This day cannot be tied to us Italians. Surely, the residents of Modena, Bologna, and Castelfranco Emilia celebrated this day with a nice dinner of tortellini in broth. Yes, the dispute over the origins of tortellini is still ongoing and will most likely never be resolved. We can’t even agree […]
History of Food
History of Italian food
The rise and fall of Fragolino, the forbidden red wine
Fragolino is an Italian red wine derived from the dark and purple-skinned Vitis labrusca vine, commonly known as the Isabella grape. The very name “Fragolino” draws inspiration from the Italian word “fragola,” meaning strawberry, offering a fitting description of the wine’s essence and flavor profile. The winemaking process involves a […]
30th anniversary of Eurochocolate Perugia: November 15 – 24
The world’s largest annual chocolate festival returns with great fanfare! For its 30th edition, Eurochocolate will once again embrace Perugia’s historic center and main squares, right in the heart of Umbria, following its traditional format. Over 13,000 Visitors in 2023 Each year, Eurochocolate draws an ever-growing audience, thanks to its […]
The Fave dei Morti: the traditional sweet of all Saints’ Day
On November 1st and 2nd, Italy celebrates All Saints’ Day and the Day of the Dead religious holidays. During this time, Italian popular traditions merge with religious customs to pay homage and remember those who have passed, through various regional customs and festivities. One of the most widespread traditions is […]
The Italian cuisine debate: Alessandro Barbero’s view
The Italian cuisine debate has reignited with historian Alessandro Barbero’s latest comments, which added a fresh perspective to a long-standing discussion. In a recent interview, Barbero argued that there is no true national Italian cuisine; instead, what we often call “Italian” abroad is primarily a product of the Italian American […]
Gnocchi: there is more to them than potatoes!
When one thinks of Italian cuisine, gnocchi often comes to mind: they are comforting and delicious, and go well with plenty of sauces. Unlike the harder, durum wheat pasta varieties, gnocchi are soft, pillowy dumplings, made using a wide range of ingredients and many regional variations exist: from the traditional […]
Step into the past: Ferrara’s “Al Brindisi” is the world’s oldest tavern
Ferrara is the city that hosts the first tavern in the world. It couldn’t be otherwise, in a country like Italy, where gastronomic and culinary culture is one of the cornerstones of Italian identity. It is not only the oldest tavern in the world, but it is much more. Its […]
Florentine Steak basics: history, cutting, and cooking
Florentine steak (Bistecca Fiorentina) is a Tuscan delicacy with a long and fascinating history. This sort of meat has gained worldwide acclaim not just for its high quality, distinct flavor, and flawless preparation, but also for its cultural significance in the Tuscan culinary tradition. Florentine meat is a general term […]
Pizzicagnoli: a journey through history and tradition
The term pizzicagnolo is never out of style. You may be wondering what this term means and why it is so important in Italian cuisine. This article will explain who the pizzicagnoli are, what they did in the past, and, most importantly, how they influenced Italian gastronomy!Since the 14th century, […]
History of the Italian Bar
Which came first, the Bar or the Caffè?Sipping a coffee at a table outside a bar is a daily habit for most Italians, including myself. In Bolsena, my house is directly above the Bar in the main square. In the morning, I like to go down the stairs and have […]