Italian cuisine and Italian table manners

Food is a thing for Italians way of life and is completely woven into the culture. An Italian can become very sad when he is served bad food. Abroad, an Italian is therefore very critical of what he gets to eat. What about that Italian cuisine, which is known almost all over the world? I'll put it all back together for you.

Long dining

Italians enjoy long dining and especially enjoying well-prepared dishes together, while enjoying a glass of wine and in good company. This both at home and outside the door. Italians regularly eat out, because this is relatively cheap. For € 4 you already have a delicious pizza Margherita, for example. Eating out regularly with a large group of friends or family is very common in Italy.

Pranzo di lavoro – working lunch

Many Italians use so-called lunch vouchers (buoni di pranzo), which allows them to have a full lunch at a restaurant near their work for a fixed fee. You can often get a three-course menu for €10, including coffee after the meal. Lunch breaks in Italy often last 1 to 2 hours.

Italian eating habits and table manners (il galateo)

Italians have very specific wishes and customs when it comes to table manners. This differs considerably from the customs that we have in the Netherlands in this area. There is a clear order in the meal: appetizer, first, according to, boundary en Dolce of fruit (sweets or fruit).

• You can eat bread by hand with a hot meal and you can wipe and dab your plate with it.
• You can eat pizza by hand, as long as it is neatly cut into points (so don't just stuff half a pizza in your mouth)
• Italians don't usually eat with a knife and fork, but simply with a fork or spoon (depending on the dish). The blade is for cutting only.
• Spaghetti you roll around your fork against the edge of the plate, cutting or using a spoon is for 'pussy'. For the Dutch, that is often a challenge to get this inside in a neat way…
• A napkin with every meal (and also with the appetizers) is a must. An Italian is lost without a napkin.
• All dishes are served on separate plates. Italians abhor getting salad and meat on 1 plate, for example.
• Vague sauces such as gravy with food (especially with meat) are not appreciated by Italians. They want to taste the pure taste of the meat.
• There is hardly any breakfast in Italy in the morning (la prima colazione). Kids eat caffè latte with biscuits and adults often just an espresso or they go to the bar for a cappuccino and a sweet one cornet (Croissant). These are available with different fillings as Butter, jam or chocolate.
• In the evening a light meal is consumed (dinner). For example, some salad with cold cuts and cheese.
• Drinking a cappuccino after a meal is really swearing in church for an Italian. You do not drink any form of milk during or after meals. That is bad for the digestive system and they are horrified at the idea.
• A delicious espresso (coffee) after a meal is good for digestion. For enthusiasts, a small drink such as a sambuca, a grappino or an amaro can be added. A dash of this with the coffee is also common among the male population.

modern times

In today's modern age, Italian children often drink soft drinks with their food, but that was not common before. Only water with or without bubbles or wine was drunk with the meals. The children were sometimes given a sip of wine mixed with water, so that they could have a taste of their future.

cold food

Italians abhor cold food. It is therefore very normal to start eating as soon as you get your plate (or have it served yourself) and not to wait until everyone has a plate in front of them.

after dinner

There is often a long after-dinner with fun stories and anecdotes. Children are allowed to leave the table when they have finished eating (or they can grab their mobile or game computer these days; modern times, also in Italy).

The secret of Italian cuisine

What is the secret of Italian cuisine? If you ask me, it's the simplicity and the authentic taste of the dishes, good fats like extra virgin olive oil (little to no butter) and the natural flavors. The Italian kitchen is originally a simple farmhouse kitchen. You can also see this in the many Inns which is rich in Italy.

Above all, enjoy the most successful cuisine in the world to the fullest. What strikes you most about Italian cuisine?