From a survey carried out by the Customer Care of the National Tourism Observatory on a sample of tourists who spent a holiday in Italy: 'The first thing that comes to mind when tourists talk about Italy'.
In the first place we find the immense artistic and cultural heritage and then the food and wine products, but in particular we see what are the specialties that we discovered really envy us.
The coffee
For coffee lovers, what could be better than enjoying a coffee in Italy?
Remember, Italian coffee is not like Starbucks coffee. Although some choices may seem similar. They are rarely what you have been led to believe. For example, if you order a "milk", in Italy you will simply be served a glass of milk.
We need a complete guide on how, when and where to drink coffee in Italy.
From a normal "coffee" to a cappuccino, from a macchiato to a latte coffee, coffee is omnipresent in Italy, but there is a noticeable regional difference.
In Trieste, for example, you can order a Trieste coffee to get an espresso with whipped cream, while in Naples the coffee is served strong, creamy and fast.
Espresso coffee after a meal is a very Italian way to fix the stomach, a correct coffee, that is a coffee with a small glass of liquor, it is even more so.
Of all the crazy cities for coffee in Italy, Trieste has the best coffee culture, thanks also to its long history of tax-free port.
The ice cream
For a tourist, no trip to Italy is complete without ice cream!
The artisan ice cream is generally prepared with fresh ingredients, which however determine a reduction in the duration of the product. This does not mean that any artisan gelato is of quality: always pay attention to the ingredients!
A craftsman can easily choose to use powdered ingredients instead of fresh ingredients, or add additives, vegetable fats, etc.
Furthermore, what distinguishes the artisan ice cream from the industrial one is the incorporation of air.
During the production process, the ice cream is mixed and brought to freezing incorporating a certain amount of air which determines the increase in size; in the craft sector it goes from 30 to 50%, in the industrial one it can reach up to 130%.
Air is in effect a quality factor of ice cream.
So how do you know if you are buying quality ice cream?
Before buying a homemade ice cream, check the color (is it natural or bright like a neon?).
Is the fruit in season?
Is there a list of ingredients?
The tiramisu
Apparently simple it is probably the most loved after dinner dessert.
This perfect semifreddo comes in alternating layers of eggnog, soft mascarpone and biscuits soaked in coffee. Despite its elementary content (coffee, cream cheese, biscuits) tiramisu is the most current dish on this list. It may be simple to do but not all tiramisu is prepared in the same way.
A good tiramisu is made only with very high quality coffee and mascarpone. Eggnog and egg white can be added to mascarpone to give a lighter texture and different varieties of biscuits can be substituted for traditional biscuits.
Unless your Italian is particularly fluid and advanced, you will surely have to work hard to get information on the ingredients of tiramisu in a restaurant, so often the only option is to simply order one and see if it is to your liking!
The digestive
A digestive drink dates back to the Middle Ages, when many people throughout Europe believed in the medicinal properties of alcohol mixed with sugar and herbs.
Although doctors are still skeptical of the benefits of drinking alcohol after a meal, the fact remains that one cannot say that one has tasted a real Italian meal unless it ends with a final whiplash.
The most popular digestives include limoncello, grappa, bitter, cynar, amaretto and, if you feel brave, the sambuca that is so alcoholic that it can turn a horse upside down.
If you come out of the usual known paths, you could also discover all kinds of delicious post-dinner prepared with local fruits and herbs that never disappoint. In this case do not be shy, always worth a sip!
MammaBoom Recommend
The best 'Cacio e Pepe' in the heart of Rome
There is no doubt, in a breathtaking location on the Roman roofs, with St. Peter's Basilica smiling at us from the Vatican, the best here!
Tiramisu by the glass
Tiramisu is the Italian dessert par excellence, known and appreciated all over the world. Simple and quick to prepare, it lends itself to various reinterpretations. Creamy and greedy, it immediately conquers everyone at the first spoon. Tiramisu in a glass is practical, delicious and perfect for any occasion!
To each his own cupcake, what is your cupcake?
A cupcake for each zodiac sign. And what cupcake are you?
Baba's Orange
The babà is a typical sweet of Neapolitan pastry. The recipe that we propose is to prepare the classic babà but with the particularity in the syrup: not only rum but also orange juice to make it even more aromatic and with a base of luscious chocolate.
Share this page
As said, this collection of restaurants is neither a ranking, nor even more exhaustive than the incredible amount of heavenly places to enjoy fish, so I await your opinions, feedback and suggestions, if there are any.
If you enjoyed this article, don't forget to share it with your friends!
