Pesto is a herby sauce that first originated in Northern Italy, and traditionally consists of crushed garlic, basil, European pine nuts blended with olive oil and Fiore Sardo cheese which is made from sheep’s milk.
In ancient Rome, a pesto-like paste known as ‘moretum’ was eaten. Moretum was made by combining crushed cheese, garlic and herbs together. The main ingredient of modern pesto, basil, likely originated from India, and was first domesticated there.
Depending on where it is made, the ingredients of pesto can vary. Some pestos are modern, others made traditionally. For example, a slightly different version of pesto sauce is made in Provence, where it is known as ‘pistou’.