HISTORY
“La Peracca” is an agricultural company born on the Piedmontese hills on the banks of the Po thanks to the idea of Ettore Bastianini, a great agronomy enthusiast. Initially the company was focused on wood processing, later it integrated activities such as cereal growing and hazelnut cultivation, which today represents the main activity. The generational synergy between Ettore, his wife Patrizia and their children Francesco and Elisabetta has allowed the evolution of the company and the valorization of the territory, creating a 0 km supply chain for products derived from the family's hazelnut groves.
RAW MATERIALS - OUR CHOICES
The company uses only TGT (Tonda Gentile Trilobata) hazelnuts, grown on the family property in Casalborgone (TO) in Monferrato, without the addition of artificial substances. The eggs used in production come from companies specialized in free-range hens from the Turin area. The company is committed to reducing the environmental impact through the cultivation of minor cereals such as spelt, rye and buckwheat, using the subsoiling technique rather than plowing and avoiding the use of synthetic products in favor of the of organic ones. The flour from the cultivated cereals is used directly in the company's laboratory, but a part is destined for retail sale. The company also offers products specific to customer needs that do not contain gluten, wheat flour, yeast or dairy.
HAZELNUT PROCESS
The "La Peracca" farm is located in the Monferrato hills and specializes in the cultivation and processing of hazelnuts. The hazelnut cultivation business started from the passion that the grandfather had for hazelnut groves, after which it was handed down to his son Ettore who, passionate about agronomy, was able to seize the opportunity and expanded the cultivation of hazelnut plantations. Subsequently, the company underwent an evolution thanks to the collaboration of the children Francesco and Elisabetta.
The fertile soil of Monferrato, rich in potassium and other essential nutrients, has proved to be the perfect choice for growing hazelnuts, giving them a sweet flavour. Thanks to the careful care taken at every stage of cultivation and transformation, "La Peracca" has become over the years a point of reference for the production of high quality hazelnuts. We have chosen to cultivate our hazelnut groves with mechanical methods, avoiding chemical synthesis products and favoring organic ones.
The cultivation of hazelnuts begins in spring with the beginning of the budding of the trees. During the summer, the sun makes our hazelnuts grow and ripen, making them increasingly tasty and nutritious. With the advent of autumn comes the time for harvesting, a phase which will be followed by the storage of the hazelnuts in our laboratories where they will subsequently be selected. After being selected, the hazelnuts are transformed directly by the company itself, through shelling and roasting, up to the final product (cookies, cakes, biscuits, muesli, spreads and much more) packaged in such a way as to guarantee the highest quality.
PROPERTIES OF HAZELNUTS
(source: Nocciola Piemonte https://www.nocciolapiemonte.it/nocciola-piemonte/ )
The Nocciola Piemonte PGI is particularly appreciated for its qualitative parameters such as:
• High shelling yield
• Excellent taste and aroma after roasting
• High natural peelability
• Fine and persistent flavour
• Good shelf life thanks to low fat content
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
(source: The Hazelnuts of Alba https://www.lenoccioledialba.it/perche-mangiare-le-nocciole
The PGI hazelnut has numerous beneficial properties for our health, in fact it contains:
Oleic acid:
the TGT hazelnut in particular is rich in unsaturated fats such as this acid, which is very useful for fighting bad cholesterol in the blood and for raising the levels of good cholesterol, with benefits for the cardiovascular system.
Vitamin E:
it is a powerful antioxidant and anti-carcinogen, in fact it helps our skin protect itself from aging and ultraviolet rays.
Magnesium:
contributes to the health of muscles, bones and joints and helps reduce fatigue, muscle tension and cramps. It is also recommended for menopausal women to combat osteoporosis.
Vitamin B:
hazelnut contains vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B9, necessary to obtain energy from proteins, fats and carbohydrates. In particular, vitamin B6 contributes to the correct functioning of the nervous system.
Manganese:
it is a powerful antioxidant and facilitates the activity of the digestive system.
Mineral salts:
hazelnuts contain numerous mineral salts such as copper, zinc, selenium, potassium and the two previously mentioned (magnesium and manganese).
