Then I asked what the eyes discovered.
I was answered: “It is the elevation of Etna which arches to adapt to the curve of the sky”.
Illusion? Reality? I can only say that I have never forgotten this extraordinary vision.
(Bernard Berenson)
Etna, known for being the most important active volcano in Europe, is one of the most iconic mountains in the world. With it 3,357 meters of height, it dominates the eastern coast of Sicily. For its people, however, Etna is much more…it is considered a real mother who has watched over their land for over 570 thousand years.
A place where, over time, myth and nature have made “a Muntagna” the symbol of Sicilian culture and biodiversity.
The Cedracca grows along the slopes of Etna, a small fern with an alpine flavor, traditionally known by the name of “Spaccapietre”. Its strong aroma, together with the intensity of the Etna Juniper berries, gives life to “Spaccapietre”, the gin with a unique and overwhelming flavor.
We present Salvatore, our trusted collector and great connoisseur of the Etna flora. For generations he and his family have dedicated themselves to harvesting the Cedracca, preserving its extraordinary qualities.
The history of Cedracca is a very ancient story that lies in the Sicilian tradition.
The “Ceterach Officinarum” was originally used to create infusions as a remedy against kidney stones, given its diuretic properties (still present today in many food supplements). Precisely from this ability of the fern to “break” kidney stones, the name “Spaccapietre”, used to identify the plant, began to spread in the Sicilian territory.
During the autumn period, after the rains, our ancestors used to wake up at dawn to reach the slopes of Etna and look for the small fern among the rocks, so as to collect it and use it to create medical infusions.
The Cedracca, scientifically known by the name of “Ceterach Officinarum”, is a small fern, very widespread in Italy, which grows in regions with a mild climate.
It is often found on walls or rocks and what makes it unique is certanly its ability to grow by breaking stones. This happens thanks to its roots which are able to penetrate the cracks of the rocks and expand, until they break. Its extract is still used today to create food supplements that promote human wee-being.
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