amaro del tumusso
This is a story about alchemy, elixirs and enlightened producers. But also of history and nature, of explorations and discoveries. And in fact, this is always how treasures are born, this is always how extraordinary things are created: everything originates from the chaotic succession of events and the encounter of different minds and cultures.
The Vallo di Diano is a green Tyrrhenian basin, enclosed between limestone and Dolomite mountains, as if it were a jewel in a treasure chest.
It is in this fascinating natural scenery that over the centuries important apothecaries were born, combining local and foreign wisdom with great botanical availability. To testify to this, it is enough to think that only in Padula there were two apothecaries and two fairs were organised; the San Bruno Fair was more aristocratic and highbrow, while the Tumusso (or Tumuzio, or Tomusso) Fair was more popular.
It is very likely that on these occasions all the spices and wild essences found in the area were marketed. The same ones that today contribute to making the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park one of the most important in Europe, a Biosphere Reserve, with about 1/3 of the Italian vascular flora.
And it was the area of Padula, already called del Tumusso, that hosted the fair. At the time it overlooked a stately home that had a hortus of relevance, rich in spontaneous aromatic herbs; today on the other hand it would overlook the beautiful Cà del Conte Estate owned by Vincenzo Fagiolo, still lush with spices and herbs, a source of inspiration for us.
The Tumusso Fair was a great opportunity for merchants to buy and sell, but also a good excuse to meet. Thus perfectly responding to that candid, pure and primitive need that is the impulse to get together.
GENZIANA (Gentiana Iutea L.)
Perennial herbaceous plant of slow growth, has a bitter, tantalising taste. It is a plant with multiple properties and is therefore considered one of the most valuable.
RAFANO (Armoracia rusticana L.)
It is a plant that was domesticated after the barbarian invasions in Southern Italy and still cultivated in the territories of Ancient Lucania. Pungent and almost spicy, the Horseradish root has an acrid flavour, comparable to that of mustard but with an unexpected refreshing quality.
LAURO (Laurus Nobilis L.)
Laurel is the crown of the wise, it is a homage to culture. And, like the artists whose heads were crowned, laurel has strength, character and a fine and distinct aroma.
ELICRISO (Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don)
With its surprising flavour and intoxicating scent, Helichrysum is reminiscent of licorice, although more elegant and discreet. It is a plant strongly linked to calcareous soils, but particularly adaptable up to 1,100-1,200m of altitude.