Italy to live and not just to see

An example? The breakfast. Coffee can’t be missing, but if you have breakfast at home you will use the Moka and your favorite blend could be very different if you live in the north or if you live in the center or south of Italy.

If, however, you go to the bar your coffee will be an espresso and you will certainly avoid frequenting the bar where they make a bad one.

What does bad coffee mean? It’s not easy to explain, but if you get used to good coffee, you instantly recognize a bad one. That’s why an Italian has a hard time getting used to the coffee he can drink when he travels abroad. Even the italian espresso it’s just another thing! C’mon!

Did you know that in Italy there are about 800 roasters?

21 are in Campania (including Kimbo and Motta), 7 in Emilia Romagna (including Kavè and Molinari), 6 in Piedmont (Lavazza, Vergnano, Splendid, Bialetti), 6 in Veneto (including Segafredo Zanetti and Pellini), 6 in Lombardy (including Caffitaly, Agostani, Hardy) and then Marche, Sicily, Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Calabria, Lazio, Tuscany… every region has its own.

You could cross all over Italy and discover hundreds of different blends, without ever getting bored.

Another Italian habit  that you will not struggle to make your own is that of going to get an aperitif, with friends or work colleagues, from 18.00 to 21.00 and stuffing yourself with delicious food-fingers (pizzas, scones, meats, cheeses, omelettes etc.) that can also make you postpone dinner if you find the right bar/restaurant.

Each city offers the best of local products to attract customers and retain them, a bit of background music to go along with the conversation and cocktails and wine to cheer the hearts.

What is the most famous Italian cocktail? There are at least three of them famous worldwide: Americano (red vermouth, soda and bitter), Bellini (sparkling white wine, smoothie pulp and white peach juice) and Negroni (red vermouth, gin and bitter).

But if you are Italian you will definitely order a spritz, in a light version (Aperol, prosecco and soda) or in a strong version (Campari, prosecco and soda)… do not forget the ice and half a slice of orange, otherwise it would be a very sad spritz!

Italians eat well and for this reason they soon learn to juggle the stove.

Every house can boast a nice large fridge that is filled with fresh food or to be consumed in the short term because making a plate of spaghetti is a natural gesture for an Italian.

Simply done: oil EVO, two cherry tomatoes, half a chilli and a splash of Parmesan and it becomes a gourmet dish. Of course, only if it’s done following the right process and if you are using the real products made in Italy.

What is the best thing you can do when you have a nice plate of steaming spaghetti in front of you? Add a seat at the table and share food with friends. This is how we live, this is the real Italian style.