News · WHAT THE GU?

This year we decided to take advantage of the beautiful theme offered to us by Babbi and Italian illustrator Chiara Varotto.

Her textural collage style and fun characters gave life to a modern and eclectic style.

Not only did these illustrations adorn the Advent Calendar, but a whole range of Christmas ornaments, boxes, tins and matched the Christmas trees and sleighs that were used to support the outdoor theme.

Bravo and BUON NATALE!

A big thanks to our fabulous, albeit compact group (minus one!) and a SALUTE (cheers) to all the fun adventures we had both culinary and otherwise to come together and experience both coasts of this stunning Italian province. The warmth of both climate and people was second to none!

One highlight was our pasta experience learning alongside a bonafide Nonna, inside the family's historic multi level home. Situated in a tiny dot of a city, we ate and drank like kings! And who could forget the best foccaccia in the world, or all the laughing over the nun's breast shaped pastries, LOL, only in Italy!!!

Find out about our next small group luxury trip planned for Sardegna as we we seek out the unexpected and the unknown in various regions of Italy.

Most people associate quality almonds with Spain, but Puglia produces wonderful 'frutta secca' too! These ones are from Toritto, not far from Bari, where fields of almond trees lay in the rich Pugliese soil. We use real truffle honey, fresh garlic, and a high quality EVOO when creating this delectable snack.

In September we will be travelling in the interior of Puglia where we hope to find these almonds and many other discoveries. Stay tuned!

We are fascinated with exploring Italian bar culture, which is one of the most interesting aspects of everyday social life in Italy.

And one of our favourite summer cocktails is the SGROPPINO. What is it, you ask?

Check out the info and our recipe o the ICCO Buonissimo website to learn about this partially frozen, delicious, but simple cocktail.

Pairing chocolate with wine, spirits, or cheese expands the range of foods that can be experienced together. In the best of cases, dark chocolate pairings offer versatile new flavors and aroma sensations.

Wouldn't Dad would simply love this? Men enjoy chocolate and sweets, more than we know... :) And we can help to devise a custom gift if you wish.

Yry the Vosges pairing with their marshmallows and create a unique cocktail for him that's so refreshing.

Here's how to do it:

Ingredients
2 oz Estate Dark Rum
5 oz Ginger Beer
1 lime wedge

Directions
Pour the rum over ice in a chilled highball glass and then fill with ginger beer
Squeeze in the lime wedge and garnish with a chilled Vosges Black Salt Coconut Nib Caramel marshmallow

Orecchiette (pronounced oh-reck-ee-ET-tay) is a distinctive type of pasta from Puglia (Apulia), the southeastern region of Italy that forms the heel of Italy's boot.

The pasta is shaped roughly like small uneven disks, hence the name "orecchiette" which means "little ears." Orecchiette date back to between the 12th and 13th centuries, when they appeared in Bari.

It is important for us to recognize all women on this special day that ilustrates all the aims and accomplishments of we women, plus the challenges we face everyday.

Mimosa flowers signify the strength and resilience of character in women of the past, present and our bright future. Purchasing them for the women you know show our unity and appreciation of each other.

What is Gianduia and where did it did it originate? How can we choose the best spreadable cream that is worth the cost?

All this and more explored in our gustologia article for the Italian Chamber of Commerce's Buonissimo website.

To be published this fall, in September 2023. We will provide a link very soon!

A light and airy dough with the most air pockets while still flavourful and buttery.
A Christmas Panettone like no other!

Made from a 100 year old mother yeast that is fed on a daily basis, plus lots of local butter. No preservatives and a short shelf life necessitate it be flown into Canada.

Gustologia brought our first group ever to the Alta langhe region in Piemonte (or Piedmont) for a glorious week of gourmet food, picturesque hotels, sightseeing, Michelin star restaurants, chocolate culture and even a Vermouth masterclass. What a week to remember!

We all bonded in our mutual love of this wonderful and sophisticated province, with its spectacular bounty and wild scenery. Not to mention our group cooked meal where we all pitched in and tried our hand at making homemade local pasta dishes like Ravioli al Plin and Tajarin.

Inquire on our next small group luxury trip as we will again be seeking out the unexpected and the unknown in various regions of Italy.

Banchini takes inspiration from the Duchessa Maria Luigia who became an important figure in the history of Parma. And she adored all kinds of sweets!

These crumbly and buttery biscuits of delight are made with 70% dark chocolate (pictured) and a generous sprinkle of Pink Himalayan sea salt to tickle the tastebuds.

A NEW flavour to be introduced is the heavenly Nocciola (or hazelnut) which is made with white chocolate, and the cookie is studded with little bits of Piemonte hazelnuts.

We fell in love with this latest sablé on our trip to Italy when we visited the Banchini shop in Parma!

Starting in July gustologia drops a new box for the summer inspired by Luna's love of s'mores! With Cloud 9 bars, cloud-shaped graham cracker cookies and a Vosges bar, this box is a sure fire winner (get it? nudge nudge).

The Cloud cookies are a real labour of love made with Tuscan Acacia honey, Madagascar Bourbon vanilla, creamy butter, and sea salt.

Avaialble only for July and August!

It's already June, and it is a special time to respectfully celebrate Pride and social equality and justice with all people, no matter their gender or personal choices.

To be a part, we are offering a sale on Mayana Pride items this month or until supplies last.

April saw a lot of "egg action" with festive items from Mayana and Banchini selling out, as well as our very own gu line! Our Easter "Hop Up" was a welcoming spring event with a steady stream of interested customers.

Gustologia offered these cute mini eggs from Italy, and they were a big hit, snatched up by everyone. Filled with a soft centre of either dark chocolate or Gianduia (chocolate hazelnut), and a thin crunchy coating, each variety was hard to resist. We know as we filled all these boxes up lovingly with stickers and ribbons, to make them just perfect for the Easter bunny to hand out on the weekend.

An extra special gathering with friends was organized as a pre Valentines Tea with all the gals. Gustologia helped to make the afternoon fun with sampling and sales of exclusive chocolate items just in time for this day of LOVE and friendship!

We introduced our 'gu' line of small batch raw or roasted Italian nuts and yummy bagged goodies. These items rotate on a seasonal basis depending on what we deceide to feature!

If you are looking for the best hazelnuts in the world, where does one go but the wild hills of Piemonte in Alta Langhe to find IGP certified Piedmont Hazelnuts. Here at Gustologia we bring the best to you with our small batch roasting and caramelizing of these small beauties.

What makes these Italian hazelnuts so special and sought after rather than the majority of the world’s standard production from Turkey or USA? It’s all about la terra, il sole 🌞 and the extraordinary conditions in Piemonte that give these hazelnuts their intense aroma, sweet taste, and perfect preservation even after roasting.

Our first Festive Holiday Event ocurred in December 2021 (between lockdowns!) with a great turnout aimed at chocolate purchases. This invitation only drop in was a chance for everyone to shop and enjoy!

Have an event you'd like us to organize with you? Contact us at info@gustologia.ca and let us know some details!