Description
Kaciuto Licorice – the Artisanal Bitter from Grecanic Calabria
Kaciuto Licorice is an exceptional artisanal digestive bitter that represents the authentic essence of Grecanic Calabria. Born from the centuries-old tradition of Bova Marina, a small village on the Ionian coast of Reggio, this unique elixir encapsulates the purest and most unspoiled flavors of the Calabrian Mediterranean. Kaciuto (which means “good” in the Grecanic dialect) is much more than a simple digestive: it’s a sensory journey through the ancient herbal traditions of Magna Graecia.
The Territory of Origin: Grecanic Calabria
Kaciuto Licorice is born in the heart of the Grecanic Area of Calabria, one of the most fascinating and unspoiled areas in Europe, where Calabrian Greek (Grecanic) is still spoken today. This land, kissed by the Mediterranean sun and caressed by Ionian breezes, represents a unique heritage of biodiversity and millennial traditions that are reflected in every drop of this precious bitter.
The Unique Botanical Composition
Main Ingredients of Kaciuto Licorice:
Calabrian PDO Licorice The beating heart of Kaciuto is the prized Calabrian licorice, recognized as the best in the world for its high content of natural glycyrrhizin. The root, harvested in the countryside of Locride and the Plain of Gioia Tauro, gives the product that intense, velvety, and slightly sweet flavor that characterizes it unmistakably.
Reggio Calabria PDO Bergamot The peels of the precious Reggio Calabria Bergamot, a unique citrus fruit in the world cultivated exclusively along the Violet Coast, give Kaciuto fresh and citrusy notes that perfectly balance the intensity of the licorice. Bergamot, defined as “Calabria’s green gold,” brings exceptional digestive and antioxidant properties.
Wild Fennel Wild fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), which grows spontaneously on the Calabrian hillsides, gives Kaciuto a complex aromatic bouquet with herbaceous and slightly anise-like notes. Its carminative and digestive properties make this bitter a precious ally for gastrointestinal well-being.
Mediterranean Bay Leaf The leaves of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), a symbol of glory in classical antiquity, grow lush in the Calabrian Mediterranean scrub. Bay laurel gives Kaciuto elegant balsamic notes and digestive properties traditionally recognized by Mediterranean phytotherapy.
Artisanal Production Process
Kaciuto Licorice is produced following ancient artisanal methods passed down from generation to generation:
Harvesting and Selection
- Manual harvesting of wild herbs during specific balsamic periods
- Rigorous selection of the best licorice roots
- Quality control of each individual botanical ingredient
Infusion and Maceration
- Slow and prolonged infusion in high-quality grain alcohol
- Controlled maceration at room temperature to preserve active principles
- Process that takes weeks to fully extract essential oils
Filtration and Refinement
- Delicate filtration that preserves organoleptic properties
- Refinement in stainless steel tanks to stabilize the product
- Final quality control before bottling
Sensory Profile and Tasting
Visual Appearance Kaciuto presents a dark amber color, with mahogany reflections reminiscent of sunsets on the Violet Coast. Its crystalline transparency testifies to the purity of the ingredients and the mastery of the production process.
Olfactory Bouquet To the nose, Kaciuto Licorice releases a complex and enveloping bouquet:
- Top notes: Citrusy freshness of bergamot
- Heart notes: Velvety intensity of Calabrian licorice
- Base notes: Herbaceous hints of fennel and balsamic notes of bay leaf
Taste Experience The flavor of Kaciuto is a unique multisensory experience:
- Attack: Soft and enveloping with the natural sweetness of licorice
- Development: Aromatic complexity with a balance between sweet and bitter notes
- Finish: Persistent and digestive with a pleasantly bitter aftertaste
Beneficial and Health Properties
Kaciuto Licorice is not only a pleasure for the palate but also a concentrate of beneficial properties:
Digestive Properties
- Excellent natural digestive to conclude important meals
- Stimulates the production of gastric juices facilitating digestion
- Carminative action that reduces bloating and abdominal tension
Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties
- Rich in glycyrrhizin with notable anti-inflammatory properties
- High content of antioxidant flavonoids from bergamot
- Beneficial action on the respiratory and circulatory system
Balsamic Properties
- Soothing effect on mucous membranes thanks to bay leaf and fennel
- Natural expectorant action of licorice
- Antiseptic and antibacterial properties
Consumption and Tasting Methods
Traditional Service Kaciuto Licorice best expresses its qualities when served:
- Temperature: 12-15°C to enhance all aromas
- Glass: Preferably in tasting or tulip glasses
- Moment: Excellent digestive after main meals
Gastronomic Pairings
- Desserts: Perfect with Sicilian cannoli, cassata, and ricotta-based desserts
- Cheeses: Sublime with aged Calabrian pecorino and goat cheeses
- Chocolate: Classic pairing with 70% dark chocolate
- Dried fruits: Enhances the flavor of dried figs, walnuts, and almonds
Creative Mixology Kaciuto represents a versatile ingredient for contemporary mixology:
- Base for Mediterranean-style cocktails
- Ingredient for innovative drinks and signature cocktails
- Perfect for creative aperitifs with soda and ice
Formats and Packaging
Available Formats
- 50cl bottle: Ideal for home use and tastings
- 70cl bottle: Family size for true enthusiasts
- 100cl bottle: Magnum version for special occasions
Bottle Design Kaciuto Licorice is packaged in elegant dark glass bottles that:
- Protect the product from light, preserving its organoleptic properties
- Recall the heritage of Calabrian tradition in their design
- Feature labels that tell the story and origin of the product
Certifications and Recognitions
Kaciuto Licorice boasts numerous quality certifications:
- Produced with 100% certified Calabrian ingredients
- Reggio Calabria PDO Bergamot
- Calabrian PDO Licorice
- Fully traceable production process
- Free from artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors
The Tradition of Grecanic Calabria
Kaciuto represents the modern evolution of ancient herbal recipes from Magna Graecia. Even in antiquity, Greek colonists who settled in Calabria developed sophisticated knowledge in the use of Mediterranean herbs for therapeutic and gastronomic purposes. This millennial wisdom lives on today in Kaciuto Licorice, which maintains the authentic flavor of the Grecanic tradition intact.
Sustainability and Territory
The production of Kaciuto respects the principles of environmental sustainability:
- Use of ingredients from local and sustainable agriculture
- Support for the economy of the Grecanic territory
- Preservation of local biodiversity
- Enhancement of ancient herbal traditions
