Merak Spirits & Drinks

The history of a tradition At the company’s Putignano headquarters is a perfectly-preserved stone mortar dated 1885, a historical relic from the firm’s earliest years. It is an ancient tradition, beginning in the late 19th century, when Francesco and Maria Concetta Giannandrea started up a café in the town, serving their customers almond milk made from nuts that had been crushed in that very mortar. The decisive leap forward was made under their son Giacomo, father of the current owners, who opened up another café at the end of the Second World War. By the 1950s, he had begun small-scale production of almond milk, which he significantly named “Beltion”, from a Greek term meaning “the best”. The quality and genuineness of this product were soon recognised by consumers throughout Southern Italy. In 1995, Roberto, Angelo and Francesco Giannandrea set up “Merak Srl”, followed in 1997 by the opening of a new production plant on Putignano’s industrial estate, with the latest technological equipment, and a laboratory for development and production control. By reviving the historic Beltion brand, Merak are continuing in the family tradition, broadening the product range, improving productivity and bringing their products to every corner of the globe.

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