We lost the plot with this one … we now present you with a delightful, even playful, dessert wine - or aperitif if you prefer!

Fragolino Rosso Frizzante from Bottega Bibano decants into the glass with bright cherry red and purple reflections. The bouquet is like no other: ripe, juicy strawberries, freshly made strawberry ice cream and hints of white chocolate.

Fragolino is a tribute to the Isabella vine. This resilient grape variety saved many winemakers after the phylloxera disaster. Nowadays, Isabella is rarely used for wine production in Italy, but Bottega wanted to create a monument to it: Fragolino Rosso, a wine-based drink (similar to spritzer or “tinto de verano” but better!) that perfectly captures the charm of the Fragolino of old.

We favor having it as a dessert all by itself. After spicy Mexican dishes, or Thai or Indian curries, Fragolino masterfully refreshes your palate.

Non- fluoridated sea salt is the purest salt and great for cooking and seasoning. Sea salt is harvested in shallow ponds near the ocean here in Ecuador, the shallow ponds evaporate naturally in the sun then the salt is harvested. We periodically test the Sea Salt for microplastics with our laboratory in the USA (EMSL). The coastal areas of the equator are ideal for sea salt production as the sun and wind are constant for much of the year.

One day, over a great cup of coffee and some Schullo cookies, we thought, why don’t we provide the same premium ingredients for our customers for their own pantry? The same ingredients we use for your favorite Schullo products. To cut a long story short “Our Pantry” was born. Raw nuts, seeds and dried fruits from the Andean watersheds, chocolate chips made from Ecuador’s world-famous cacao, spices and more.

Amaranth is classified as a seed rather than a grain. Belonging to the family Amaranthaceae, amaranth is gluten-free. It can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.

Amaranth and quinoa are considered ancient grains. Compared to quinoa, amaranth is smaller and possesses a distinctive grassy smell and a nutty, herbal taste. When cooking amaranth, it is added to boiling water and cooked until the liquid is absorbed. For a pilaf, the recommended measurements are 1 cup of amaranth to 1 1/2 cups of water; for cereal, 1 cup of amaranth requires 2 1/2 cups of water.

Amaranth seeds can also be popped and added to baked goods for a unique texture. They can be used in various recipes, including salads, breads, and cookies, for both savory and sweet dishes.

Endowed with a delicate citronella aroma, this unique recipe is scented with powdered lemon ants. For the most refined and adventurous palates. This bar of exclusive To’ak chocolate is perfect for sampling this rare delight. To’ak is rightly known as the most expensive chocolate in the world.

To’ak chocolates are made from some of the rarest cocoa beans in the world “Ancient Nacional”, which traces its lineage back more than 5000 years.  Ecuador is home to the first known cacao trees on earth. In the 1800’s Ecuador was producing, what was considered by European chocolatiers the finest cacao available. In the early 1900’s it was wiped out by a disease, and a century of hybridization followed.  This ancient variety of cacao, “Ancient Nacional”,  was thought to be extinct until recently. Some healthy trees were found still growing wild in the Piedra de Plata region of Ecuador.

"Significant tannins and rich blackberry velvet. Good." Primitivo is a fine grape from Italy. Pairs well with beef and pasta.

Expert wine reviewers such as Vivino proclaimed it to be "Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 41% more…"

So, in a nutshell this falls into our own invented category of "wines we like." In this way we signify that these are very good table wines, and affordable for drinking with your everyday meals. Note that we also carry another category called "wines we love," just to differentiate, as those are very special and yes, pricey, thus reserved for special occasions.

Pumpkin seeds have been eaten for thousands of years, dating back to the highland regions of Oaxaca Mexico. Little green packets of protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, a healthy addition to your diet. Rich in manganese, Vitamin K, and zinc. Somewhat higher in calories than other seeds, so moderation is key. Great as a snack especially when roasted. Add them to smoothies, salads, cereals, baked muffins, and breads, you can blend them into dips such as hummus, guacamole, or pesto. 

One day, over a great cup of coffee and some Schullo cookies, we thought, why don’t we provide the same premium ingredients for our customers for their own pantry? The same ingredients we use for your favorite Schullo products. To cut a long story short “Our Pantry” was born. 

Rye kernels, often known as “rye berries,” consist of about 80-85% starchy endosperm, 2-3% germ, and 10-15% outer bran layers. Unlike most grains, rye contains fiber not only in the bran layers but also in the endosperm.

Rye is a highly nutritious grain with a high fiber content, and is rich in vitamins and minerals. Rye is packed with essential nutrients, particularly phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, and B vitamins. Low on the glycemic index and high in satiety, rye berries are a great choice. 

Cooking instructions:

Rinse the rye in a strainer, for each cup of rye add 3 cups of water, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and simmer for 45-60 minutes until they reach the desired tenderness. Some recipes recommend soaking the rye berries overnight to reduce cooking time and enhance digestibility and nutrient availability, but this step is optional.

A To’ak rendition of a traditional sweet treat one finds at roadside stands in equatorial landscapes. Roasted popped amaranth—a protein-rich Andean superfood—is covered with caramel and a delicate layer of cacao butter. Popped seeds are an ancestral preparation in the homeland of cacao. This bar of exclusive To’ak chocolate is perfect for sampling this rare delight. 

To’ak chocolates are made from some of the rarest cocoa beans in the world “Ancient Nacional”, which traces its lineage back more than 5000 years.  Ecuador is home to the first known cacao trees on earth. In the 1800’s Ecuador was producing, what was considered by European chocolatiers the finest cacao available. This ancient variety of cacao, “Ancient Nacional”,  was thought to be extinct until recently. Some healthy trees were found still growing wild in the Piedra de Plata region of Ecuador.

We love this Sauvignon Blanc especially on a hot day! New Zealand is famous for many things, including the spectacular scenery, but worldwide it’s Sauvignon Blancs are renowned for the intense fruity notes and a clean crisp finish. 

Marlborough is known as the Sauvignon Blanc capital. The region has been producing wines since the first winemakers recognized something special in the land and planted the first vineyards in the 1880s. It is a fabulous region to spend a few days visiting the boutique vineyards and cafes and of course sampling a glass or two. 

Alluvial soils, cool nights, and bright sunny days produce a Sauvignon Blanc of unparalleled intensity and aroma. It pairs beautifully with white meat, pasta, fresh fish, all your favorite seafood, and cheese, (don’t’ forget the chutney). Store in a cool, dry place. Best served chilled sitting by the Ocean.

Our premium organic dark chocolate chips are a real treat. 50% cacao along with cacao butter and panela. Perfect for baking, desserts, hot drinks, and snacking. There are numerous benefits to dark chocolate as many scientific studies have noted. Rich in flavanols, minerals and fiber, a small portion of dark chocolate can even put you in a better mood! Due to certain antioxidants (polyphenolic compounds) these help to lower cortisol, a stress hormone. The recommended serving size is 1-2 ounces (30-60 grams), unless you are very stressed…

One day, over a great cup of coffee and some Schullo cookies, we thought, why don’t we provide the same premium ingredients for our customers for their own pantry? The same ingredients we use for your favorite Schullo products. To cut a long story short “Our Pantry” was born.

Barley is a versatile grain with a rich history dating back thousands of years. It is not only a great whole grain to add to your kitchen pantry, but also a nutritional powerhouse packed with fiber and essential minerals. Whole (hulled) barley has the inedible outer hull removed from the grain while retaining its fiber-rich bran and endosperm layers.

From enriching soups and salads to serving as a base for warm, comforting risotto, there are countless ways to incorporate barley into your meals. 

Cooking Barley is easy:

• Combine 1 part barley with 3 parts water in a saucepan, adding a pinch of salt, and bring the mixture to a boil

• Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer, and let it cook until it achieves a chewy but tender texture

• Hulled barley needs 50-60 minutes to cook properly.

Using the Italian confiserie technique frutta candita, we cook orange skins with sugar. They are then cut into small cubes, covered in cacao butter, and integrated into the chocolate along with salt crystals. Our friends at Galapagos Safari Camp harvest the sea salt and oranges by hand on Santa Cruz Island. This bar of exclusive To’ak chocolate is perfect for sampling this rare delight.

To’ak chocolates are made from some of the rarest cocoa beans in the world “Ancient Nacional”, which traces its lineage back more than 5000 years.  Ecuador is home to the first known cacao trees on earth. In the 1800’s Ecuador was producing, what was considered by European chocolatiers the finest cacao available. This ancient variety of cacao, “Ancient Nacional”,  was thought to be extinct until recently. Some healthy trees were found still growing wild in the Piedra de Plata region of Ecuador.