After the Olympic success and medals on TV, fencing takes the stage among the public.

On Sunday, September 29th, from 3 to 4 PM, in the Chimney Courtyard inside the recently renovated Manifattura Tabacchi (Via delle Cascine 35), children and teenagers can try fencing for free with foil, epee, and saber under the guidance of instructors from the historic Roberto Raggetti Fencing Club of Florence.

The initiative is organized thanks to a recent collaboration between the gym on Via Arcangelo Corelli 19 and Bottega Biologica, a shop selling bulk, zero-mile, and fair-trade products located right inside Manifattura Tabacchi.

This season, the shop has become the Official Supplier of the fencing club.

The free trial session will last one hour, and reservations are required via WhatsApp at +39 340-740.62.94.

“The event is aimed at children and teenagers aged 6 to 18, offering them a chance to discover a sport they’ve likely only seen on TV, perhaps during the recent Paris Olympics,” explains Filippo Pini, founder and owner of Bottega Biologica, which opened in 2023. “At the end of the trial, the Raggetti club will provide information about the new season, last year’s achievements, and upcoming goals, introducing all the instructors.”

Afterward, participants will move to the Bottega Biologica store for a refreshment featuring “bio” products from Tuscan farms.

Bottega Biologica is located at Via delle Cascine 35, building B5. It is a space where familiarity meets a strong focus on respecting raw materials (genuine products), the systems in which they are produced (without the use of chemicals), and support for small local farms.

Everything is certified “bio” because, as Filippo Pini explains, “only this way do we protect both the earth and our bodies.”

Inside the store, you can find many bulk, zero-mile, and fair-trade products: seasonal fruit and vegetables; bread made from ancient grains; Tuscan eggs from “musical farms”; a selection of cheeses and meats; bulk detergents; personal care products; bulk pasta, rice, legumes, and dried fruits; vegan products; artisanal croissants, cookies, and plant-based drinks; “grandmother-style” jams and preserves; wines from the Etruscan coast and Chianti; and beers made with mountain water from Pian della Mussa.

The supply agreement with the Raggetti gym includes discounts on product purchases for families of fencing club members. Additionally, the shop supplies “bio” food twice a week directly to the gym, so coaches and athletes can fuel their bodies with the best “fuel” possible.

For more information:
informazioni@bottegabiologica.it

The Raggetti Fencing Club operates out of the Il Barco gym, with qualified instructors and certified technicians conducting training for children and teenagers every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5 to 8 PM and every Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 9 PM.

Founded in 1908, Raggetti was the first fencing club established in Florence. Over more than a century, it has nurtured fencers of national and international standing.

The club’s medal record includes 90 golds, 33 silvers, and 34 bronzes across the Olympics, World Cups, European, Italian, absolute, military, and category championships. It has also been awarded the CONI Gold Star for Sporting Merit and is registered with UNASCI (National Union of Centenary Italian Associations).

For more information: www.raggetti.it

Fencing as a Sport

Fencing is practiced with three distinct weapons: foil, saber, and epee, each differing in shape and rules. Both men and women can practice all three specialties.

Foil

The youngest fencers usually start with this weapon, which can only score with the tip. It is considered the best for learning fundamental actions. The valid target is the torso, covered by a conductive jacket. The head, arms, and legs are non-valid targets. In the event of a double hit, the referee applies the “convention,” a set of rules based on duel logic, awarding the point to the first attacker, the one who parries and ripostes, or the one whose weapon is “in line” (arm extended with the tip threatening the valid target) before the opponent’s attack begins.

Saber

This specialty also follows the “convention,” but the valid target is broader, including the entire upper body. Hits to other areas of the body are not counted. The saber allows strikes with the entire blade—tip and edge. It is the most dynamic and fast-paced weapon, ideal for those with a lively and aggressive temperament.

Epee

This weapon scores only with the tip, and the entire body is a valid target. There is no “convention”; the point is awarded to the first fencer to hit. In the case of a double hit within 40-50 milliseconds, both fencers are awarded a point. It is the most mature and contemplative specialty, preserving many characteristics of the traditional duel.

Bottega Biologica becomes the Official Supplier of the Raggetti Fencing Gym.

This store, specializing in organic products and opened in spring 2023 within the recently redeveloped Manifattura Tabacchi in Florence, will serve as the official supplier of the historic fencing club starting from the 2024-2025 season. The club, rooted in the Tuscan capital’s history, dates back to 1908.

The Raggetti Fencing Club operates at Via Arcangelo Corelli 19, “not far from our shop,” notes Filippo Pini. “It represents an outstanding local institution and was the first fencing gym established in the city. We strongly believe in the values of sports and athletic practice, and we consider it essential to provide top-quality food to young athletes, so they can train well and always strive for the best.”

This partnership is built on shared values, offering the families of Raggetti’s young athletes discounts on purchases at Bottega Biologica. Additionally, twice a week, the gym will receive a supply of organic products to ensure that both coaches and fencers always have access to the best. “We are passionate about fencing: first me as a youth, and later my older children all practiced it,” smiles the owner of Bottega Biologica. “Raggetti has excellent instructors and a rich history, not to mention that over time it has sent several athletes to national teams and even the Olympics.”

A presentation event for this collaboration is scheduled for Sunday, September 29, at the Bottega Biologica store in Manifattura Tabacchi. Children and teens will have the chance to try fencing with foil, epee, or sabre and learn about the upcoming competitive season, all while enjoying tastings of organic products from Tuscan farms.

For more information: informazioni@bottegabiologica.it

A sensory journey celebrating the excellence of organic coffees from CaffèLab, a local artisan roastery.
On Thursday, June 20th, at 6:00 PM, Bottega Biologica hosts a unique tasting experience of Specialty Coffee.
A coffee expert from CaffèLab will guide the tasting, sharing every nuance, aromatic characteristic, and hidden curiosity.

On Thursday, May 16th, starting at 6:00 PM, come and try this famous beverage at our Bottega in Manifattura Tabacchi.

Crafted using the traditional recipe of classic fermented green tea, Kombucha MUN boasts a spicy flavor with citrus notes. It is rich in probiotics, amino acids, enzymes, antioxidants, minerals, and organic acids, unpasteurized, and with a low sugar residue.

This is MUN Kombucha—a refreshing and thirst-quenching product in a practical glass bottle that reimagines the classic recipe of sweet tea fermentation in an innovative and healthy way. This ancient tradition now meets modern tastes.

Kombucha is simply fermented tea—100% vegan and gluten-free—made from just a few simple ingredients: green tea, sugar, and a symbiotic culture of yeast and bacteria that coexist in harmony.

This product is an excellent alternative to traditional beverages, ideal for a relaxing aperitif or as a refreshing drink for a flavorful and bold break. Thanks to the spicy and fragrant notes of turmeric and orange in this unique version of MUN Kombucha, it’s perfect for any occasion.

Rich in natural probiotics that aid digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, detoxify the body, purify the digestive system, and boost immunity, MUN Kombucha refreshes and detoxifies the body at the same time.
It’s also an energizing drink that helps curb hunger, reduces cholesterol levels, and helps regulate blood sugar.

MUN Kombuchas are packed with natural probiotics, amino acids, enzymes, antioxidants, minerals, and organic acids such as gluconic, acetic, lactic, and saccharic acid.

Benefits

MUN products naturally develop their refreshing bubbles and distinct characteristics during the fermentation process with a SCOBY culture (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast).
This layer of cellulose forms and sustains itself within the kombucha and is a vital element for its fermentation.

Did You Know?

It is believed that this drink, once called the “tea of immortality,” originated in the Manchurian region of China before spreading throughout Asia and into Russia.

From there, Kombucha made its way to the West through the Russian Empire.

The Western name for this drink, “kombucha,” is thought to have arisen from a misunderstanding between English-speaking visitors and the Japanese people, where the drink was already popular.

In Japanese, “kombucha” literally means “seaweed tea.” It’s likely that the first Europeans to try kombucha confused its Japanese name, *kocha kinoko*, with seaweed tea, giving rise to a completely new—and incorrect—name for this fermented beverage.

Come and discover the wide selection of organic Kombucha available at our Bottega!

SABATO 22/07
ORE 11.00

Learn everything about Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil during our tasting experience, exploring the most important steps of the olive oil production process—from harvest to bottling!

You will visit Fattoria Triboli, a certified organic farm that practices regenerative and organic agriculture in Impruneta, Tuscany, nestled in the rolling hills near Chianti.

Fattoria Triboli specializes in producing high-quality Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, using the state-of-the-art Mori-Tem mill equipped with the latest innovative technologies.

Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours

• Welcome: The meeting point will be at the entrance of Fattoria Triboli. Look for the green gate at Via di Cappello 44, 50023, Impruneta (FI).
• Farm Tour: Explore the farm grounds and learn about the regenerative organic farming methods used at Fattoria Triboli. You will visit the olive groves, the lake, the forest, and the organic vegetable garden, where our seasonal produce is grown. Finally, meet the farm animals, including pigs, goats, chickens, and bees!
• The Olive Mill: Dive into the world of organic extra virgin olive oil. Together, we’ll learn how to identify high-quality olive oil and understand the step-by-step process of cold mechanical pressing.
• Relaxation Time: At the end of the experience, take some time to relax, enjoy the stunning views of the olive groves, and savor fresh, zero-mile seasonal vegetables from Fattoria Triboli.

For more information and reservations, contact us!

With this experience, we aim to share our passion for olives and our expertise, so you’ll be able to recognize high-quality organic EVOO in the future!