Exotic Offerings

I’ve come across an exciting store offering a wide variety of exotic foods, spices and more. It’s CyberCucina (cybercucina.com).

Among the things they offer:

• Balsamic Vinegar. A variety of containers labeled Balsamic Vinegar can be found today in most grocery stores. However, there is balsamic vinegar and then there is Balsamic Vinegar. One need not be a connoisseur to tell the difference because the difference in taste is quite obvious.

• Unfiltered Olive Oil.

  In the uplands of northwestern Sicily, Gianfranco Becchina’s lovely estate is set on a perfect location. Some sixty acres of olive groves, some situated on the grounds once used by Princess Pignatelli of Spain, cover the grounds behind the estate walls. The olives here are primarily Nocellara del Belice, with Bianco Lilla and others mixed in and are not chemically treated in any way.

  The olives are stone-ground under millstones and then gently pressed. The unfiltered oil is then stored in rotund terracotta amporae until spring, naturally clarifying itself. The oil is not filtered thereby leaving the chlorophyll suspended in the minute particles of sediment acting as a natural preservative.

  Olio Verde Unfiltered Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a medium green but dense hue with a notably vegetal nose. The intense, full flavor shown is redolent of fresh-cut grass with a fresh green olive vivacity. Winner of the 1998 Outstanding Oil category at the N.A.S.F.T. Fancy Food Show in New York, Olio Verde is traditionally drizzled over fresh greens, grilled meats or toasted Italian bread.

  Each bottle contains 16.9 fluid oz. of delightful Olio Verde Unfiltered Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Italy.

• Cerignola Olives from Cybercucina.com -

  Bella di Cerignola Olives by Bel Aria

  These bright green giant olives come from the Adriatic coast of Southern Italy. They are mild and sweet with a very dense “meaty” flesh. They are preserved in brine made of water, salt, Ascorbic and Citric acids.

  The Cerignola olives are fabulous for snacking or with drinks. We like to pair them with chunks of Parmigiano and some fresh crusty bread for a “rustica” lunch made in heaven. We carry a large decorative glass jar of 19 oz.

I’ve found this to be a fun online store chock full of different offerings. I’ll bet you’ll enjoy and appreciate it as well.