Out of all of the cultures of this world, Italian culture is one of the most food-based. While every culture has food at its heart, which should come as no surprise given how important food is, Italian culture places a massive emphasis on food. If you need to do anything good, bad, or indifferent? In Italy, you probably precede or succeed with a bite to eat. Why, though?
Simplicity in flavour
One of the main reasons why Italian food is so beloved is the fact that it is so enriched with flavour. Even simple things like the humble carbonara can be immense for this; pasta, bacon, eggs, and cheese is all that you need to make a lovely carbonara. Italian food is decadent but it is rarely something that uses too many ingredients; this keeps dishes enjoyable without being excessive or over the top in the flavour provided.
Something for everyone
Another nice benefit of Italian food is that it has a bit of something for everyone. If you are someone who enjoys pasta, you will find ample options. If you prefer bread, then anything from focaccia to a full-on pizza could be what you are looking for. Italian food tends to be great at catering to just about any audience so it is very inclusive – especially when compared to some other harder-to-understand food cultures.
The sweet tooth will be swayed
Italian food is often followed up with some vintage ice cream – or ‘gelato’ – that can make a big difference to your mood. Italian food is typically going to be built around rich and creamy dishes and then followed up with some ice cream. It is a good way to help make sure that you can enjoy the classic Italian weather. Ice cream goes hand in hand with a quality meal, and is an absolute staple of the Italian culinary culture.
There is different food in every region
Italy is a country that is split up into various regions, from Piedmont to the islands down south. This means that you can spend a lot of time trying out different foods and drinks from various areas. Head to Naples and the food you get is different from what you get in Turin, for example. This diversity means that a trip through major Italian cities and towns could give you a very different understanding of how people eat in Italy.