Today my reflection begins by reading the rant of a friend, Piero Romano, producer of extra virgin olive oil in Stroud, Crotone. I knew him well, reading his words in an email that he sent me long ago now.

"Ciao to Cinzia, how are you? Sai, I started to walk the road of olive oil I wanted to focus on quality, convinced that, who works well, with the time to be recognized. But alas I had considered a greater god who reigns supreme even in the food world. I speak of the God of Money, undisputed king, that, with his power, relegates the humiliating quality in a corner! But not only, the greatest wonder was the disappointment of the medium that haute cuisine, Despite claims to be a champion of quality, ends to adopt very questionable holistic choices. "

Words of a knee put manufacturer like many because of a market of dubious origin and quality products, that the lack of oils culture, fertile soil in the consumer choices diverted, adversely affects.

In addition, the crisis that we live in is an accomplice to Do not argue choices, often exclusively dictated by ridiculous prices that are not absolute correspondence in the real production costs.

The sad part is completed by part of the restaurant, that, although it elects promoter of quality, uses behind the scenes, and not only, mediocre products.

Words and chopped ritritate, reissued by people like me, He loves and lives the world of productions, and that, having the opportunity to listen to producers inconvenience, He cares about their fate.

the consumatrice, by passionate, and communicator of the territory, I express my thoughts vote, in the hope that sooner or later, These words are not just empty words.

I propose again below my speech in the latest edition of Oil Workshop, during which I expressed very specific requests to help consumers towards a more informed choice of olive oils:

• For Communicators I ask more simplicity in the words. often I insist on this concept because what is really important is to make the earth good culture in simple terms, to reach people. Consumers still call quality olive oil, "The good oil". The term 'extra virgin' oil now in vogue, to most people is still unknown (evo: andxtra inadult d 'theiron).

• To Olivicoltori degustativi ask you to organize more events to tell people their oils. As Luigi Veronelli said: “The oil like wine. The olive tree as the vine."In addition to" Open Cellars "why not" open Oleifici ".

• At Wine I ask you to create a corner for an "oil shop" that allows the tasting of oils.

• For Restaurateurs I ask you to tell the olive oils that are brought to the table exactly as it does for wine, just ask the manufacturers data sheets, or even better, train workers in a room with taster courses for oil. In addition, I would like to see on the tables, as is already the case for wines, of the “oils cards of local olive oil” with informative pills that present briefly the characteristics of the varieties. Another thing I'd like to see me bring the restaurant, It is a small bottle of local olive oil, that “I would use during the meal, I would pay the bill at a promotional price, and that would take me home. "

• But I ask something also of Consumers. To be more curious to try the olive oils, we have so many varieties. Despite our 530 Italian cultivars and more, still we call the singular olive oil. When in doubt, just in case, We should move towards the DOP. Other advice, when you are on vacation take the opportunity to visit a local agricultural reality. In addition to living a unique experience, you will be much more aware of the products you will consume.

I conclude by recalling that, two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil per day, they are an effective medical aid to combat cardiovascular diseases.

Ora bacchetto! Calmi, sto scherzando! 😉 Lungi da me usare qualsiasi tipo di bacchetta verso qualcuno! It’ anche vero però, che davanti a certe situazioni, non riesco proprio a non dire la mia! Non è una questione di puntiglio, It is that it is time we all learn to get serious in promoting the land and its resources, also because, if you look around, There remains only one!

Ognuno di noi, in his own way, Can anything be done to our economy, to promote our products, to raise awareness of the richness and beauty of our land. The consumer may very, starting to choose where and how to shop, paying attention to seasonality, label, and provenance. I know it is a time of crisis, but buying less, and more quality, It is good for us and our Italian.

The wheel that turned our economic system, by now, is you are stopping! Right now, are crucial synergies, doing well together! If someone believes, that running alone things can andargli good long, the illusion! Who runs alone, receives about poi, only remains!

Having said, I will make mention of some episodes that made me turn up their noses at my days spent in Crotone. These are situations in which one often encounters in Italy; We are a country rich in resources abroad envy us, but unfortunately we have not yet learned to value them as they deserve.

• 1′ Case – I love breakfast, It is my favorite meal. A Crotone, land of great productions, in a three star hotel I've stayed, the first morning ready to enjoy what 'I thought' I expected, I found myself in front of really sad packaged products. Almost nothing of the territory, and no trace of fresh fruit; for me that love is a real affront. Offering more fruit, both in hotels and in restaurants, you could do a lot for farmers!

• 2′ Case – During an afternoon, between one visit and another, I stopped for a drink. Well, since I was a little 'undecided, I asked some advice to the person who had come to take the order (also to hear what he would have offered me). The response was: “He wants a spritz?"But I said no! You should know that it is a Calabrian typical drink non-alcoholic coffee made with spring water of Mount Covello, situated in the territory of Girifalco in the province of Catanzaro. And 'perfect for every hour, these aunt, and taste really nice. E 'on'brasilena”. Why not offer the! Obviously Did I stressed, and I ordered.

• 3'Case - much I love ice cream, if then matched fruit is a real meal. Well, I could not believe my eyes when one day and ordered a similar, I received a bowl with peaches in syrup! Peaches in syrup in August?! us! Say no more ...

• 4'Case - Calabria, land of great oils. "But we want to put them on the tables!"I had to say precisely the same words all'addetta the hall who took care of the service. Moreover it would be important not to fill bottles with other oils with known labels, also because, looking at the bottle was, It is easy to see if it happens. Here come into because the famous anti-filler cap, alas rejected. The one is to rely on the seriousness of the restaurateur.

Another thing I'd like to see me bring the restaurant, It is a small bottle of local olive oil, that “I would use during the meal, I would pay the bill at a promotional price, and that would take me home.” Same thing I would like to see applied to the wine you do not end up consuming, given the proper limitations of the Highway Code.

In addition, I would like to see on the tables, as is already the case for wines, of the “oils cards of local olive oil” with informative pills that present briefly the characteristics of the varieties. Here I make a note on the Local Action Group of Crotone, the Gal Kroton, that in a few days will present the paper of olive oils adhering to their local food system.

That said, remembering that in Italy we have over 530 cultivars of olives, much is being done, but much can still be with the commitment of all, with the help of the administrations, and with the right local communication.

Launch my outlet here, but do not think, I do wherever I be given the opportunity. As during the first 'edition of the "Fair of Excellence Strongolesi" organized dall'operosa Pro Loco, and it was followed by a debate coordinated by journalist Giuseppe de Pipita "The Crotonese".

Invited to the table, after the greetings sent via a message from President of Calabria Giuseppe Scopelliti, and the presence of – Vincenzo Pepparelli President of the Chamber of Commerce of Crotone, Christmas Carvelli President Gal Kroton, Mayor Michael Laurenzano Strongoli, Simona Mancuso Municipal Councilor for productive activities and Francesco Fiorita minority leader of Strongoli City Council – I told my, as a blogger communicator of the territory and its producers, on what could be done starting with these small things that I highlighted earlier. As for the aid to producers, it streamlining the bureaucratic part to which they are heavily subjected, and l 'help to support them in the expenses for participation in fairs and promotional events, It would be welcome.

Siamo un paese ricco di risorse che all’estero ci invidiano, quindi forza, sta a tutti noi valorizzarle!