Tasty, protein-rich and with zero impact: le snails I am the future. A certainly more philosophical version of the circular economy and which still has no scientific value, but which bases its essence precisely on the snail. Betting on its potential, not only in terms of food, is the Cherasco International Institute of Heliciculture, led since 2016 by Simone Sampò, a Piedmontese entrepreneur with a long experience in the field of snail farming. And at the base the "Cherasco method", sustainable and cruelty free, able to donate an organic and green product that involves several sectors: agriculture, gastronomy, cosmetics e pharmaceutica.
If the idea of snails at the table can still impress some, just think that the Greeks attributed aphrodisiac virtues to them and for this reason dedicated a special fork to them, while the Romans considered them a fashionable food served during banquets in the Empire, to then move on to a poor dish during famines (from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth century).
THE MARKET OF SNAILS
After Piedmont, one of the most active regions is the Toscana. Since 2016, 82 farms have been opened, while the hectares destined are just under 40 with an average of less than one hectare per company. In Italy there are 1.020 farms of which 715 follow the disciplinary for one turnover from 350 million euros and almost 10 thousand employees, constantly increasing over the last decade. While the volume is 2 billion worldwide. However, the demand is greater than the supply. Currently, only 10% of the raw material comes from Tuscany, 80% from abroad (France, Turkey and North Africa), often a poorer product of which the type of breeding, feeding or production cannot be traced. age of snails. To say it is Coldiretti on the basis of the data elaborated by the Cherasco National Institute of Heliciculture.
The breeding of Arcenni family it is among the largest in Tuscany by extension and follows the Cherasco method. It is located in Capannoli, in the Alta Valdera and at the helm are two women, mother Mariliana and her daughter Antonia. There are over a million snails raised in the 2,5 hectares outdoors, fed with carrots, radicchio, cabbage, and sunflower self-produced by our company. In fact, according to the "Cherasco Method Snail" specification, breeding must be outdoors in a complete natural (symbiotic) cycle and based on the self-sustaining of the plants: the snail must feed only with specially produced plant products that grow directly from the earth of the helitex mesh fence that hosts it.
SNAILS AT THE TABLE
There are dishes that belong to the Italian tradition, such as stewed snails, and other recipes imported from abroad, such as the bourguignonne of French cuisine. They are also excellent in tempura or even with butter, parsley and garlic. But gourmet specialties such as snail salami, liqueur and snail caviar have always arrived on the market. Real luxury goods if you consider that a 50 gram pack of snail salami can cost up to 100 euros.
SNAILS: NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES
The meat is rich in protein (13,4%), mineral salts (calcium, magnesium, iron and copper) and low in fat (1,7%). Excellent source of vitamin B12, they contain more than red meat. This food can be compared to a light and digestible dietary dish: about 100 calories per 80 grams. The low carbohydrate content makes it nutritionally similar to freshwater fish. They are particularly indicated in case of dysfunctions such as glycemia and cholesterolemia.
SNAILS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Snail farms are eco-sustainable thanks to their low environmental impact: they do not produce waste or polluting emissions. Furthermore, they can be fed with vegetable waste and have a beneficial effect on the soil as well. But above all they are one of the best answers to the growing global demand for animal proteins.
SNAILS AND COSMETICS
Another known use is cosmetics: snail slime has been used in beauty treatments for thousands of years, Hippocrates already used it to treat his skin. It is the secretion useful to the land snail to prevent dehydration of the exposed soft tissues and as a shield against external aggressions (the same thing applies when we apply it on our skin). In particular, the substance used in the cosmetic sector is the slime produced by the Helix Aspersa variety, the most common snail species in the Mediterranean basin.
The particular composition, rich in antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, hydrates the skin, fights free radicals and acts as a natural antibiotic, eliminating acne and impurities.
