CULTURE

It's not just food, it's culture.

For Italians, food isn't just nourishment, it is life. Everyone shares a similar love of the food, and people are most personal when they are sharing a meal with one another.

PASTA

Pasta

So many types and so many pairings, a pasta bowl can make your lunch amazing. To cook it at home, drop it in boiling salted water (it should taste like the sea) and cook one minute less than what the package says. Drain and add to the sauce, cook for a further minute adding some pasta water and serve with a drizzle of olive oil. Trust me, it will make you smile. Lastly, NEVER cut the spaghetti, the Mafia will come get you.

PIZZA

Pizza

Make your own. Buy it from an Italian restaurant. Either way, pizza is one of the best dinners. Thick crusted in the South or thin in the North, fresh ingredients and NO PINEAPPLE. Make sure you fold the slices and use your hands, it doesn't taste the same with knife and fork. A drizzle of olive oil (again) will help you say "Mamma mia!". Wood ovens only, of course.

GELATO

Gelato

Whenever you feel like snacking, try some authentic gelato, walking down the Italian streets and enjoy the sunshine. Refreshing in the summer but still tasty in the winter. Find your local gelateria and look for the word "artigianale": it means they make it in-house, with traditional recipes! It should always look authentic to the colour of the original ingredient. No olive oil on this one! "Grom" is one of the largest chains in Italy and it has the best products (pricey but who cares, you only live once).

Food

Learn how and what Italians eat.