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Tinned tuna is a pantry staple found in kitchens around the world, valued for its convenience, versatility, and nutritional benefits. Its invention can be traced back to the innovative efforts of the Florio family in Sicily, a name that has …

The Italian expression perché mai (pehr-kai mah-ee) is a versatile idiom used to convey surprise, disbelief, or skepticism.  Literally translated as “why ever” or “why on earth,” it often appears in rhetorical questions or exclamations, emphasizing incredulity or seeking further …

Truffle hunting is an ancient tradition rooted in Roman times, when the Romans regarded truffles as a delicacy, and attributed their mysterious growth to divine forces. While truffles have been prized for millennia, the formal tradition of truffle hunting as …

The Italian word siccome  (seek-koh-mai) started being used in the second half of the 13th century, and is the union of two other Italian adverbs, sì and come. It must have become popular immediately, as even Dante and Petrarca used it! …

The Italian word entrambi (en-tram-bee) translates to “both” in English and is used to refer to two people or things considered together.  At its heart is the cool idea of being together or sharing something, so we like to think …

The Festa del Peperoncino in Diamante, Calabria, is a lively celebration that honors the region’s beloved chili pepper (peperoncino), a cornerstone of Calabrian cuisine and culture. Known for its use in dishes such as nduja and pasta alla diavola, the spicy peperoncino has deep roots in the …

Mutti is a well-known Italian tomato processing company, with a rich history dating back to 1899. Founded by Marcellino and Callisto Mutti in the village of Piazza di Basilicanova in the Parma region, the company began its journey as a …

Balsamic vinegar originated in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, particularly the cities of Modena and Reggio Emilia, where it has been produced for centuries.  Its invention dates back to at least the Middle Ages, with the first written records mentioning …

Ragusa Ibla is a village in the southeastern part of Sicily, approximately 15 miles from the city of Modica and about 60 miles from Catania. It sits on a hilltop in the Hyblaean Mountains and is part of the city …

Un Fernet? Our grandparents may have offered it at the end of fancier dinners… But what’s the name we associate the most with this bitter, yet oddly satisfying spirit? Definitely Branca!  Fratelli Branca Distillerie, commonly known as Branca, is one …