We recently spoke with Dario and Matteo Beluffi, two entrepreneurial young brothers who are revolutionizing the vegan scene in Italy and beyond.
Hi guys, why don’t we start with some introductions. Tell us a little bit about yourselves...
Matteo: My name is Matteo Beluffi and I am the Latte Art Champion 2017, and sixth in the world. Currently I am involved in training, research and development of plant-based products, especially within the coffee world.
Dario: I am Dario, I deal with vegan confectionery, I write books and deal with the research and development for our company regarding vegetable-based products related to the world of pastry.
You have been vegan for quite some time now. What gave rise to this choice?
M: It was a life choice, and consequently a work choice for personal need. However, everything started with Dario.
D: Three and a half years ago I weighed 105 kilos. I started to learn a little about nutrition and after studying I first began with a slightly more balanced diet before eliminated white meat, red meat, etc. Over time, realizing that I no longer needed it, so I made the vegan choice. From there came the contrast with my work because I was a traditional pastry chef!
As everyone knows, cream and egg are the masters of la pasticceria, while I was slowly heading towards the vegan world, realizing that even my work could become a profession in this field. I started doing research and then writing the first book in 2017, the second in 2018 and in later in November there will be the third.
What will you do at the Milan Coffee Festival?
M: We will be at the Modbar stand and we will do a little show, we will talk about the vegetable in the cafeteria and not, and finally we will be in the spotlight of the Latte Art Live show!
MATTEO, WHAT DOES LATTE ART REPRESENT FOR YOU?
M: For me, Latte Art was a discovery. Coming from artistic studies, when I saw it for the first time, I immediately understood what my path was. For me it means everything, it is mainly a way of expressing myself and representing my world parallel to what everyday life is. It is a way to release stress above all, so it helps me to get away from everything and everyone, and it is basically an art form. Even alone I always learn something new in making it, and it is the main means to reach the final customer, which for me is very important, both from a work and personal point of view.
What can we expect for you both in the future?
M: So many things! Obviously they are top secret, but we are working on two products that do not exist in the world. Innovation!
Matteo Beluffi will be revealing this innovation all weekend at The Milan Coffee festival with help of the ModBar, as he showcases his technical flair on the Latte Art Live Stage.