Aromatic herbs, flowers and saffron

The valleys and meadows of Vallagarina are the ideal environment for the growth, cultivation and collection of aromatic herbs and spices, real daughters of nature.

The wide variety of climates and natural environments that can be found in Vallagarina, moving even just a few kilometers, gives us numerous aromatic herbs and spices that can offer an extra touch to our dishes.

In Val di Gresta, but also in the Valli del Leno and in Monte Baldo Natural Park, also called the “Garden of Italy”, numerous species of medicinal herbs grow such as mint, lemon balm, calendula, cornflower and mallow, used both in the food sector both in cosmetics. In the woods and meadows you can find plants that can be used for food and medicinal purposes, such as chives, sorrel, dandelion, mountain spinach, red elderberry, gooseberry and woodruff, the latter often used to flavor grappa.

The most precious of the species present in the area is certainly the Baldo saffron, which is obtained from the flowers of the Crocus Sativus, a flower with lilac shades and reddish pistils, characterized by an unmistakable yellow color, an intense aroma and a strong flavor. It can be used for the preparation of dishes, bread and cakes. The bulbs planted in summer are harvested, once in bloom, in the months of October and November. Picked by hand in the early hours of the day and always by hand, then the three stigmas are separated inside the flower, which are then dried on precious wooden embers and then packaged.