Italy’s strangest foods

Italy’s strangest foods

When most people think about Italian food, what springs to mind are bountiful plates of pasta, velvety prosciuttos, delicious cheeses (pecorino and parmigiano to name but two), and gloriously golden olive oils. There are, however, many, many Italian delicacies that...
How to buy olive oil like an Italian

How to buy olive oil like an Italian

Olive oil is one of Italy’s most well-known food exports. Whether used in cooking, drizzled over salad, or taken as a dip, Italian olive oil is recognised around the world for its quality. When it comes to knowing exactly which type to buy though (whether Extra...
What makes pasta ‘Italian’?

What makes pasta ‘Italian’?

What makes pasta ‘Italian’? Last week, Lidl received a €1 million fine for allegedly misleading consumers on the origins of two of its dried pasta brands, Italiamo and Combino. According to Italian prosecutors, the German retailer was at fault for emphasising the...
Italian Christmas Foods – What To Look Out For

Italian Christmas Foods – What To Look Out For

Every country around the world has its own Christmas food traditions. From mince pies in the UK and stollen in Germany, to fried chicken in Japan and tamales in Costa Rica, each nation marks the festive season with different edible delights. Italy, of course, is no...
Italy’s five most popular pasta shapes and how to eat them

Italy’s five most popular pasta shapes and how to eat them

Although the origins of pasta are often debated, Italy is undoubtedly the homeland of this carby treat.  According to Aidepi (The Italian Association of sweets and pasta), the country produces over 3 million tonnes of the food-stuff annually.  Whilst just under 2...
Perfect Prosciutto:   How to tell your prosciuttos apart

Perfect Prosciutto: How to tell your prosciuttos apart

Whether it’s wrapped around a minted fig or wedged among mozzarella and tomatoes between crusty bread, prosciutto has a privileged place in Italian gastronomic culture.  Reflecting the diversity of the country, there are many different types of prosciutto, all with...