Organic Toritto Almonds in Shell - La Fattoria Della Mandorla
The Organic Toritto Almond in Shell preserves the purest essence of Apulian agricultural culture, harvested and selected with artisanal care by La Fattoria della Mandorla. The company manages a short and entirely organic supply chain in the Toritto area, located at the foot of the Alta Murgia National Park. The decision to focus exclusively on native varieties places the Filippo Cea cultivar at the centre of production, renowned throughout the gastronomic world for its rich aromatic profile and its round, generous shape. The limestone soil and typical climate of the Murgia area around Bari provide ideal conditions for producing fruit with exceptional quality characteristics.
The production process follows rigorous stages that combine artisanal expertise with modern post-harvest selection technologies. After harvesting in the estate's organic fields, the almonds undergo a delicate phase of natural drying, followed by mechanical surface cleaning to remove residual hull material while leaving the outer woody shell completely intact. This natural barrier protects the inner kernel, preserving the fine dark skin, naturally occurring essential oils and the fruit's natural moisture over time, protecting it from light and oxidation, without undergoing any thermal or chemical treatment.
An interesting fact about the Filippo Cea cultivar lies in its history: the mother tree was identified at the beginning of the 20th century precisely in the Toritto area by the local resident after whom the cultivar was named, and since then it has been regarded as a biodiversity heritage to be preserved. From an organoleptic perspective, these organic almonds in shell offer a perfect balance of flavours: when opened, the kernel is firm and fragrant, characterised by a persistent underlying sweetness and delicate milky and buttery notes. Its firm yet crumbly texture makes it a noble ingredient, capable of making a difference both during shared moments at the table and in home preparations.
In culinary applications, the versatility of this traditional raw ingredient is remarkable. It is ideal to enjoy on its own as a gourmet snack, offering the time-honoured pleasure of shelling the almonds just before eating, ensuring maximum aromatic freshness. Once shelled, Filippo Cea almonds express their full potential in the preparation of traditional desserts such as cantucci, artisanal nougat, fruit tarts and baked biscuits. In savoury preparations, they become an exceptional contrasting element: they can be roasted whole, coarsely chopped to finish pasta dishes, added to mixed salads or incorporated into Mediterranean sauces.
