A Trip to
Campania
“The land of breathtaking landscapes and exquisite food”
Its lush fertile landscapes, amazing climate, striking seaside villages and exquisite food, makes Campania one of the most visited regions of Italy. It is best known for its blue sea, mountains and, most notably, the iconic Mount Vesuvius.
Campania offers spectacular landscapes such as the Amalfi Coast, Positano, the grottoes of Capri and the romantic islands of Procida and Ischia. The City of Napoli is the regional capital of the Campania region and the third largest city in Italy.
Campania is rich in history, art, culture and Italian cuisine. There is no other city in the world with more breathtaking landscapes, historical artistic gems, old-world charm and lively energetic inhabitants.
Our father and founder, Vincenzo Caccioppoli, was born in Castellammare di Stabia, in the region of Napoli, a city located just a few kilometres from the Ruins of Pompeii. Because of this, the region of Campania is especially special to us.
When in Campania, visitors from all over the world are reminded of an old Italian proverb which says, "Vedi Napoli e poi muori". It roughly translates to “See Naples, then you can die.”
We happen to agree!
Rich, Aromatic Espresso
Buongiorno! In Napoli, the locals begin their day by having a hot, strong espresso coffee. They claim their coffee is so unique because of the Napolitano air and the water from the mountains.
You can shop for a similar tasting coffee here, and pretend you’re on the coast of Italy when you enjoy it in the morning. The original Kimbo Blend features a delicious flavour and roasting typical of the age-old tradition of Naples. This blend is very close to the Espresso Napoletano, as it produces a deeply rich and satisfying espresso.
Did you know that Napoli was the birthplace of pizza back in the 18th century?
The region of Napoli possesses all of the key ingredients to make a delicious pizza — ripe tomatoes made into a delicious sauce, fresh mozzarella, rich olives and world-class semolina flour.
In fact, if you wander through the narrow alleyways of Napoli that date back to the 19th century, you might still find a pizzeria or two from that time.
If you're looking to craft your own personalized pizza, Vincenzo’s offers a selection of pizza stones, utensils, and toppings. This includes Caputo Flour, flavourful tomato sauces, and an array of fantastic toppings, all essential for concocting your perfect pizza.
Vincenzo's also has a Pizza Night Gift Basket, if you want to bring as a hostess gift or send to the Pizza Lover on your list.
Mozzarella Di Bufala
One of the key ingredients of a Pizza Margherita is Mozzarella di Bufala, made with milk from local water buffaloes.
Mozzarella di Bufalo has a springy texture and a pleasantly sour taste with a faint mossy smell, reminiscent of the humid grazing fields of Southern Italy. It is porcelain-white in colour, spherical in shape with a very thin glossy edible rind.
It’s worthwhile to note that Mozzarella di Bufala Campania has received the Protected Designation of Origin (DOP). The DOP means that each step of production takes place in its region of origin.
San Marzano
San Marzano tomatoes are key ingredients in the making of pizza sauce. They are grown on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, in fields once covered in the lava ashes from 79 A.D. These tomatoes have also been given the DOP designation, which controls how and where they are grown.
San Marzano tomatoes are well known for their exceptional taste. They offer a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, with a rich, deep, and slightly tangy flavour. This unique taste profile sets them apart from other tomato varieties. Typically oval in shape, San Marzano tomatoes have a thick and meaty flesh with fewer seeds and less water content compared to other tomato types. This is what helps make the sauce so thick and delicious.
Pasta
Surely when you think of Italy, you think of pasta.
That being said, did you know that Campania’s City of Gragnano is named the City of Pasta? The pasta created there has also been designated as a DOP product.
Some famous pasta companies from Gragnano include Afeltra and Garofalo, which now sell their pasta internationally and are renowned for their exquisite taste and traditional production techniques. Using the local durum wheat and fresh spring water, it was left to dry hanging out in the breeze of the mountain air, producing the perfect pasta.
Lemons
The panoramic coastal towns of Sorrento and Amalfi grow fragrant, brightly coloured large lemons. Lemon groves along the Amalfi Coast are a big part of the regional cooking – adding them to meat, seafood, salads, and desserts, as well as the famous production of Limoncello liqueur.
As the sun sets over the Gulf of Napoli in the enchanting region of Campania, the locals make their way to the parks and piazzas for a Passeggiata. This walk or stroll might often involve stopping for a delicious Gelato or even an ice-cold shot of Limoncello. Perhaps grab some of the Limoncello candies (Perle di Sole) also available at Vincenzo's.
What a perfect way to say “Buona Sera” to the stunning region of Campania.
Charcuterie Boards
Summertime is the ideal time for entertaining friends or throwing together an easy dinner (because who wants to turn on the oven in August?!). This is where charcuterie boards come into play. Simple, versatile and always delicious, charcuterie boards make for the perfect thing to serve whether you’re hosting guests al fresco or putting together a quick dinner before getting the kids in the bath.
Why not consider sending someone one of our Charcuterie in a Box gift.
Read our most recent blog post to learn how to curate the perfect charcuterie board.
SHOP CHARCUTERIE BOARDS
Take Home a Taste of Campania
The region of Campania is vibrant and full of flavour, and its food is no different. Our thoughtful team here at Vincenzo’s packaged up a basket of the region’s most authentic foods for you to take home and enjoy.
The basket includes:
- Strianese San Marzano Tomatoes
- Caputo Flour
- Il Borgo Campania Tomato Sauce
- Perle di Sole Limoncello Candies
- Perle Di Sole Limoncello Biscotti
- Afeltra Pasta (Two Types)
You can keep the ceramic bowl and repurpose it in your kitchen to store fresh lemons or serve something delicious to your guests.
Craving a broader palette of global flavours? Check out our expansive selection of gift basket favourites here. There is something for every occasion!
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