Dear Friends,
Spring has officially sprung! We've eagerly embraced the season's shift and our rotation of our favorite Spring and Summer recipes are in full swing! Inside this issue, you'll discover some fresh and mouthwatering ways to use our exceptional ingredients.
We've been quite busy on the road, connecting with customers at major gatherings like Winter Fancy Food and Expo West, as well as intimate regional distributor shows. The buzz everywhere? Tariffs—what items they'll affect, how substantial they'll be, and when they'll take effect. While this tariff chatter keeps us vigilant, one truth remains constant: Food is universal, essential, and especially during uncertain times, a welcome comfort.
We're noticing interesting trends: rising sales in staples like coffee, everyday little luxuries in chocolate, and our specialty conservas—always strong performers—attracting new enthusiasts and prompting expansion in varieties and labels. Stay tuned for exciting additions in this category! The Non-Alcoholic beverage scene continues to pour into the mainstream. What was once a small niche has exploded into popularity. At last year's Expo West, attendees fell in love with our iconic original Non-Alcoholic Bellini but, wondered about its retail placement. This year? They're confidently incorporating it into their growing Non-Alcoholic and Mixers sections. Restaurants across all segments are eagerly enhancing their Mocktail/Non-Alcoholic offerings. We're delighted to be at the forefront of this refreshing market evolution.
Looking ahead, Holiday 2025 planning is already underway. Keep an eye out for pre-order details on our celebrated Cipriani Panettone and other festive delicacies.
Thank you for your continued support of our brands. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team for anything you might need. Wishing you the best,
Maria Roemer
Director of Business Development
[email protected]
Gen Z and Millennials Approach to Specialty Food
In a world where experiences and authenticity matter more than ever, Gen Z and Millennials are redefining what it means to indulge. These consumers have shown a willingness to pay for quality, but with a caveat—they seek out affordable luxuries that deliver premium experiences without breaking the bank. Social media plays a significant role in influencing these purchasing decisions, driving demand for specialty products.
Today's young consumers demonstrate seemingly contradictory behaviors: price sensitivity alongside willingness to pay premiums for the right products. Younger consumers will selectively splurge on specialty food products that align with their values and lifestyles. Although some of these foods are less expensive than dining out, they carry equal or more credible social status. What drives their purchasing decisions?
- Authenticity is non-negotiable—products must have genuine heritage
- Social media-worthy presentation with strong visual appeal
- Convenience that doesn't sacrifice quality
- Sustainability credentials they can feel good about
17% of Gen Z users utilized TikTok for product research & 69% discovered new products & brands via social media.
Iconic Cipriani: A Heritage Brand with Modern Appeal; The Virgin Bellini, Bellini Sorbet & Gelato
Truffle Treasures: Affordable Truffle at Home; Melchiorri Truffle Sauces (Available in Black or White Truffle)
A Conservas Revolution: From the EU to the USA; Ortiz & Portomar Tinned and Jarred Seafood Variety
Cipriani Sorbet & Gelato
Looking for a fresh, modern spin on aperitivo? Meet Cipriani’s artisan sorbet and gelato— classic, all-natural, and irresistibly scoopable.
Why They’re Special? Cipriani’s frozen treats are made without dyes, preservatives, or added flavors--
Traditionally, aperitivo is about slowing down, savoring the moment, and whetting the appetite with small bites and crisp cocktails. Cipriani’s sorbet and gelato offer a contemporary, playful twist on this beloved ritual—perfect for spring events and summer gatherings.
Aperitivo Tips!
Pair gelato with an espresso to make a traditional Affogato.
Serve the Bellini sorbet in a coupe with a splash of prosecco.
Scoop gelato alongside fresh berries and a crisp white wine.
Explore all 3 flavors with an ice cream and sorbet flight.
Cipriani Chocolate Gelato delivers with unapologetic intensity.
- Italian free-range eggs contribute to a creamier and richer texture.
- Chocolate from Belgium, a country renowned for its meticulous chocolate craftsmanship. Belgian chocolatiers are known for their high cocoa content and slow conching techniques.
Cipriani Bellini Peach sorbet is a nod to Cipriani’s legendary cocktail, reimagined in frozen form.
- Features real white peach purée — just like the signature Cipriani Virgin Bellini.
- Light, bright, and naturally sweet, with no added flavors.
- Perfect as a palate cleanser, cocktail pairing, or frozen aperitivo moment.
Cipriani Vanilla Gelato made with Madagascar’s finest.
- Madagascar vanilla beans boast an exceptionally high vanillin content, offering rich flavor.
- Made with Italian free-range eggs for a rich and creamy custard base.
Lavender takes center stage this summer as the season's most captivating botanical trend. Our Lavender Lemon Poppy Loaf Cake showcases this fragrant flower perfectly, incorporating premium culinary lavender-infused extra virgin olive oil from France. Watch for lavender appearing in everything from savory dishes to craft cocktails this season as chefs and home bakers alike embrace this versatile Provençal treasure.
Lemon Poppy Seed Lavender Loaf
INGREDIENTS:
Make the Loaf
1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup sugar
½ cup plain yogurt (preferably whole milk)
¼ cup A L'Olivier Lavender Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil
¼ cup milk of choice
¼ cup Miraval Lavender Honey
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp poppy seeds
Zest of 1 lemon
Pinch of salt
Make the Glaze
¾ cup powdered sugar
2-3 tbsp lemon juice
Purple food dye (or for natural substitute consider ube or butterfly pea extract)
Dried Lavender to garnish (optional)
PREPARTATION:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a loaf pan with parchment and lightly coat with cooking spray.
In a bowl, rub lemon zest into sugar with your fingers until it feels like wet sand—this boosts the lemon flavor.
Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, poppy seeds, and salt. Whisk to combine. Stir in yogurt, A L’Olivier Lavender Olive Oil, Miraval Lavender Honey and milk until just mixed—don’t overdo it.
Pour batter into the pan. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 325°F and bake another 25–30 minutes.
Let loaf cool completely before slicing.
For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice and a drop of food dye or natural substitute. Drizzle over the loaf about 30 minutes after baking, then serve.
This playful Provençal olive oil bottles up those endless purple lavender fields that make summer in the South of France so magical.
Tradeshow Spotlight
Visit Us This Summer!
June 29 – July 1, 2025 • Javits Center • NYC
DeMedici Booth #2036
Atalanta Booth #2040
What a fantastic week at Natural Expo West in Anaheim! We had an incredible time showcasing Cipriani Food & Caffè Vergnano, serving our award-winning Women in Coffee espresso, Non-Alcoholic Cipriani Bellini, and fresh-cooked Cipriani egg pasta. Huge thanks to everyone who visited—looking forward to seeing you at the next event!
The Big Picture Difference
What makes these superfoods special isn't just their flavor but their story. Big Picture Foods specializes in Regenerative Organic Certified foods and partnering with small farmers comitted to regenerative agriculture.
What is Regenerative Agriculture?
Regenerative Agriculture is a holistic land management practice that leverages the power of photosynthesis in plants to close the carbon cycle, and build soil health, crop resilience and nutrient density. The flavors exceed organic standards, utilizing healthy soil cultivation that produces nutrient-dense foods with zingy, bright, and bold profiles. Big Picture Foods packs freshly harvested olives, peppers, and capers in mother brine (artesian mineral water, sea salt, and organic kosher wine vinegar), allowing natural fermentation and preservation without pasteurization, additives, or heat.
Coastal Flavors For Mediterranean Entertaining
Big Picture Foods delivers nutrient-rich, naturally fermented olives, capers, and peppers, perfect for snacking, tapas, or elevating your brunch spread. A well-crafted Mediterranean mezze board transforms any meal into a vibrant, communal experience, bringing friends and family together over a colorful array of flavors—ideal for light summer grazing and effortless aperitivo moments.
Bruschetta Elements
Roasted red peppers, capers, and olives transform simple bread into spectacular bruschetta.
A Greek Classic
A refreshing Greek salad perfectly complements the surrounding charcuterie board and other dishes.
Capers Wild-Forged Delights
Capers bring intense bursts of flavor in small packages.
Peppers With Personality
Pepperoncini, organic red, and banana peppers offer varying levels of sweetness and heat. Use vibrant colors brighten your board.
Olives The Heart of Mezze
Kalamata, Greek mix, and Amfissa olives bring distinctive briny flavors. Their natural acidity cuts through richness while adding authentic Mediterranean character.
A Mediterranean Mosaic
Complete your mezze by adding your favorite hunk of cheese, pita bread, aged meats and other accompaniments like nuts and fruits.