Amalfi lemons, renowned for their unique flavour and distinctive aroma, are a prized treasure of the Italian Amalfi Coast. Nestled along the sun-kissed cliffs from Positano to Vietri Sul Mare, this small, picturesque region has been cultivating these exceptional lemons for centuries. The lemons' history is deeply intertwined with the local culture, and they are celebrated through traditional recipes, artisanal crafts, and of course some of the most delicious recipes - in the most beautiful of destinations. Conte guests spend a day of their holidays to the Amalfi Coast in the beautiful lemon groves, walking and talking with a local guide and chef, exploring the most beautiful scenery; tasting Amalfi lemons in all the various forms they can take, from lemon curd to lemon jam, lemon-infused ricotta cheese, and of course limoncello.
The Divine Origin Story of the Amalfi Lemon: Discover Holidays to the Amalfi Coast
On a luxury holiday to Italy, after familiarising yourself with this precious citrus, discover the secrets of the talented beekeepers who facilitate the production of the local lemons, honey, and grapes with an on-the-ground Conte guide. We recommend following this with a lunch of lemon risotto, cooked by your own hands under the guidance of a celebrated local chef; light-hearted, deeply enjoyable and full of fun tastings and native passion, followed by a limoncello sampling - perfectly posed against the jewelled coastline of the Tyrrhenian sea.
Celebrated not only for their vibrant flavour but for the myths that surround them, these lemons are a gift to those who celebrate the ingenuity of simple ingredients. According to local lore, the Amalfi lemon is intertwined with the tale of the "Tree with Golden Apples," which was believed to be a lemon tree rather than the commonly depicted apple tree. This sacred tree, located in the garden of the Hesperides, was a gift from Gea (Mother Earth) to Hera, the wife of Zeus, as a wedding present. The tree was guarded by the Hesperides, three nymphs who protected its precious fruits.
During his twelve labours, Hercules was tasked with stealing these golden fruits. After successfully taking them, he brought them to the mortal world. Hercules, who was deeply in love with the nymph Amalfi, sought to honour her memory after her untimely death. Heartbroken, he searched for a place worthy of her beauty and found it along the stunning Amalfi Coast. There, in her honour, he planted the lemons from the garden of the Hesperides and named the town Amalfi after his beloved. Thus, the Amalfi Coast simultaneously became forever adorned with this magnificent citrus fruit, and the accompanying stories and divine legends that Conte's food journeys were designed to tell.