After a bit I remembered the Frantoio Franci and thought it was pretty close by. As we had just finished the final drops of our April oil purchases, the timing was perfect to pay them a visit. We headed to Montenero.
The small frantoio has an international reputation as they have won the competition for best olive oil in the world several years in a row.
We had already been there, but they took us up to the tasting room where we sampled again to see which oils we wanted to procure this time. We didn't taste the lower priced oils last time, the ones best for cooking. Even though it's priced about the same as the big name US brands, the Franci Fiore was far better in taste and freshness than anything available at home.
We chose two of the high end oils for drizzling on salads as well as some of the cooking oil and put together a mixed case to ship home.
While we were waiting for the office staff to calculate the costs and shipping, the owner Federico Franci came over to meet us. At 87 he still looks great. We talked about oil. I asked him if he drank it. He said he has a cucchiaio every morning, then drizzles it on his pasta and chick peas for lunch.
He said he wished he had learned to speak English, and never got to America because working was too much fun and he didn't want to leave the company. So, while it may not be THE secret to long life, I think loving and believing in your work coupled with a healthy diet certainly can't hurt.
When our complicated transaction was finally complete, the entire office staff came out to shake our hands and wish us well.
When does that ever happen in America??
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