its characteristics render San Marzano ideal for making sauces and preserves. It goes indeed very well with pasta, because it “literally sticks to the pasta”. Thanks to its sweetness and intense flavor, this tomato is commonly used for a great variety of dishes and creates a perfect balance with rich meats and cheeses. In addition, San Marzano sauce has been designated as the only variety that can be used for making the authentic Neapolitan pizza.

Famous for the high-quality, Gentile company’s San Marzano tomatoes are dried naturally in the sun, preserving the distinctive aromas of the Southern Mediterranean land.

These premium tomatoes are grown in San Marzano and are preserved in highly-quality extra virgin olive oil with selected aromas, such as oregano, pepper, salt and wine vinegar. This method of preservation ensures their unique sapid and dense flavor, and their tender texture.

Gentile dried tomatoes can be simply enjoyed on a lightly baked slice of bread as an appetizer or used as an ingredient for delicious recipes, adding flavor to pasta and mixed vegetables.

Siccagno is a unique variety of tomato that grows in the region of Sicily, in Southern Italy, especially in the communes of Valledolmo, Sclafani Bagni, Alia Vallelunga and Villalba. It is characterized by the special cultivation technique adopted and its high nutritional properties.

This tomato is traditionally cultivated between March and June and harvested from July to August. In the past, Siccagno was used to produce an excellent concentrate. The whole family, including children participated in the harvest and transformation. In order to make the tomato paste, the puree was left to dry under the sun on wooden boards. After being repeatedly turned over, it was rolled up by hand and conserved with oil.

Due to the dry and warm climate of the territory, the Siccagno plant grows in arid soil without irrigation.

Despite this, the plant is able to produce tomatoes with great qualitative characteristics and nutritional values. Siccagno is indeed highly rich in potassium, which renders the tomato very delicate and sweet in taste.

This is possible thanks to the specific features of the territory in which it is cultivated. The soil is highly concentrated in clays and sandy components that allow an excellent soil water self-regulation. In addition, the heat of the sun and the force of the north winds maintain the atmospheric moisture at the right level for tomatoes to grow.

This cultivation technique also minimizes the need for fertilization and the use of pesticides.

Siccagno tomato is small in size and elongated in shape. Thanks to the characteristics of the soil in which the tomatoes grow, it is particularly rich in antioxidants and nutrients, such as vitamins A and C and lycopene, which is very low in calories.

In the kitchen, Siccagno tomato is perfect for fresh consumption. Due to its small size and its firm and meaty texture, it is well suited for preparing tomato sauce and puree. Thanks to its sweet and delicate taste, it is excellent for seasoning pasta, without the addition of salt, conferring the typical Mediterranean flavor to your dishes. This tomato is also great for preparing sun-dried tomatoes to be eaten as an appetizer or added to delicious recipes.

Siccagno tomato sauce is produced by Cooperativa Rinascita in Valledolmo, Palermo, in line with the quality standards of organic products. In 2008, the quality of Rinascita production, expression of the Mediterranean cuisine, was ranked among the top ten Italian tomato sauces by Gambero Rosso.

Schito purple artichoke is widely known since the Ancient Roman time for its great health benefits and its excellent quality.

A subtype of the Romanesco variety, it differentiates from other kind of artichokes for its special delicate green color shaded with purple and its high nutritional properties.

It originates from a small locality of Castellamare di Stabia, in the region of Campania, known as the “Schito garden”, which is particular prone to horticulture.

The harvest occurs between February and May, according to the trend of the season.

For this reason, Schito artichoke is often associated with the Easter festivity. It is very likely to be seen filling the tables of several families next to other traditional meals. In addition, they can always be found roasting at roadside stands by local farmers in the villages.

Another of its peculiarities is the ancient cultivation technique adopted, namely the use of small homemade terracotta bowls that cover and protect the artichoke from direct sunlight. This procedure renders the vegetable very tender and light in color. The precocity of its production time is caused by the particular mildness of the climate and by the habit of regenerating the plants every year.

This artichoke is considered among the finest kinds due to its particular characteristics. It is indeed devoid of thorns and rich in iron and potassium, absorbed from the volcanic soil, which makes it very savory in taste. It contains an active substance called cynarine that helps lowering cholesterol, reducing diuresis and bile secretion. Beside protecting your livers, this artichoke is also among the vegetables with the highest fiber content, a cure-all remedy for intestinal regularity.

In the kitchen, Schito artichoke is also known for its great versatility. It can be deliciously used in many recipes, from the starter to the second course. The most popular and traditional way to prepare this artichoke is to roast it on the grill in its entirety. When the artichoke is cooked, usually after around 30 minutes, it is cleaned of the scorched leaves and seasoned with salt, pepper and parsley, fresh garlic and a drizzle of oil. It can perfectly accompany cheese and meat-based dishes and wonderfully add flavor to your salads.

The most refined Schito artichokes are produced by the Gentile Preserves with rich extra virgin olive oil. Gentile artichokes retain the intense aroma of the Mediterranean land and the authentic flavor of carefully selected garden products, free of artificial preservatives, ready to brighten your tables.

Dear friends,

The last few months we have seen the coronavirus outbreak disrupting countries and businesses worldwide.

In South Korea the situation seems more in control and we applaud the Korean government and the whole health officials for achieving it and we wish fast and complete recovery to the problem soon.

In Italy, the country we work with, the situation is much worse. Italy has become the center of European outbreak as the news report exstensively.

We would like to reassure our customers that despite the situation in Italy, we have enough stock and more products are expected to land to Korea in the coming months. Also the current Italian problems do not affect Italian companies logistic and production.

Be safe everyone!

In this video in Korean a basic explanation of some fresh truffles we bring from italy.

In February we have finally received the new pasta made by Tenuta La Valle, which we will refer from now on as La Valle for easy life.

La Valle is a producer of grain and pasta. The company supervises and executes every step in the pasta creation.

The production is an healthy and delicious pasta to be enjoyed daily.

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For the launch of La Valle in Korea we have added Spaghetti and Tortiglioni.

In the coming weeks or months we will add more items from La Valle.

INGREDIENTS FOR 4 SERVINGS : 6 eggs;50 g. grated Parmigiano Reggiano chees;50 g. chopped onion;oil as required; butter as required;10 g. Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.

Whisk the eggs with the grated Prmigiano Reggiano cheese in a bowl. Allow the onion to brown slightly with a knob of butter in a pan, then add the eggs, season with salt to taste and mix well.

Pour the oil into a frying pan and heat. Now place spoonfuls of the egg mixture into the boiling oil to form cakes. Brown them on both sides.

Place the cakes on kitchen paper to eliminate the excess oil, then arrange them on a serving dish and pour a few drops of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena on each. Serve hot.