Countries with the Best Food - Top Ten List. Food in Chinese Culture. Brazilian Food - Traditional Brazilian Food and Recipes. Brazilian Food - Traditional Brazilian Food and Recipes. Menuism: Italian Food Culture 101: A Primer. By Marla Gulley, Italian Cuisine Expert for the Menuism Italian Food Blog When you think about Italian food, the first foods that spring to mind might be pizza, pasta, Parmesan, or gelato, coffee and maybe even bread and olive oil. You certainly wouldn't be wrong. However, the long list of Italian food stretches far beyond these particular boundaries to include risotto, polenta, fish and meats, along with copious varieties of salami, cured meats and cheeses, with vegetables certainly not forgotten. When you step off the plane with phrase book clutched tightly in hand, Italian cuisine and culture may reveal a few startling surprises.
What we Americans know and love in the US as classic Italian food is not necessarily what you find being served in Italy. Take Caesar salad. Keep in mind that Italy has, just this past year, celebrated 150 years of united togetherness. There are some differences that might surprise you. Coffee, For Italians 8 of 9 Photo by Flickr user jayneandd.