When asked "what to bring from the Apennines," experienced travelers, in addition to traditional Italian souvenirs "as a keepsake," recommend not to ignore the products. After all, as you know, Italian cuisine is not only considered one of the most delicious in Europe, but is also incredibly healthy. In native penates, dishes made from real Italian products will delight the household, surprise guests and give pleasant memories of the days spent in the Mediterranean.
1. Italian pasta
Such a variety and color of pasta, as in Italy, can not be found anywhere else in the world: green, red, yellow, with cuttlefish ink, with spinach, tomatoes, basil, short, long, dry, "raw", pasta ripiena (with the filling: ravioli, tortellini, etc.). Pasta, which has more than 300 tons, is one of the most popular and traditional products from Italythat you should definitely bring.
Such a variety of pasta as in Italy is no longer found anywhere in the world
However, you should not rush on bright multi-colored pastes, because color is far from synonymous with high quality. Italians themselves, for example, prefer pasta to natural tones, and Barilla pasta is considered one of the best pasta brands.
2. Olive oil
Talking aboutproducts from Italy, you can not ignore olive oil. The best is considered to be cold-pressed oil (Olio extra vergine di oliva), since it is not subjected to heat treatment.
In Italy, oil can be bought directly at the farm or oil mill: in quality it is in no way inferior to the store one. The advantage of such a purchase is that on the farm you can try different types of oils, and from the total quantity you can choose the most attractive to your taste.
3. Balsamic vinegar from Modena
Balsamic vinegar is extremely popular among tourists who know a lot about local cuisine. As the Italians themselves say, a better seasoning than balsamic vinegar from Modena can only be hunger.
A recipe for balsamic vinegar for nearly a thousand years
The popularity of vinegar from Modena is due to the fact that only here a special grape ripenes - "trebyano", from which the traditional "balsamic" is made. The recipe of the famous seasoning is almost a thousand years old, and only 300 families are the successors of the noble Modena family, passing the secret of the production of vinegar from generation to generation. By the way, among them is the family of no less famous Italian tenor - Luciano Pavarotti.
When choosing balsamic vinegar, be sure to pay attention to the label. The Modena Consortium issues a license to sell to far from all manufacturers. Look for a label that says Aceto Balsamico di Modena. Then you definitely will not be mistaken.
4. Italian cheeses
Talking about products from Italy, which it makes sense to pay special attention to, it is impossible not to mention cheeses. And although there are more than 400 types of such in the country, more often than others, the famous hard cheese Parmesan (Italian. Parmigiano reggiano), softer in taste Grana Padano, Mozzarella, Mascarpone and, of course, the gourmet's dream - blue cheese - Gorgonzola.
In Italy, there are more than 400 tons of cheese
Parmesan hails from Parma and Reggio Emilia - in whose honor he received his name - Parmigiano Reggiano. The idea of making the famous cheese belongs to the Benedictine monks who gave birth to their know-how almost a thousand years ago.
Parmesan rightfully bears the title of King of Cheeses, and to date, only natural products and no preservatives are used to make it. Parmesan ripens from one year to two years, until its taste acquires a unique, delicate, sweetish-salty taste. It is not the first year that Parmigiano Reggiano receives a gold medal in various international competitions, becoming the winner in the competition among the best cheeses.
5. Parma ham
Another popular product that many have heard is Parma ham or Prosciutto dried pork ham (Italian: prosciutto di Parma). The highest quality is considered Prosciutto, produced in Parma and its environs. The recipe for making Prosciutto is not simple: the ham is first thoroughly processed and then dried using special technology for 12 months.
In the process of preparation, Prosciutto is thoroughly processed
Thinly sliced Prosciutto is added to pizza, served with asparagus and young peas, they are stuffed with veal, and also successfully combined with fruit. Especially Prosciutto is good with figs and melon.
6. Italian wines
What a souvenir product from Italy will do without real Italian wine, which, among other things, is also considered one of the country's visiting cards. Blogoitaliano once wrote about alcohol and souvenir ideas for travelers here, but now we will especially highlight the wine.
Each of the regions of Italy has its own list of the most popular wines: in Piedmont, for example, is the famous Asti Slumante and sparkling Prosecco, in Tuscany - Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, etc. In general, the list is very wide and you cannot do without a recommendation on the spot.
And in order to better navigate the labels, here are some popular notations that will certainly help when choosing wines: Secco - dry, Abboccato - semi-dry, Amablie - semi-sweet, Vinsanto - strong dessert, Dolce - sweet.
7. Sweets
Products from Italy that can be brought for souvenirs are also the most famous local sweets.
In Turin, you can safely buy any chocolate
Who has not tried the Amarettini or Torrone macaroons (with almonds, candied fruit, chocolate or other filling)? Be sure to get it: it even sounds delicious, but live does not come off at all.
In Turin - the chocolate capital of Italy - you can safely buy any chocolate, you will not go wrong, because it is considered one of the most delicious in Europe. And if the trip coincided with Christmas or New Year holidays, Panettone or Pandoro Christmas muffins and Easter cakes will be a good gift for relatives and friends. And a few packs of real Italian coffee.
Have a good trip!
