THE TYPICAL PRODUCTS OF THE AMALFI COAST

At first glance, the Amalfitan territory may seem difficult to cultivate, due to the rugged and steep morphology: the coast is in fact characterized by almost vertical terrain, which slopes very quickly into the sea. Over the centuries, however, the inhabitants of the area have learned to exploit the land in a really ingenious way, that is, by creating terraces along the walls of the mountains. In this way, the arable space has increased tremendously! Not only that, but the favorable exposure, mild climate and protection of the Lattari Mountains made the soil fertile and suitable for growing citrus fruits, fruit and vineyards.

Among these gifts of the earth stands out above all the lemon, in the variant that goes by the name of “sfusato amalfitano”: tapered, bright yellow, fragrant and rich in vitamins C and essential oils, it is the symbolic product par excellence of the Coast! Its production is controlled, as stipulated by the PGI designation, i.e., Protected Geographical Indication, according to which one of the stages of production, processing or elaboration of the agricultural product must necessarily take place within a specified geographical area, in this case the municipalities belonging to the Amalfi Coast. This is why the lemon, here, is everywhere: in cooking, in sweets, in drinks, but also in the form of souvenirs, printed on shirts and tea towels or painted in pictures. 

Another record product is wine! Not everyone knows that, among the hundreds of fine Italian wines, there are some typical of the Amalfi Coast: if you want more details, I have already told you about them in this article! As with lemon groves, in the case of vineyards, terracing has been fundamental to cultivation. To date, there are three main areas of wine production: the municipalities of Tramonti, Ravello and Furore, i.e., the hilliest areas of the coast, from which wines with the prized designation “Amalfi Coast DOC” are produced. You must try them all!

In addition, one of the most famous and tasty cheeses is produced in the mountain village of the Coast: Agerola’s fiordilatte! This is a fresh dairy product, similar to mozzarella, made using raw whole milk. It is certainly one of the most widely used products in restaurants and, above all, a ubiquitous ingredient on all the pizzas in the area, especially that of Tramonti. 

Let us not forget that the Coast also owes so much to the sea! And in fact it is from the sea that comes another of its typical products, probably the most particular of all: colatura di alici! It is an amber-colored sauce with an intense flavor, which is obtained by macerating anchovies put in salt. The procedure for making colatura is very old and is typical of the tradition of the seaside village of Cetara. This product has also obtained the DOP mark, that is, Protected Designation of Origin, and is used in one of the most famous identity dishes of coastal cuisine: spaghetti with anchovy colatura. Believe me, if you want to taste something unique and that will stick in your memory, you just can't do without it!

Coastal crafts come in many forms: from fabrics to ceramics and paper, every village has something to offer!
Positano's Moda Mare (literally: seaside fashion industry) is certainly the most renowned: it was brought to prominence by the likes of Jackie Kennedy and Brigitte Bardot in the 1950s, and even today, linen dresses and handmade bespoke sandals are among the most sought-after handicrafts.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, there is another type of object that brings to mind the Amalfi Coast at first glance: ceramics! Vietri sul Mare, in particular, has a long history of pottery making, as we have told you here. At least once in your life, you will have already happened to see the famous riggiole: those colorful glazed tiles that are now found everywhere in the finest hotels and restaurants, decorating floors and walls. Not only that: so many restaurants on the Coast serve their food on decorated ceramic plates, while souvenir stores sell a thousand and one artifacts of the same material. In short, here, majolica tiles are really everywhere, even on the roofs of churches! It is really impossible not to notice and admire them!

Finally, we must not forget another typical product of the Coast, with very ancient origins, which still fascinates locals, tourists and enthusiasts: the Amalfi paper! Here in Amalfi, in fact, you will come across dozens of small stores pervaded by the unmistakable scent of new paper, a real joy for some! Paper production dates back to the time of the Maritime Republic of Amalfi, when paper mills used the water of the Canneto River in the Valle dei Mulini to be able to produce it. Only a few remain in operation today, but if their history has intrigued you, you can always visit the Amalfi Paper Museum to learn more.

In short, the Amalfi Coast really has a lot to offer, in so many different areas. Take advantage of our tips so you don't miss a single one of its typical products on your next trip!