Gastronomy in Italy

Italian cuisine is renowned for its exquisite flavours and fascinating variety. It reflects the cultural variety of its regions and there are many influences—Greek , Roman, Gaul, Germanic, Goth, Norman, Lombard, Frank, Turkish, Hebrew, Slavic, Arab and Chinese—in the simmering pot.

From the rich and creamy dishes of the north to the hot and spicy specialties of the south, Italian cuisine has tastes and flavors that appeal to a wide variety of people and many dishes are considered delicacies across the world. Italian pasta in its many forms, pesto sauce and risottos are popular. As are many kinds of cheese—parmesan, mozzarella, parmigiano. Desserts include cassata, cannoli, zabaglione, granita and marzipan. Vegetables, meat and seafood all find equal importance in Italian food. Veal is the most commonly used meat.

There’s no dearth of beverages either. Italian wines are world renowned and forms of Italian coffee like the espresso, cappuccino and macchiato define the tastes of coffee connoisseurs everywhere.