An old farmhouse, a forgotten grain, and a dream come true. Wim and his wife Mick have, for several years now, divided their time between Belgium and Italy. Through their company, Terra Suasa, they import and sell artisanal products from the Le Marche region, including at the Friday market in Tervuren.
What began as a passion for Italy evolved into a completely different lifestyle. “We have always been Italophiles,” says Wim. “We love the culture, the cuisine. Tuscany used to be our favorite destination, but over time it became too expensive. Then my Italian teacher recommended Le Marche. It’s still very authentic there.”
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Twenty years ago, Wim and Mick impulsively purchased an old tenant farm in Castelleone di Suasa. The house was dilapidated, but the location was enchanting. “We carried out the restoration with the help of local people.”
Through these connections, they also met small-scale farmers from the region. “We buy our products directly from small farms that produce their goods in a clean way,” says Wim. Often, these are young people who take over their grandparents’ farms and return to cultivating ancient crops and using traditional techniques.
“Italians are beginning to realize that healthy eating is important.”
One such example is a young couple who left their jobs in Rome to start cultivating an ancient grain: Khorasan, a grain that was already grown during the time of the Egyptians. “And they do it in a truly organic way. Completely organic. No pesticides, no chemical fertilizers.”
The pasta is also made using traditional methods. “The grain is stone-ground. They make dough from it and then shape it into forms—shells, tubes, or tagliatelle. They use bronze molds, which helps preserve the flavor of the grain.”
For the past two and a half years, Wim and his wife have been at markets six days a week, with Tervuren being a regular spot.
With Terra Suasa, the couple sells not only pasta but also olive oil, jam, honey, and regional products like broad bean tapenade. The name refers to the Cesano River that flows through their valley.
“In the end, it became a hobby that got out of hand,” Wim smiles. “But one with a lot of passion.”
Meer informatie: https://terrasuasa.com
Door Dafydd ab Iago. © Artikel en foto gelicentieerd © 2024 voor Tervuren+ onder de Creative Commons Naamsvermelding-GelijkDelen 4.0 Internationale licentie.
