Cooking class at Fortezza de' Cortesi!!

An experience of savours, flavours, consistence, you will be aware of the essential secrets of cooking, giving you all right instruments to share them with your friends and amaze your guests during your genuine Italian dinner.

I will show you the organic row ingredients we mostly use for our recipes; we ‘ll pick aromatic herbs and vegetables directly from our garden in our organic farm, then I’ll give you some basic information on our self produced saffron DOP and extra virgin olive oil, so that you will have no difficulties to choose the right ingredients from the shelves once back home.

Come and stay with us!!!! ask for more info to: info@fortezzacortesi.com

Saffron in the kitchen

There are several recipes in which saffron can be used. From appetizers to desserts, its peculiar flavor due to the presence of the elements that compose the picrocrocina and its scent made up of active ingredient safranal joined to the beautiful yellow gold color given by crocin, makes it one of the most unusual and versatile spice.

The Romans used it to prepare dishes for cooking game and aromatic wines. Arabs for cakes and breads. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance it was used for the preparation of "crayons" spices and meat pies, breads, soups, cakes savory, vegetables and legumes in meats and cheeses, fruit and cakes.

Today, appreciated by the best international chefs including those in the restaurant "Dulcis in Fundo", San Gimignano, is used for preparing countless recipes and creative cooking.

Saffron: Aphrodisiac and Therapeutic Treatments

Its scientific name is Crocus Sativus Linnaeus while its name "saffron" derives from Arabian "za'faran" which means yellow. The plant is a perennial bulbous of the Iridacee family. The beautiful purple flower gives the three red stigmas in the middle, which once dried according to technical specifications, they are called "saffron". It takes about 150,000 flowers to obtain one kilogram of product.

Considered precious since ancient times, saffron was used in Persia as an aphrodisiac. In Greek mythology, Hermes, the patron god of love, awaken his sexual desire with saffron.

Actually it has been proved effective against impotence and frigidity, stimulates appetite, it is a cardio-tonic and a strong antioxidant. Helps the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Protects against damage caused by free radicals and improves blood flow to the brain and memory. Useful against cough, indigestion, insomnia and reduces menstrual pain. It is also useful in the treatment of light depression. For external use it is used to treat contusions and bruises, burns, bruises and in the preparation of astringent eye drops.

Recent studies testify the effectiveness of this spice for leukemia, breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

It has to be used in small doses because too much can be lethal, causing severe poisoning, abortions and lead to death from internal bleeding.

Saffron, San Gimignano exceptional taste

Together with art, culture, towers, wine, San Gimignano is proud of another antic traditional product: Saffron.

Since ancient times, Saffron has always been considered a symbol of material and spiritual wealth, probably because of its warm color that recalls gold. The clothes of the Egyptian priests, the curtains wrapping mummies, the veils of brides in ancient Rome, the robes of the Assyrians and Babylonians king, wedding dresses of medieval women to that of the Dalai Lama were all dyed using saffron.

In San Gimignano the tradition of its use dates back to medieval times, when the cultivation of this precious flower, crocus, extended throughout the territory surrounding the town. During the flowering, lilac/purple fields struck the traveler eyes along the Via Francigena pilgrimage. Introduced by the first crusaders, saffron found in San Gimignano, ideal conditions for a huge development.

A few years ago some willing producers, among them "Fortezza de 'Cortesi, encouraged by the Region of Tuscany, ARSIA Agricolture Authority and the Municipality, re-started the recovery path of production of this precious spice. After a testing phase, carried out for the first time under international yardsticks, have come to obtaining the Denomination of Origin (PDO). Laboratory tests conducted on the product gave surprising results and gave to The Saffron Dop of San Gimignano the most prestigious category in the world. Cultivated, harvested and processed entirely by hand according to biological criteria, is packed while keeping intact the stigmas to protection from counterfeiting.