The Lavender Park: a corner of Calabrian Provence

23.02.2022

When one thinks of lavender, one automatically thinks of Provence and its infinite expanses of purple flowers. The plays of light the flowers make with the sun, especially at sunset or sunrise, are one of the most sought after natural beauties by visitors.

Well, in Calabria there is a similar place in the province of Cosenza. Exactly in Campotenese, on the Pollino massif, in a fraction of Morano Calabro.

Spectacular lavender field

Herein, the Rocco family has created the Lavender Park, dedicating themselves exclusively to it, from cultivation to distillation and transformation into cosmetic products.

The initial idea was to look for plants that could withstand the cramped winter temperatures and that would resist under the blanket of snow.

They found out that between 900 and 1700 meters the lavender can survive; the same flowers which in the whole Pollino National Park until the beginning of the two wars guaranteed a flourishing activity and was a source of income for the inhabitants of the place.

The Rocco family tried to understand if it was possible to reproduce it, keeping its genetic properties intact in cultivation. Thus, from eight seedlings, three were selected and multiplied in vitro. Everything started in their labratory, at that precise moment.

Lavender flowers

From 2013 their agricultural property was converted into a botanical garden, exactly a sort of educational farm where you can study the peculiarities of lavender and learn to distinguish its species.

Today, in addition to the native flower that grows freely on the Pollino and which is called Loricanda, more than 50 are grown. Each has different characteristics from the others and is uniquely distinguished.

SMAF LTD

Explore our products, coming from CALABRIA. Order the food and beverage products that allow you to explore the Mediterranean diet of a remarkable region. Surrounded by two seas and adorned with pine forests, mysterious villages, natural habitats, and rich biodiversity. Discover handcrafted delicacies that embody the soul of the land: sun-ripened fruits, premium olive oils, bold wines, artisanal cheeses, and traditional cured meats, all crafted with passion and authenticity.

These 50 types are called simply Lavender (also called “lavelli”), while True Lavender (cultivated) show up a rainbow of colors, ranging from white to all shades of purple.

OTOH, on the Polluino plateau, near the lavander crops there are also random types of medicinal herbs such as thyme, roseate, peppermint, lemon and chocolate.

Lavender harvest

Furthermore, the Lavender Park offers visitors the opportunity to witness the distillation and separation of oil from lavender water.

This is also sometimes used as a soothing agent. The oil obtained from lavender angustifolia is the true essential oil with antifungal properties.

Finally, it is possible to buy lavender-based cosmetic products: natural soaps with drops of oil or with flowers for a scrub effect, scented candles, shelled for the fragrance of cabinets and environments, and herbal teas…

Another breathtaking place in Calabria you cannot miss out…

Lavender flowers

Authentic Calabrian Oil: SMAF Ltd selection

14.12.2021

We proudly present our line of Authentic Calabrian Olive Oils:  SMAF Ltd selection. All these oils are extra-virgin, and of two main types: Regular and Biological.

QUALITY AND WELLNESS

SMAF LTD deals with all the olive oils labelled in Calabrian DOPs. However, among the oils, stand out the Calabrian “extra-virgin oil”, regular or biological.

Calabria is, now, the source of 25% PRODUCTION OF ITALIAN OLIVE OIL; at the same time, among the top six olive oil of the world, two are Calabrian, and, commercially, Calabrian oil is sold to wholesalers who take this dense, robust Calabrian olive oil and mix it with that of other regions.

Generally speaking, Calabrian olive oil is a very safe and HEALTHY FOOD for the every-day life, providing monounsaturated fats, which can naturally lower cholesterol and risk of heart disease. Further, extra-virgin oil contains antioxidants very useful for said heart healthy. This wholesome antioxidant-rich product also contains vitamin E, renowned for its anti-cholesterol and anti anti-ageing effect. Dubbed as olive oil’s most beneficial health component, its polyphenols are potent antioxidants that neutralize free radicals in the body and reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, digestive problems and certain types of cancer.

As a SYMBOL OF THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET, Calabrian extra virgin olive oil represents an important addition to export product range of Calabria. Its finest Organic Olives are carefully selected and cold pressed – enjoying all the full, fruity flavours of this healthy oil.

Calabrian Extra Virgin Olive Oil have colors ranging from green to straw-yellow and has a distinct fruity flavor and aroma with a slight tinge of bitterness.

After careful growing, a delicate harvesting by hand, and cold pressing in cutting-edge olive press, Calabrian extra virgin olive oil fully reflects authentic tastes and aromas of the land, where the trees grew. In fact, two mains, typical Calabrian Olive Varieties are CAROLEA and NOCELLARA.

Traditionally, these two type of olive trees have always had a symbiotic relationship with grapevines. Therefore, the interaction of the plants with the nearby environment influences the low acidity and a nice depth scent combined with a certain refinement of delicate tones of the oil. Calabrian oil are normally “fruity” with hints of almonds and artichokes as well as a pleasantly spicy note. This rare spicy note is sometimes called ‘pizzicante’ flavour of extra virgin olive oil, and is very important as an indication that the oil is rich in polyphenols. Further, this luscious oil always features fragrant hints of almonds, basil and parsley, and notes of artichoke, lettuce, wild thistle and chicory.

In GASTRONOMY Calabrian olive oil is ideal on fish and in fish sauces, but also substantial enough to match nicely with meat, game, and vegetables. Extremely tasty, this oil is ideal to enhance the flavour of a wide variety of dishes, from pasta to meat courses, cheeses and bruschettas. Especially, extra virgin olive oil from Calabria is ideal when paired with shrimp, lobster, turbot and sea bream, mushrooms, soft cheese, mayonnaise, couscous and yeast-raised cakes. Finally, sweet and fragrant, this aromatic oil will glorify the flavor of any dish to the fullest, embodying a well-balanced bitterness with a light spicy aftertaste.

The typical way to produce Calabrian oil are two: MULTICULTIVAR or MONOCULTIVAR.

The latter means that oil is made from a single variety of olives harvested (during the peak of Calabrian Autumn in October) from olive trees grown in the exquisite clay soil of the Calabrian region.

All the extra virgin olive oils produced in Calabria derive from cold pressing of olives, without the use of heat or chemicals. This ensures that oils maintain an acidity level of less than 0.8% and retain all the positive nutritional benefits of the olives, including good cholesterol, vitamin E and anti-inflammatory properties.

OUR SELECTION

SMAF LTD is an intermediary of Calabrian olive oil corresponding to the trade names provided for in Directive 136/6623 / EEC, Reg. EC 2568/91 and Reg. EC 1989/03.

The types we guarantee are:

  • Extra virgin olive oil with an acidity of less than 0.8%
  • Virgin olive oil with an acidity up to 2%
  • Olive oil composed of fine oils and oils of virgin olives with an acidity not exceeding 1%
  • Saffron oil and derivatives of saffron oil of raw olives.

SMAF Associates LTD operates in the Calabrian extra virgin olive oil sector as a mediator – national and international “Broker”. Our activity towards Calabrian extra virgin olive oil comes from a long experience in the agricultural products market, in the activities of buying, selling, import-export, logistics, sea-to-land transport, insurance and customs issues.

Our brokerage deals with import-export to USA, Canada, Europe and Eastern countries, from Calabria, Italy, for quality fruit and vegetables of the best brands. We give the right importance to quality Calabrian extra virgin olive oil by transporting it directly from the manufacturer. We guarantee our business partners the utmost seriousness and we have clients of great international prestige. Among the other brokerage countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Philippines, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Lithuania, Morocco, Mexico, Myanmar, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Hungary, USA and Vietnam.

Our company is the leader in the distribution of Calabrian extra virgin olive oil.

The presence of liaison offices in Calabria ensures us a strategic position for the supply and distribution of goods. We are the privileged interlocutor for the Commercial and Collective Catering World and all the business forms that need a service high level as well as a constant and customized quality standard.