Archive for 'Products & Specialities'

Prosciutto di Parma, or Parma Ham, is, perhaps, Italy's most famous typical food product worldwide. Certainly, it ranks highly amongst the best-known products – alongside the likes of Balsamic Vinegar and Parmesan. It is probably also one of the foods mostly intimately connected with its town of origin, as many are unfamiliar with one without the other; people know Parma Ham but not necessarily Parma and know of Prosciutto di Parma specifically among all cured meats from the country.

Cannoli are one of the most famous and beloved of all Italian desserts, particularly among Italian-Americans, and are pastries that come from the Sicily region. The origins can be traced back to the Arabs during the Emirate of Sicily and similar pastries are known to have been popular across the Islamic world during that period. They have been traced back to the Palermo and Messina areas and were traditionally prepared as a treat during Carnevale season. The dessert eventually became a year-round staple throughout Italy. In singular form they are known as cannolo, a word that means "little tube" and they are just that, little tube-shaped fried pastries with creamy, sweet fillings, usually comprised of ricotta.

Continuing on from our last post, here are some more of the best foodie experiences that you will find in Italy. If you are a food-lover planning a trip to Italy, take note of these activities and attractions and add them to your itinerary.

One of the most expensive foods in the world are truffles and, arguably, the best in the globe are those that are found in Tuscany. There are several fairs and festivals that are expressly dedicated to the truffle in Tuscany each Autumn. San Miniato, for example is known as the Truffle Capital and 25% of all of Italy's white truffles are produced in the territory. It is home to the biggest and best recognised festival for truffles globally, the Festival of the White Truffle of San Miniato. First held on the 26th of October 1969 in Piazza del Duomo, it has been held on the second, third and fourth weekends in November every year since, bar a two year hiatus immediately afterwards.

Italy is an absolute paradise for food lovers and, as a result, we decided that it might be a good idea to compile a list of foodie experiences that are a must for those holidaying in the land of crowd pleasing meals.

If you feel like eating the best ice-cream in the world, for example, you should find a luxury villa in San Gimignano, as, located in the central Piazza della Cisterna, is the Gelateria Dondoli or Gelateria di Piazza. This little shop is known all over the world and has been visited by a large number of celebrities over the years. It has won countless awards, invents flavour combinations that attract gourmet-lovers to the town on a regular basis and has made it World Champion on two occasions. Arguably, this is one of the best places in the entire world to try some ice-cream. Owned by Sergio Dondoli, one of just ten Master Ice-cream Makers in Italy today, the gelateria places importance on passion and creativity and they are constantly innovating new flavours and recipes.

One of the things that most commonly attracts tourists to Italy and that people most look forward to when planning their vacations is the food. Pizza, pasta, wine and coffee are probably top of your list of things to try but one shouldn't overlook Italian desserts. There are some iconic treats, in particular, that are a must and taste quite unlike their incarnations abroad.

Tiramisu is a good example of this. It is one of the most famous and beloved of all Italian desserts and the versions that you find in their homeland are far superior to those found elsewhere.

As a result of the popularity and fame of the dessert, many want to stake their claim to it across Italy. Its origins, therefore, have become uncertain. Most accounts, however, attribute the dish to a restaurant called Le Beccherie in Treviso.