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Italian cuisine is likely the most beloved one in the world. You can understand why, considering pizza, pasta, and so many other dishes are a part of it.
Italians take work in the kitchen quite seriously, and certain rules can’t be broken. Also, there are common misconceptions many people believe to be true, but unfortunately, they aren’t.
Luckily, we’re here to give you facts about Italian food.
If you’re interested to know a few of the most fun Italy food facts, keep reading our blog. We’ll share the secret of spaghetti and meatballs, discover one thing you didn’t know about Italians and bread, and more.
To find Italian food and drink in Miami, visit Mi’talia Kitchen & Bar.
Nowadays, garlic is one of the most popular ingredients in dishes worldwide. Everyone is putting it in their eggs, sauces, and every other spice mix they can find.
Even though other restaurants benefit from having garlic bread on the menu, those with Italian cuisine don’t seem to have a spot for it.
Bread is served plain and never drenched in warm garlic butter. And Italians don’t season as much as we may be used to in the US. They mostly rely on fresh and high-quality ingredients that will flavor their meals. Italian food and drink are known for their excellence.
Maybe that title didn’t explain the statistic clearly. An average Italian eats 23 kilograms of pasta per year. Yes, that’s quite a lot.
In fact, pasta is the number one dish people around the world associate with Italy. Of course, it’s tied with pizza.
And, knowing the statistic from above, you can understand why. If you’re assuming some other countries eat as much or more pasta, you’re wrong.
America and France are second with only 8 kilos per year.
The difference is astounding. Italy food facts tend to do that.
Keep reading to find more interesting facts about food.
This may come as a shock, but yes, the statement above is true. Spaghetti and meatballs is not Italian dish. We said these were going to be interesting facts about food. We meant it.
Pretty much every person reading this probably thought that this famous dish came from Italy. That’s where all the well-known kinds of pasta are from, so it makes sense.
However, Italians don’t really make pasta dishes topped with meat. Usually, they keep it for the “al forno” dishes. So, spaghetti and meatball – not an authentic Italian dish.
While we’re on the subject of interesting Italy food facts – Italians don’t really use chicken with pasta. That type of meat isn’t popular in the area, and you won’t find it among pasta dishes.
You’re probably familiar with a couple of fancy coffee types that people order around the US, right? Cappuccino, Frappuccino, Macchiato, and so on.
Unfortunately, Italians don’t really use them.
In fact, espresso is pretty much all the coffee they drink. A small shot to stay focused is all it takes.
In the morning, someone may offer coffee with milk, but that’s the only time that will happen. Who thought that this was the case? Italian food and drink may not be that factually represented around the States.
So, you’ve sat down at a restaurant, and once the server has taken your order, a basket of bread is delivered to the table. Your American instincts may tell you to eat the bread as an app, but you shouldn’t listen to them if you wish to eat the Italian way.
That isn’t what that bread is used for in Italy. On the contrary, Italians eat it at the end of the meal. This bread is dipped in the remaining sauce on your plate and eaten last. “Fare la scarpetta” is the term used for this.
Next time you’re dining in an Italian restaurant, try eating the bread this way and enjoy every last bite of your meal.
The name says it all in this case. Antipasto literally translates to “before the meal,” and antipasti is just the word’s plural form.
Now, what do antipasti include? Antipasti are the famous plates of cold food. Usually, they are filled with deli meats, vegetables, olives, multiple types of cheeses, mushrooms, and other Italian delicacies.
Most of the restaurants in Italy serve this as a starter.
Americans have been using charcuterie boards as a similar type of arrangement. And, in the last few years, the trend has gotten more popular.
Most restaurants in the United States have some sort of pizza or at least a flatbread on the menu. Though this may surprise you, that isn’t the case in Italy.
Most restaurants, in fact, don’t have pizza on the menu. You’ll have to go to a pizzeria or a pizza restaurant to get that dish.
Not everyone is a pizza pro in Italy. Facts about Italian food keep proving that these folks don’t mess around in the kitchen. So, they let the pros make the pizzas and have special restaurants that serve them.
The salad comes first. Then, we go over to the main dish, right? At least, that’s what we’re used to in the States.
Well, in Italy, things go a bit differently. Salad isn’t a starter there. Instead, it comes after the main dish.
Usually, it comes covered in olive oil and vinegar and is used to help digest the heavy meal before it. It does make sense when you think about it.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. We’ve heard it our entire lives. Our part of the world really puts emphasis on the importance of the first meal of the day.
In Italy, however, that isn’t the case. They are used to having “caffè e cornetto” for breakfast. That translates to coffee (espresso) and a croissant. In our world, that wouldn’t be considered much of a feast.
Italians save themselves for the rest of the day when, as we know, they eat enormous amounts of pasta and pizza. Maybe skipping breakfast is worth it.
Not all interesting facts about food need to be long. This one you just need to remember at the right moment. It’s short but quite important.
Italians say “Buon Appetito” before eating, which means “enjoy your meal.” Remember to say it when eating in Italy. And, if someone says it back to you, reply with “Grazie.”
If you ever find yourself in Miami looking for authentic Italian food, remember there is a place to find it. Mi’talia is the best Italian restaurant in the city, and once you try something from our menu, you’ll understand why.
Next time you’re in the city, visit our restaurant and enjoy Italian food in the heart of Florida.
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