Italy is renowned for its art, culture and, of course, food. Pastas, pizzas, wines, ice creams – it’s hard to choose when everything is on the tip of your tongue. But what should you consider when embarking on an Italian food journey?
- Lunch is the main meal – in the Nordic countries we are used to hearing that the most important meal of the day is in the morning. The same is not true for Italians. They do the opposite, focusing on lunch and keeping breakfasts light.
- Don’t eat while walking – Eating and walking don’t mix for Italians – it’s considered disrespectful behaviour. When time has been spent cooking, it is believed that the least a eater can do is sit down and enjoy the meal. It is rare to see Italians using their phones as a companion at the table.
- Traditional Italian pizza has a thin crust – There are several versions of pizza. Each country adds a little something of its own to pizza, but the most classic Italian pizza has a thin, slightly crispy crust. If you can’t get away from the sun for a while, Da Vinci restaurants, for example, offer a taste of Italy.
- Garlic is not used as often as you might think – When looking for garlic bread in Italy, you can be at a real loss, as simple bread with no additives is usually served. Garlic is rarely used.
- A classic dessert is tiramisu – Tiramisu originates from the Veneto region of Italy and the word itself could be translated as “lift my spirits”. It is served as the last course of the meal and, as the name suggests, is intended to act as a real mood lifter.
