TuttoCalabria – how a chili pepper from Calabria conquered the world

TuttoCalabria is a family business from Southern Italy, Calabria, specializing in Calabrian chili pepper and traditional delicacies of the region. The brand’s story dates back to 1970, when spouses Adele and Antonio Celli began canning garden-grown chilies and vegetables according to their family recipes.

Today, the small artisan factory has grown into an international brand, with products already sold in more than ten countries – from Italy and Europe to the USA and Australia.

TuttoCalabria literally means “all of Calabria” – it is a story told through flavors of mountains, the seaside, red clay soil, and the Mediterranean sun.


Calabria – the land where chili pepper is king

Calabria is the southernmost part of Italy’s ‘boot,’ characterized by:

  • mountainous landscape and terraced fields
  • warm, yet windy Mediterranean climate
  • mineral-rich red clay soil.

These conditions create something special with Calabrian chili pepper:
it is simultaneously spicy, fruity, slightly smoky, and a little sweet.

TuttoCalabria grows its chilies on sunny slopes, harvests them when ripe, and dries and processes them using traditional methods to preserve their flavor and vibrant red color.


Family-owned brand – a business born from a love story

Before founding the company, Adele and Antonio grew chili peppers in their garden and preserved them in olive oil, adding fresh vegetables. Initially, it was a way to care for family and friends. Only later did the idea emerge to share this flavor with the world.

  1. In 1970, TuttoCalabria was officially founded – a small family business where jars were filled by hand. Today, the business is run by subsequent generations, but the core idea has remained the same:

to take Calabria’s best chili pepper and vegetables, process them with respect, and bring to the table a flavor that is both homely and strikingly intense.


Why TuttoCalabria?

1. Specialization in Calabrian Chili

TuttoCalabria does not produce ‘a little bit of everything.’ The core of their identity is peperoncino calabrese – chili pepper from Calabria. The company is one of the first to systematically produce and market such products both in Italy and worldwide.

2. Tradition + Quality

  • chilies are harvested when ripe, when the flavor is most aromatic;
  • sun-drying and traditional processing methods are used;
  • products are made in the family company’s factory in Marcellinara, Calabria.

3. Wide, yet well-thought-out assortment

TuttoCalabria’s assortment is built on a simple logic – everything revolves around chili. Their e-shop has separate categories: chili peppers, sauces and seasonings, antipasti and side dishes, stuffed vegetables, spices, gifts.

4. Natural and ingredient-focused approach

TuttoCalabria products have a short list of ingredients: chili pepper, olive oil or sunflower oil, salt, vinegar, and vegetables. Many products are also suitable for vegans, such as chili paste, some sauces, and tomato-based products.


TuttoCalabria’s world of flavors: product categories

1. Calabrian Chili Pepper – the heart of the brand

This is where it all begins. TuttoCalabria offers chili in many different forms:

  • Chili Pepper in Olive Oil – whole or chopped fruits in oil, suitable for pizza, pasta, and bruschetta.
  • Sliced Chili Pepper – slices preserved in oil, which can be used to flavor sandwiches, salads, and grilled dishes.
  • Crushed Chili Pepper – an iconic product, sold in both small and large 33.5 oz jars; suitable for adding “a spoonful of flavor” to any dish.
  • Chili Pepper Powder – sun-dried and finely ground pepper, perfect for pizza, meat, vegetables, and even chocolate desserts.

These products provide the base note for the entire rest of the assortment – from sauces to spice blends.

2. Sauces and Seasonings

Here you’ll find some “ready-made solutions” – all you need to do is open the jar.

  • Calabrian Chili Sauce – a sauce whose recipe is based on the family’s century-long experience in chili cultivation. It has a deep flavor, well-balanced spiciness, and is suitable for both pasta and meat.
  • Explosive Mixture (Miscela Esplosiva) – a legendary blend created by Antonio Celli in 1970, mixing chili pepper with fresh vegetables. The result is an “explosive” flavor, used as a sauce, bread spread, or marinade.
  • ‘Nduja Oil – oil infused with the spiciness of Calabria’s famous ‘nduja sausage; excellent for pizza, grilled vegetables, and pasta.

This category also includes various spreads, pestos, and chili pastes, with which you can create a “restaurant-level” flavor in seconds.

3. Antipasti and Stuffed Vegetables

In Calabria, appetizers are as important as main courses. TuttoCalabria offers:

  • chili peppers stuffed with tuna and breadcrumbs – especially popular as an aperitif or part of an antipasto. The savory-marine note of the filling and the spicy background of the chili together create a truly memorable bite.

Similarly, other vegetables in oil are also available, which are suitable both as a centerpiece for an appetizer platter and as an accompaniment to salads and warm dishes.

4. Spices and Herbs

In addition to chili, TuttoCalabria has created a line of spices and herbs, where you can find, among other things:

  • Calabrian Oregano Leaves – oregano with an intense aroma and deep flavor, valued worldwide; suitable for pizza, grilled cheese, and vegetables.

These products are intended for those who want to create their own spice blends, as well as for professional chefs.

5. Gifts and Sets

TuttoCalabria understands well that chili pepper is an ideal gift for a food gourmet. Therefore, the assortment includes gift sets which combine, for example, different forms of chili – whole, crushed, and sliced – or a selection of sauces and antipasti.


How to use TuttoCalabria products?

TuttoCalabria does not just sell “a spicy jar,” but encourages people to use Calabrian flavors in their everyday cooking. Their website has a separate recipe section for antipasto, pasta dishes, main courses, and even desserts.

Some practical ideas:

  1. Pizza and Focaccia
    • add crushed chili or sliced pepper before baking;
    • drizzle ‘nduja oil on finished pizza just before serving.
  2. Pasta
    • mix Explosive Mixture or Calabrian Chili Sauce directly with cooked pasta and add a little pasta water – you’ll get a quick spicy dinner;
    • use chili powder to make a classic aglio, olio e peperoncino version.
  3. Marinades and Grilling
    • mix crushed chili with olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic, and marinate chicken, fish, or vegetables in it;
  4. Antipasto and Snacks
    • stuffed chili peppers with tuna are perfect alongside a cheese and meat selection;
    • serve chili in olive oil with ciabatta or focaccia – simple, yet effective.
  5. Daily “flavor boost”
    • keep a jar of crushed chili in the fridge and add half a teaspoon to soup, stew, or omelet whenever you want a little “kick” to the flavor.

Who is TuttoCalabria for?

  • Home cooks who love Italian cuisine and want authentic flavor, not just “spicy ketchup”;
  • Restaurants and cafes whose menus include pizzas, pastas, antipasti, or grilled dishes and who want to give their dishes an authentic Southern Italian signature;
  • Delicatessens and importers who are looking for a brand with a clear story – TuttoCalabria is actively seeking partners among agents, distributors, and importers.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about TuttoCalabria

Are TuttoCalabria products very spicy?
Calabrian chili pepper is inherently spicy, yet also fruity and aromatic. The brand offers products of varying heat levels – from moderately spicy sauces to very hot crushed chilies.

Are TuttoCalabria products vegan-friendly?
Many products are free from animal ingredients – for example, chili pastes, powders, some sauces, and herbs. However, the selection also includes tuna-stuffed peppers and other non-vegan products, so it’s always advisable to read the label.

Where are TuttoCalabria products made?
The company operates in Calabria, in the Marcellinara region (CZ), and has remained a family business since its inception.

How old is the TuttoCalabria brand?
The company was founded in 1970, but the family’s experience in growing chili peppers dates back to the early 20th century.

What distinguishes TuttoCalabria from other chili brands?
The focus is solely on Calabrian chili pepper, traditional methods, family-historical recipes, and simple, yet high-quality ingredients. Additionally, the brand is one of the first to internationally market typical Calabrian products.


Summary: one jar, all of Calabria

TuttoCalabria is not just the name of a spice jar. It is:

  • a family story that began in a small garden and kitchen in Calabria;
  • a tribute to chili pepper that highlights the unique climate and soil of the region;
  • a complete collection of flavors – from powder and crushed pepper to sauces, antipasti, and gift sets;
  • a source of inspiration for everyone who wants to create something spicy, yet balanced and flavorful, in their kitchen.

If you like keywords such as “Calabrian chili pepper”, “Italian spicy sauce”, “chili paste” or “authentic Italian flavor”, then TuttoCalabria is a brand you’ll want to remember.

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