Harvest, Learn and Taste

Harvest, Learn and Taste: celebrating the red gold of Abruzzo

Harvest, Learn and Taste is the festival that brings San Pio delle Camere to life every autumn. Located on the Navelli Plateau in the province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, this small town dedicates the event entirely to Zafferano dell'Aquila DOP, the precious spice grown on these highlands, known as "red gold" for its immense value and the intense color of its stigmas.

Experience the harvest firsthand

The festival's philosophy is captured in its name: harvest, learn, and taste. At dawn, visitors join producers in the fields to participate in the crocus flower harvest, an ancient ritual performed in the early morning hours while the flowers are still closed. Back in the village, the process continues with sfioratura—the delicate manual separation of the three red stigmas from each flower—followed by drying, the crucial step that concentrates the spice's aroma and flavor.

A land with a thousand-year history

Zafferano dell'Aquila DOP is produced in only a handful of municipalities on the Navelli Plateau. The cultivation of this spice in the area has been documented for centuries and is deeply rooted in the agricultural identity of the L'Aquila hinterland. "Harvest, Learn and Taste" was created to showcase and promote this supply chain, bringing the public closer to the producers and traditional processing techniques.

Show cooking, flavor, and entertainment

The program alternates between educational moments and culinary offerings. Past editions have featured show cooking sessions with chefs and master gelato makers who reinterpret saffron in both savory and sweet versions, alongside food stalls serving traditional saffron-based dishes. The event also includes theatrical performances, ancient recipes shared by local women, and folk music that enlivens the days.

Nature and sport among the fields

Numerous outdoor activities for families and enthusiasts revolve around the harvest: mountain bike excursions through the cultivated fields, orienteering trials, and walks to discover the landscape of the Plateau. It is a unique way to explore the territory of San Pio delle Camere by combining culture, gastronomy, and the great outdoors.

An iconic event for Abruzzo

Organized by the Associazione Le Vie dello Zafferano in collaboration with the Municipality of San Pio delle Camere, the event has become a benchmark for promoting Zafferano dell'Aquila DOP and enhancing the inland areas of Abruzzo. It is an authentic opportunity to discover how one of the world's most prized spices is born, right where it is grown.