Welcome to Taste Calabria
Centuries old olive trees nestled in the Aspromonte.
Welcome to Taste Calabria! Despite the state of world travel for the last three years, we are still pushing forward and prepping future tours in one of Italy’s oldest region’s rich in history and agriculture. Our last trip in 2019 was an unforgettable one and we plan on returning.
Calabria, the toe of the Italian boot, is one the oldest regions dating back thousands of years (far older than Rome). The Greeks colonized it because of its rich soil to further strengthen their empire including other parts of Southern Italy. The name Italia was the actual name of the region and, after Roman conquest, was used to name the entire peninsula (including the Sicilian islands, Sardegna and Corsica) to what we all know and love today as Italy. The first “Italy” in history was actually modern day Calabria. Calabria is Italy and Italy is Calabria in more ways than one. Its namesake is intriguing and has been described by many as both “prostitute” and “paradise”. I describe it as bountiful, beautiful and honest. A fertile landscape that can only be designed by Mother Nature herself.
I personally only see the beauty that is Calabria. I always have my entire life and always will since it is a beautiful place filled with beautiful people who are hospitable to even strangers and agriculturally passionate as well as fiercely protective of their food traditions.
Over 40% of the region is mountainous and hilly. It is surrounded by the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas. It is separated from Sicily by the Strait of Messina. Three mountain ranges are present: Pollino, La Sila, and Aspromonte. The Pollino Mountains form a natural barrier separating this region from its neighbor Basilicata and the rest of Italy. Pollino is also home to Italy’s largest national park. La Sila has some of the tallest trees in all of Italy and is recognized as having the purest air in all of Europe (and there’s a ski resort to boot). The Aspromonte peaks at over 6000 ft and borders all three seas surrounding the region. This unique geography blending both sea and earth is what makes Calabria so unique in climate and agriculture for centuries and has also defined its characteristic cuisine. A cuisine and culture we have explored, and will continue to, surrounded by UNESCO protected olive trees situated in the middle of the breathtaking Aspromonte Mountains. A cuisine that has been heavily influenced and shaped by Greece, North Africa, Spain, France, Central America and Sephardic Jewish culture. Without Calabria, there would be no Italy.
Fragrant citrus groves in Reggio Calabria.
The Santuario di Santa Maria dell’Isola in Tropea.
A fishing boat parked on the rocky shores of Scilla.
Fresh pepperoncini at the local farmers market.
Watch a video compilation of our 2019 Taste Calabria trip