Those who eat chilli live longer! Here are all the reasons…

09.02.2022

EATING CHILI PEPPER CAN EXTEND YOUR LIFE!

This is the conclusion of a maxi-study that monitored the eating habits of nearly 500,000 people in China for seven years.

This was revealed by a Chinese study of 500,000 people between 35 and 79 years old. EATING chili peppers can extend your life by many years. The international team of researchers, led by the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, found that those who ate spicy foods once or twice a week were able to reduce the risk of mortality by 10%.

Those who added spices to their meals three to seven times a week could count on a risk of mortality reduced by as much as 14%. A benefit probably associated with the high content of capsaicin, vitamin C and other nutrients contained in these ingredients.

Different kind of chili peppers

The research, published in the British Medical Journal, examined people aged 35 to 79 from 10 different geographical areas of China. Participants were asked what type of spice they consumed most often and how often. Chilli, widely used in China, was the most frequent response.

After all, observes the researcher Nita Forouhi , of the University of Cambridge, many of the virtues of chili pepper – and in particular of capsaicin , the alkaloid that is responsible for its spiciness – are known: from anti-oxidants to anti-inflammatory and even anti-cancer.

Experts, for now, are cautious; the study was only ‘observational’ and, therefore, requires technical insights to recommend a change in eating style. “Further research is needed to establish whether the consumption of spicy food can directly improve health and reduce the mortality rate, or if it is just an external sign of other factors affecting dietary habits and lifestyle.”, they specify.

Chili peppers are healthy

THE BEST CHILLI IN THE WORLD IS IN CALABRIA!!!

Scientific confirmation arrives. Great taste and also good for your health. It is also the spiciest (among the good ones).

The Italian and Calabrian chili in particular, is not only a product of great taste but is also good for health (but as with all things, even if good, abuses must be avoided).

Chilli is rich in provitamin A and vitamin C and has antiseptic, digestive and vasodilatory properties. Recent studies have shown that it also contributes to reducing the sense of hunger and as regards the spiciness , the maximum is offered by the Calabrian cigarette.

The Italian agri-food research body, CREA, studied the effect of genotype, environment and conservation treatment on the content of genotypes grown in three sites (Montanaso Lombardo, Monsampolo del Tronto and Battipaglia) important compounds from a nutritional and sensorial point of view.

The different genotypes did not generally respond uniformly in the different environments, highlighting, for these characters, a significant interaction with the cultivation environment.

Calabrian chili peppers “diavolicchio”

The Calabrian cigarette genotype has always shown the maximum values of capsaicinoids, responsible for both the spiciness (52000-85000 degrees Scoville in the freeze-dried fresh product and 38000-86000 in the dried one) and for many of the beneficial properties of chilli.

Always with a view to enhancing typical products, Crea Agriculture and Environment has succeeded with innovative methods in discriminating the production areas of the Calabrese Cigarette cultivar.

This so precious food will now be enhanced by Crea, which is completing Pepic “Hot pepper supply chain: research interventions for the choice of varieties and for the innovation of cultural processes”, a project activated at the request of the Chilli supply chain table and financed by the ministry for Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, through Ismea , precisely to promote a product chain of superior quality, innovative, integrated and competitive.

Chilli challenge

The analyzes showed how chillies tend to stand out on the basis of both the other types on the market (sweet and ornamental) and their geographical origin. In particular, the Italian pepper has differentiated genetically from that coming from the Americas and Asia. Let’s eat chilli for a long and healthy life!

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.