The mill and the forgotten charm of the millstone that transforms the grain

Being good hearted or having a dark soul character, the miller has always been a figure evoked by the most popular children’s fables and fairy tales.

He – the conductor, the master, the helmsman of the mill – was one of the protagonists in fascinating childhood stories of yore. Today, we can still find millers bound to the antique art of grain grinding; careful, precise and a bit stubborn, these grindstone professionals do not want to abandon such a healthy, sobering art. In Molise, there are many mills that are functioning as in past times – here, just like in fables, millers take great care of the grain, grinding it and producing professional quality flour dedicated to various artisanal food procedures. The millers hold a concept of flour that is gentile and respectful: there are flours produced solely for technical or industrial processes, while there are flours made to preserve all the goodness of the grain, thus recovering the fragrances and consistencies of those flours used in antiquity. This craft is usually inherited by families, and every day the millers work to find new solutions capable of integrating technological developments with the demands dictated by new food styles and standards. Thanks to this activity, we can still benefit from the rich nutrient qualities found in ancient grains. With I Viaggi dell’Origano, visiting a millstone will be an ongoing discovery between quality and the particular characteristics of local grains, cereals and stone-ground flours. The stones used in the mills are uniquely especial since they can maintain unaltered the properties of the cereal and enhance their essential aromas, transmitting us the love for this craft and the passion for its tradition. The elaboration of wholemeal flours can also be discovered in the mills that process professional quality flour, along with ancient cereals recently rediscovered such as the Agostinello maize, the local spelt variety, or the Senatore Cappelli or Saragolla durum wheats. All these cereals are rich in fibre and nutrients, and are well known for their antioxidant properties. To crown the experience, for the guests of I Viaggi dell’Origano, there will be the possibility to prepare doughs that will be later cooked and tasted in an informal, genuine and succulent group meal.

We have selected only cozy, high-quality, environmentally-friendly accommodations. They are all in an authentic urban context, in contact with local people. The strengths are the hospitable approach and the welcoming culture. You can choose the accommodation when you customize the your tour.