Dario Cecchini Fiore di Finocchio

Fiore di Finocchio by Dario Cecchini

Fiore di Finocchio fennel spice: the wild spice with a delicate flavor

Fennel is an ancient, originally Mediterranean cultivated plant that has occasionally gone wild in Central Europe - for example, very often in Tuscany. The fennel bulbs and fennel seeds are processed and eaten. Much less common is the processing of the flowers and pollen of wild fennel into a spice. This is because the production of this spice is rather complex and expensive, as the flowers can only be "harvested" in small quantities. Dario Cecchini has created Fiore di Finocchio, which has a very aromatic yet slightly sweet taste. It gives pork, lamb, chicken and fish dishes an intense Mediterranean flavor. By the way: Did you know that fennel is also said to have healing properties? As a remedy for coughs, as a soothing agent for the stomach and intestines and in China even as a remedy for snake bites... In any case, fennel flowers taste simply heavenly - perhaps that's why they are also known as the "spice of angels".

The Antica Macelleria Cecchini - an Eldorado for meat lovers in Panzano in Chianti

In addition to Fiore di Finocchio, Dario Cecchini has many other non-meat products in his Antica Macelleria Cecchini range. One highlight is Dario's mustard, which goes well with almost any meat - grilled meat, burgers and ham, but also with cheese! It's a similar story with the Mediterranean sauce, Mostarda Mediterranea - made from a mixture of sweet and hot peppers. It goes well with meat and cheese anyway - the more daring should also try it with chocolate. Behind the poetic name Il Profumo del Chianti is nothing less than an aromatic herbal salt that Dario serves in the restaurant with raw vegetables for dipping, but which can also be recommended for seasoning dishes and salads. Under the Dario Cecchini label, there is also an excellent extra virgin olive oil and the extra hot peppers in oil called Bruciaculo. But what Dario is famous for, of course, are his meaty creations, which you can either buy in the macelleria or eat on the spot. The macelleria also has a cucina - a kitchen where bistecca alla fiorentina, Dario Docs and solociccia dishes - i.e. only meat - are prepared. If you are in Panzano in Chianti or nearby, you should not miss a visit to Europe's most famous butcher.

In Italy, in the region Tuscany, in the region Chianti Classico, in Panzano in Chianti