#danieldonici

by Daniel Donici

It’s hard to believe it’s been over a decade since we opened the doors to our very first Artesana factory in Tecuci. Time has moved quickly—but that little building, tucked away in the heart of Romania, holds the story of how it all began.

We didn’t start with much. A small team, a handful of machines, and a big dream: to make real dairy products the way they used to be made—by hand, with care, and with respect for tradition.

Here’s a look back at those early days—where the smell of warm milk and new paint filled the air, and every bottle we capped felt like a small victory.

The Dream That Became a Plan

Back in 2010, we saw something missing in the Romanian dairy market. There was plenty of milk—but most of it was ultra-processed, standardized, and stripped of flavor.

We wondered: what if we brought back real milk? What if people could taste cream rising to the top again? What if we honored simplicity—and let the product speak for itself?

That idea became the seed for Artesana. And two years later, it became a working factory.

Building with Intention

The factory wasn’t big. But every part of it was designed with one goal: preserve the integrity of milk.

We installed a low-temperature pasteurizer (when most advised us not to). We sourced glass bottles instead of plastic. We refused to homogenize the milk, knowing full well that it might confuse customers used to uniform white liquid.

And we took our time.

Those first batches were small. Filled by hand. Labeled one by one. Sometimes we stayed past midnight, waiting for jars to cool just right.

But when we tasted the result—thick, rich, tangy, alive—we knew it was worth it.

First Deliveries, First Feedback

Our first delivery route was barely 50 kilometers. A few local shops in Galați and Brăila agreed to take a chance on us.

We’ll never forget that first call:

“Hello? I think something’s wrong. The milk has... a layer on top.”

We smiled. “That’s cream,” we said. “That’s how it’s supposed to be.”

Over time, those calls turned into compliments. Then into loyal customers. Then into families who would visit our stall at fairs just to say thank you.

Growing Without Changing

Today, Artesana has grown. We’ve expanded our range. We’ve added yogurt, Sana, kefir, cheese. We’ve built a second factory.

But that original facility in Tecuci? It’s still running. Still filling glass bottles. Still doing things slowly, intentionally, the way we always meant to.

We walk through it sometimes just to remember how far we’ve come—and how little we’ve compromised.

What Hasn’t Changed

We still source from small Romanian farms.

We still pasteurize gently.

We still use glass.

We still believe that food made with care tastes better.

And perhaps most importantly: we still believe in earning trust one jar at a time.

A Thank You

To our early customers—thank you for believing in something different.

To our team—thank you for the long hours, the quiet pride, and the relentless commitment to quality.

To our future customers—there’s a little bit of 2012 in every jar. The hope, the simplicity, the courage to do things the hard way.

by Daniel Donici

There’s something special about how summer makes everything taste better—fruit is sweeter, mornings are slower, and cold dairy becomes the hero of every fridge. At Artesana, we love this season not just for the sunshine, but because it’s when some of our most-loved flavors really shine.

So let’s talk about what’s fresh, local, and especially delicious this summer—and how we’re bringing that sunshine straight into your glass jars and bottles.

☀️ A Season of Simplicity

Summer isn’t the time for heavy meals or complicated cooking. It’s the time for:

Cold spoonfuls of yogurt

Glasses of chilled Sana

Smoothies made with kefir

Slices of fresh fruit topped with cream

That’s why every year, our team creates a limited seasonal lineup focused on freshness, lightness, and real ingredients.

🥭 This Summer’s Flavors to Watch For

1. Mango Goat Milk Yogurt Naturally sweet and tangy, this one’s a customer favorite. No artificial flavoring—just real mango puree blended with our smooth, probiotic-rich goat milk yogurt.

2. Berry Kefir Raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries—fresh or lightly pureed, mixed with our cow milk kefir. Perfect for breakfast or a mid-afternoon cool-down.

3. Vanilla Sana Still light, still simple. Just a whisper of real vanilla bean stirred into our creamy Sana. Not too sweet—just enough.

4. Peach Yogurt (Cow Milk) Soft, aromatic peaches from local growers, folded into thick whole-milk yogurt. A jar of comfort on hot days.

💡 How to Enjoy Them

Need inspiration? Try these combos:

Pour mango yogurt over overnight oats

Freeze berry kefir into popsicles for the kids

Add peach yogurt to a fruit salad for extra creaminess

Blend vanilla Sana with banana and ice for a quick smoothie

Or just eat them straight from the jar. Honestly, we often do.

🎁 Our Summer Bundle Offer

To celebrate the season, we’re launching a limited-time Summer Bundle:

Choose any 6 seasonal products

Get a reusable cooler bag (perfect for the beach or picnic)

Available through select shops and online orders

Plus: Every purchase supports our jar reuse and recycling program

Because summer dairy should be easy to carry, easy to share, and kind to the planet.

🍑 Why We Only Offer These Flavors Now

We don’t flavor our dairy with syrups or extracts that taste the same year-round. We wait for the right fruit at the right time, and we only make as much as we can do with care.

That’s why these seasonal jars are limited. It’s not a scarcity tactic—it’s just how nature works.

🌻 A Personal Favorite

Every summer, I wait for the mango goat yogurt. It takes me back to the early days of Artesana, when we first started experimenting with fruit blends in small batches. The texture, the color, the way it pairs with a hot morning—it still feels new.

I know many of you feel the same way about the berry kefir or the vanilla Sana. That’s what makes this season so fun. There’s something for everyone.

Final Thought

Summer doesn’t last forever—but its flavors can linger if you know where to look. We hope you’ll enjoy this year’s seasonal jars, share them with your family, and maybe discover a new favorite.

And if you have ideas for next summer’s lineup? Tell us. Artesana has always been shaped by the people who believe in what we do.

by Daniel Donici

At Artesana, we work with both cow milk and goat milk, and many of our customers ask: “Which one is better for me?” The short answer? It depends on your body, your taste preferences, and your nutritional needs.

What we can tell you is that both types of milk offer unique benefits—and understanding the difference can help you make a more informed (and delicious) choice.

Let’s dive into the side-by-side comparison of goat milk and cow milk—their characteristics, health effects, and why we’re proud to produce both at Artesana.

🐐 Goat Milk: The Underrated Classic

Goat milk is consumed all over the world, and yet in some regions, it's still considered a “niche” product. But it shouldn’t be—it’s naturally nutrient-rich, easier to digest for many people, and deliciously creamy.

Key Benefits of Goat Milk:

Easier to digest: The fat globules in goat milk are smaller, making it easier for the body to break down. It also contains less alpha-S1 casein—a protein that can be harder to digest in cow milk.

Lower lactose content: It still contains lactose, but some people with lactose sensitivity tolerate goat milk better.

Naturally high in calcium, potassium, and vitamin A

Anti-inflammatory potential: Some studies suggest goat milk causes less gut irritation than cow milk in certain individuals.

At Artesana, our goat milk kefir and cheeses are among our most appreciated products—especially for customers with sensitive stomachs or children with mild dairy intolerance.

🐄 Cow Milk: Familiar, Nutritious, and Full of Flavor

Cow milk is the most widely consumed dairy in Romania—and for good reason. It’s versatile, creamy, and packed with essential nutrients.

Key Benefits of Cow Milk:

Rich in protein: Whole cow milk contains about 3.4g of protein per 100ml, perfect for supporting growth and muscle development.

Balanced flavor: Neutral and slightly sweet, making it ideal for everything from coffee to custards.

Source of B vitamins, including B12 and riboflavin

Better for fermented dairy: Yogurt and Sana made from cow milk have a smooth, consistent texture that many people love.

At Artesana, our unhomogenized, low-temperature pasteurized cow milk retains its natural flavor and structure—perfect for those who want dairy that’s as close to nature as possible.

A father whose daughter could finally enjoy dairy again—with Artesana’s goat yogurt.

A nutritionist recommending goat milk kefir to clients with sensitive digestion.

A customer using our full-fat cow milk to make homemade sour cream, just like her grandmother used to.

Everyone’s body is different, and our mission is to offer choices that work for real people, not just trends.

Sustainability and Sourcing

Both our goat and cow milk come from small Romanian farms, where animals are treated with respect and fed naturally. Whether it’s Jersey cows or local goats, we’re proud to know where our milk comes from—and to support rural communities along the way.

Final Thought

You don’t have to choose just one. Many Artesana families keep both types of milk in the fridge—one for their morning coffee, the other for their smoothie or dinner dish.

Whichever you prefer, what matters most is that your dairy is:

Minimally processed

Free from unnecessary additives

Handled with care from farm to jar

by Daniel Donici

If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s that our customers are incredibly creative in the kitchen.

We’ve seen everything from kefir-based smoothies to goat cheese tarts, and more than a few homemade ice creams made with Artesana milk. It’s humbling—and inspiring—to see how our dairy is being transformed into delicious, inventive, and personal dishes in homes across Romania (and even beyond).

So we thought: why not celebrate that creativity with a customer recipe contest?

Why a Recipe Contest?

Because food is about connection. It’s about memories passed down through generations and discoveries made on a Tuesday afternoon. And when you start with quality ingredients—like real milk, live-culture yogurts, and fresh cheeses—the possibilities are endless.

At Artesana, we’ve always believed that our products are just the beginning of a story. You finish it with what you create.

And we’d love to shine a light on that.

How It Works

We invited our customers to submit original recipes using any Artesana product. That could mean:

A summer salad with goat cheese

A creamy yogurt-based dip

A family rice pudding recipe using full-fat milk

A savory Sana soup

Or even a traditional dessert reinvented with kefir

We asked for clear ingredients, a photo, and a short note about what inspired the dish. And what we received blew us away.

A Taste of the Submissions

We can’t share every recipe here, but here are a few highlights:

🍓 Ana’s Kefir Fruit Parfait Layers of Artesana kefir, granola, local berries, and a drizzle of raw honey. Simple, refreshing, probiotic-rich, and beautifully photographed in one of our returned jars.

🍞 Mihai’s Cheesy Breakfast Muffins Made with our Jersey cheese and a touch of goat milk for richness. These muffins are a perfect example of using artisanal dairy to elevate everyday meals.

🥣 Irina’s Sana Summer Soup A cold soup with cucumbers, dill, garlic, and Artesana Sana—tangy, cooling, and straight from her grandmother’s kitchen.

And the creativity kept coming—desserts, snacks, mains, and everything in between.

Celebrating the Winners

We chose three winning recipes based on creativity, presentation, and use of Artesana products. Each winner received a basket of our full range of dairy and a special thank-you printed on our social channels.

But truly, everyone who participated is a winner in our eyes. You took what we made and turned it into something uniquely yours.

Why It Matters

This contest wasn’t just about recipes. It was about building community, sharing food, and showing that real ingredients can inspire real moments of joy.

It’s also a reminder that the best ideas often come not from test kitchens or product teams, but from the people who bring our products into their homes every day.

Your kitchens are the best laboratories we could ever ask for.

Looking Ahead

Given how much love this contest received, we’re already planning the next one—possibly with a seasonal theme or special category for kids.

And we’re working on a downloadable recipe booklet featuring the top entries, so everyone in the Artesana family can cook, bake, and stir together.

Final Thought

Food is about sharing. And thanks to you—our customers, partners, and fellow food lovers—we’re constantly reminded why we do what we do.

To everyone who entered, tasted, photographed, and created: thank you. You make our milk matter.

by Daniel Donici

When we chose to package Artesana products in glass jars and bottles, we knew it wasn’t the easiest route. It’s heavier to transport, more expensive to produce, and it requires more care in handling. But it was never just a packaging decision—it was a statement of values.

Glass isn’t just beautiful. It’s reusable, recyclable, and kind to the environment. And today, we’d like to take a closer look at what that really means—both for Artesana, and for the planet we all share.

Why Glass?

Let’s begin with the basics: glass is made from natural materials—sand, soda ash, and limestone. It’s inert, which means:

It doesn’t leach chemicals into food

It doesn’t absorb flavors or odors

It preserves freshness better than plastic

But beyond those practical benefits, glass offers something that no other common food packaging material can: infinite recyclability.

The Lifecycle of a Jar

Unlike plastic, which degrades each time it’s recycled, glass can be melted down and reformed endlessly without losing purity.

One glass jar, properly recycled, can become another jar… and another… and another. No loss of quality. No toxic byproducts.

And that’s not just theory—it’s something we’ve built into our everyday work at Artesana.

Our Jar Return Program

Many of our customers return their cleaned glass jars through shops and distribution partners. Each returned jar is:

Sanitized thoroughly at our facility

Inspected for cracks and wear

Refilled and labeled anew

It’s a simple system—but it has a big impact. Every jar reused means one less that has to be made from scratch.

In 2024 alone, thanks to our loyal community, we’ve reused over 200,000 jars. That’s 200,000 fewer units of waste. 200,000 fewer jars to be manufactured and shipped. The energy savings alone are significant.

How You Help

Every time you:

Return a jar

Reuse a bottle at home

Choose glass over plastic at the store You’re taking a small, meaningful step toward reducing packaging waste.

And these small steps, multiplied across thousands of households, create real momentum for a more responsible food system.

Why Not Plastic?

We get asked this often: why don’t we switch to lightweight plastic?

The answer is simple: plastic never truly goes away.

Even “recyclable” plastics degrade over time, often ending up as microplastics in the environment. The dairy industry, in particular, generates vast volumes of single-use plastic packaging—most of which is not recycled at all.

Glass, while heavier, avoids that cycle completely. It’s not the cheapest or easiest option. But it’s the most honest one.

Looking Ahead

As we expand, we’re looking at even more sustainable solutions:

Improving the efficiency of our return system

Encouraging more local partners to serve as return points

Educating consumers on how to properly clean and return jars

Investing in more energy-efficient washing and sanitizing technologies

This isn’t just about image—it’s about responsibility. Because making clean food in dirty packaging just doesn’t make sense.

Final Thought

When you hold an Artesana glass jar, you’re holding more than just dairy. You’re holding a decision—a commitment to quality, to the environment, and to future generations.

We’re proud to make products that are as good for the planet as they are for your table. And we’re even more proud to share that mission with you.

by Daniel Donici

When you build something slowly, with care, there are moments that catch you off guard—quiet wins that feel like shared victories. One of those moments came earlier this year, when Artesana received the Gustul Ales 2024 award.

It may look like just another sticker on a jar. But to us, it’s a symbol of something deeper: that real taste still matters. That quality can stand out in a crowded market. And that a small dairy from Tecuci can stand on a national stage—and be recognized.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on what this award really means, not just for our team, but for the people we serve and the principles we stand by.

What Is the Gustul Ales Award?

Literally translated as “Selected Taste,” the Gustul Ales award is based on blind tasting by a panel of experts and everyday consumers. There are no marketing gimmicks, no brand names attached—just flavor, texture, and authenticity on the plate.

It’s one of the few awards that focuses purely on what really matters: how food tastes.

So when our cow milk Sana and goat milk kefir were both awarded top marks, we felt something rare in business: pure, personal pride.

A Win for Tradition

These products weren’t invented in a boardroom. They come from recipes rooted in Romanian food heritage, made with minimal ingredients and maximum care.

The Sana? Just milk and live cultures, fermented slowly. The kefir? Fresh goat milk, gently pasteurized, fermented with natural grains.

There’s no “innovation” in the modern sense. But there’s integrity. And that, it turns out, is what people are still looking for.

A Thank-You to the Real Heroes

This award doesn’t belong only to Artesana’s brand—it belongs to:

The farmers who deliver fresh milk every morning

The production team that wakes at dawn to fill jars

The people hand-labeling every bottle

The drivers who ensure each delivery is made on time

And the customers who believed in glass-packaged dairy when it wasn’t the easy choice

Each of them has a fingerprint on this recognition.

Recognition Without Compromise

We’re often told that if we want to grow, we’ll need to make sacrifices: switch to plastic, outsource, increase shelf life, add flavor stabilizers.

But this award confirms something important: you can succeed without compromise.

You can be small, slow, and deeply rooted—and still win.

What’s Next?

As we prepare for the 2025 Go Global Awards in London, we carry this Gustul Ales win as a quiet affirmation. Not just for Artesana, but for every honest food producer trying to do things right.

We’re not chasing trophies—but we welcome them when they come. Especially when they remind us that taste is still the most powerful language of all.

Final Thought

In every jar of Sana, there’s a story. In every bottle of kefir, a decision to do things the hard way—because it’s the right way.

Thank you to everyone who tasted, voted, believed, and shared. This award is yours as much as ours.

by Daniel Donici

When we started Artesana in 2012, we weren’t thinking about stages, microphones, or spotlights. We were thinking about glass bottles, fresh milk, and how to do dairy differently in Romania—cleaner, simpler, and more honest.

But as the years passed, something unexpected happened: people wanted to hear our story. Not just customers, but communities, educators, entrepreneurs, even international organizers. And so, little by little, we began accepting invitations to tell that story.

One of the most meaningful moments came when we were invited to speak at a TEDx event in Romania.

We didn’t attend with grand ambitions. We weren’t there to impress. We were there to share something real—what it means to grow a purpose-driven food company in a modern world, where shortcuts are tempting and tradition often gets left behind.

Why We Agreed to Speak

At first, we hesitated. After all, we’re dairy people. Farmers. Craftspeople. Our days are spent in the factory, not on stage.

But then we realized: this is exactly why we needed to speak. Because stories like ours—quiet, grounded, regional—deserve a place alongside the big tech breakthroughs and innovation pitches.

We believe that food matters. Not just what’s in it, but how it’s made, who makes it, and why.

What We Talked About

Our TEDx talk wasn’t filled with slides or statistics. It was more like a walk through our journey. We shared:

The decision to use glass instead of plastic

Why we work with small Romanian farms and pay them fairly

How we make dairy products that stay close to their natural state

The unexpected emotional connection people form with food made honestly

What it feels like to resist industrial norms and still grow steadily

And above all, we talked about integrity. The idea that how you do something is just as important as what you’re doing.

The Response

After the talk, something beautiful happened. People didn’t come up to discuss logistics or market share. They came up to tell us how they remembered their grandmother’s milk. Or how they hadn’t trusted dairy in years until they found Artesana. Or how they were thinking of starting something small and were afraid they’d need to compromise to survive.

That moment—those conversations—reminded us that this work is bigger than just products on shelves.

It’s about culture, memory, and believing that honest business is still possible.

Beyond TEDx

Since then, we’ve participated in other events too:

Sustainability panels about ethical sourcing and packaging

Local food forums discussing transparency in labeling

Workshops for young entrepreneurs learning about artisanal production

Even nutrition-focused conferences, where our Sana and kefir sparked real interest

Every time, we return home with more clarity and more humility. Because there’s always more to learn. Always more stories to hear.

Taking the Stage Globally

Now, as we prepare to travel to London for the 2025 Go Global Awards, we’re taking that same spirit with us.

We’re not showing up as a corporation. We’re showing up as a team from Romania, built on community values, local milk, and the belief that quality should never be rushed.

The spotlight doesn’t change us. It just helps us reflect what was already there: purpose, patience, and pride in what we do.

Final Thought

Speaking at events like TEDx doesn’t come naturally to us. But neither did launching a dairy company in glass bottles in a plastic world.

by Daniel Donici

Behind every glass bottle of Artesana milk is a simple truth: a farmer got up early to make it possible.

We don’t take that lightly. In fact, our entire model is built around this understanding—that the quality of our dairy begins with the people who care for the animals, walk the pastures, and deliver the milk, rain or shine.

From the very beginning, we knew we didn’t want to follow the conventional route. No lowest-bid contracts. No bulk anonymous suppliers. No squeezing small farms to cut costs.

Instead, we built direct partnerships with local Romanian farmers, and we designed a sourcing system based on fairness, transparency, and mutual respect.

Here’s what that looks like.

We Pay More—By Design

Yes, we could pay less. Many processors do. But instead, we choose to:

Pay above the national average price for raw milk

Offer pricing stability even during market downturns

Maintain long-term agreements instead of seasonal deals

Avoid penalties for minor fluctuations in milk composition

Why? Because a strong farm is a reliable partner. And because quality doesn’t come from pressure—it comes from support.

When farmers know they can rely on us, they invest in better animal care, equipment, hygiene, and sustainability. It’s a win for them, a win for us, and a win for the consumer.

We Know Our Farmers by Name

We don’t work with faceless suppliers. We work with families. Small and medium-sized farms in Romania—some with ten cows, some with a hundred.

We visit regularly. We talk directly. We drink coffee in their kitchens and walk their barns.

This isn’t just good business—it’s good humanity. It creates accountability, loyalty, and an ongoing conversation about how to do better.

If something in the milk changes—a drop in protein, a shift in taste—we don’t react with fines or threats. We talk. We troubleshoot. We improve together.

We Encourage Sustainable Practices

Many of our farm partners are already embracing:

Pasture-based feeding during warmer months

No unnecessary antibiotic use

Manual milking or small-scale equipment

Waste reduction on the farm

We don’t force these practices. We support them—by providing reliable income, sharing technical know-how, and rewarding consistency.

Over time, this builds a different kind of supply chain: not just traceable, but truly aligned in values.

It’s Not Always Easy

There are times when this model strains under pressure. Milk production can drop in winter. Fuel prices spike. A cow gets sick. The road to a remote village washes out.

In those moments, some might choose to switch suppliers or import milk from abroad.

We don’t.

We double down on our farmers. We plan ahead. We absorb delays. Because they’ve done the same for us, time and again.

It’s a relationship—not a transaction.

What This Means for You

When you buy Artesana, you’re not just supporting a local brand. You’re supporting Romanian farmers directly.

You’re saying yes to a system that values:

Fair wages

Ethical sourcing

Long-term stability over short-term gain

Milk with a story behind it

And you’re tasting the difference. Because when farmers are treated with dignity, the milk reflects it.

A Quiet Revolution

We don’t talk about this enough in the dairy world. But we should.

Food systems are often designed for efficiency, not fairness. At Artesana, we’re trying to build something more human.

And as we head to the 2025 Go Global Awards in London, we’re proud to represent not just ourselves—but the dozens of Romanian farmers who make what we do possible.

They may not attend the ceremony. But their work is in every jar we bring with us.

Final Thought

Good dairy begins on the farm. It begins with trust. And it grows when everyone in the chain—farmer, producer, and customer—is treated with respect.