Italy: The secret to making real Italian pesto

By Catherine Marshall
May 7 2016 - 12:15am
View of Portofino. Photo: Catherine Marshall
View of Portofino. Photo: Catherine Marshall
Guido Porrati demonstrates pesto making in the Italian town of Portofino. Photo: Catherine Marshall
Guido Porrati demonstrates pesto making in the Italian town of Portofino. Photo: Catherine Marshall
Portofino's piazetta. Photo: Catherine Marshall
Portofino's piazetta. Photo: Catherine Marshall
Italian produce in Portofino. Photo: Catherine Marshall
Italian produce in Portofino. Photo: Catherine Marshall

There's no easy way to make pesto. To start with, says Guido Porrati, this classic Italian sauce won't be much good unless it's been ground in a mortar made from Carrara marble. The pestle should be crafted from pear wood – impervious to odours, it won't taint the paste's sublime flavours. And the ingredients must be sourced with the greatest of care.