Cinta Senese: a symbol to save of Tuscan biodiversity

When we admire a Cinta Senese peacefully grazing in our woods, with its unmistakable white stripe on its dark coat, we’re not just looking at a beautiful animal. We are observing a living piece of Tuscan biodiversity, a precious heritage that, not many years ago, we seriously risked seeing disappear forever. Often, when we talk about biodiversity, our minds race to exotic forests or distant species, but the truth is that nature’s richness, the real kind, also hides here, in indigenous Italian breeds like our Cinta, animals that history and our territory have shaped, making them unique.

Today, we at Renieri want to tell you why safeguarding the Cinta Senese is a mission close to our hearts and how, in our small way, we proudly feel like its authentic guardians.

Why is the Cinta Senese so important for Tuscany’s biodiversity, beyond the fact that it provides us with exceptional meats for our cured meats? The answer lies in its nature as an indigenous breed. It means that it evolved right here, in our wonderful territory, developing unique characteristics over centuries and a genetic heritage found nowhere else.

It is a rustic, strong animal, accustomed to living outdoors, capable of finding much of its sustenance in the woods and pastures on its own, and by doing so, it also helps maintain the balance of the environment in which it lives.

Defending and preserving the Cinta Senese, therefore, means not only protecting an animal but safeguarding an important piece of our agricultural history, our rural culture, an authentic and living link with the past.

It seems almost incredible today, seeing it so appreciated and sought after, but there was a period, especially in the difficult post-war years, when our beloved Cinta truly risked not making it, of disappearing forever.

Those were times when agriculture was rapidly changing, seeking maximum yield, rapid growth, and other pig breeds, considered “more efficient” and faster growing on paper, began to be preferred. The number of true, authentic Cinta Senese pigs drastically decreased, so much so that the worst was feared for its very survival.

The tireless work of these pioneering breeders has been absolutely fundamental. Over the years, their efforts have been joined by the precious and constant commitment of the Consorzio di Tutela della Cinta Senese DOP (Consortium for the Protection of Cinta Senese DOP). This consortium has had the merit of uniting forces, establishing precise rules for breeding (such as those that ensure ample outdoor space and a serene life for the animals), and promoting the unique quality of its meat, which today is DOP certified.

It is thanks to this wonderful network of passion, dedication, and much shared work that today we can still speak with pride of the Cinta Senese and appreciate the exceptional products it provides. Without these passionate “guardians” an important chapter in the history of Tuscan agriculture and our deepest identity would have vanished.

We at Renieri, with humility but great pride, also feel an active part of this beautiful story of safeguarding. In our small way, we feel like authentic guardians of this precious heritage.

Our choice, which we have always pursued, to work exclusively with certified Cinta Senese DOP meat, sourced from our controlled supply chain and from farms that share our values, is certainly no accident. It is a decision born from the deep respect we have for this extraordinary animal and for our beloved territory.

Supporting extensive farming – the kind that allows animals space, freedom, and a natural diet (made of what they find in the woods and supplemented with the best Tuscan cereals, strictly non-GMO, as we have already told you) – means, for us, actively contributing, day after day, to the safeguarding of the Cinta Senese.

This choice is a pillar of our family legacy, a reflection of our artisan craftsmanship. We believe with all our heart that the excellent quality of our cured meats begins precisely there: with respect for the raw material and for those who, like us, raise it with care and passion. It’s not just about producing good cured meats, but about doing it the right way, with authenticity and transparency, in full harmony with our values of genuine sustainability.

Protecting Tuscan biodiversity, and the Cinta Senese is one of its most beautiful and significant examples, is a commitment that, ultimately, concerns all of us. It means preserving unique flavors, ancient traditions, wonderful landscapes, and a natural balance that is as precious as it is fragile. Every time we choose what to put on our table, especially when we opt for a product derived from indigenous Italian breeds like our Cinta, we make a choice that carries weight, a choice that can make a difference.

We hope that this story has made you appreciate even more the often-hidden value behind a name, a brand, a product. It is a value made of history, passion, respect, and a constant commitment to quality and genuineness.

The next time you have the pleasure of savoring a Cinta Senese product, think of this story, the strength of this animal, and the commitment of all the people who work every day to preserve it. It’s a beautiful way to pay homage to our land and its infinite wonders. And continue to follow us here on the blog at www.renieri.net, because we still have many stories of Tuscan passion and tradition to share with you, always with the simplicity and honesty of those who deeply love their work.