Traditions

Greyish in color, rich in magnesium and potassium, but poor in sodium chloride, Trapani unrefined salt is still gathered by hand, as it was in the 14th century. It was, however, the Phoenicians of 7th century BC to have understood …

Carnevale in all of Italy is like Mardi Gras to New Orleans. What you may not know is that both of these hugely popular festivals represent a last celebration before the beginning of Lent, 40 days before Easter. It is …

Even in the time of the Ancient Greeks, Calabria’s s soil and climate had already proved ideal for growing long, thick and sweet licorice roots. Skilled expertise and then an industry grew up around licorice in Rossano, a beautiful hill …

As usual, Cicero is illuminating: “a life without music is like a body without its soul.”  There’s an undeniable truth in his words the people of his motherland, glorious Rome, always kept in mind. Indeed, the Romans loved music and …

Montalcino may be best known for its splendid Brunello but buzzing across its rolling hills are amazing honeybees silently working their magic amongst the vines. From the deep dark chestnut honey, to the gentle sunflower honey, each  exquisitely assumes the …

We hear Tuscany and, of course, we think Florence, Siena, the leaning tower of Pisa,  Lucca’s medieval walls. If idyllic settings and wine are your thing, then it’s all about the region of Chianti, and the towns of Montepulciano or …

Salted cod, known as ‘baccalà’ in Italian, is a fish that has enjoyed extreme popularity in much of the Mediterranean. You would think such a staple food was available locally, but actually cod has never been seen to swim those …

“Salute!” — the clink-clink of glasses resounds like church bells throughout Italy as the late afternoon begins to dissolve towards evening. It’s aperitivo time – that glorious hour or two (or three) when the busy-ness of the day is set …

Italy is the European country with the largest number of food and wine excellences: we boast 168 products meeting the strict regulations of DOP, that is, the set of rules guaranteeing all the processes for the production and transformation of …

Flour, water, salt and yeast, yet it’s not bread…  The word comes from the Latin “focus,” that is, baked on live fire. Soft, fluffy, glistening with olive oil, delicious! You can eat it on its own, with cheese or cold …