7 deadly sins at an Italian table
Food in Italy is a serious matter. Thought it was OK to order cappuccino with your lunch? Think again!
Let us be your guides and avoid Tourist Hell!
LUST
Thou shalt not drink coffee with thy meal
Coffee should be the first thing you drink in the morning and the conclusion to a meal. You’re allowed a cappuccino or latte with breakfast but, after that, only espresso and macchiato is permitted. No fancy flavourings like caramel, cinnamon or pumpkin either, maybe just a sprinkle of cocoa if you’re feeling cheeky.
GLUTTONY
Thou shalt not serve a salad with thy pasta dish
A plate of pasta is considered a thing of beauty, a stand-alone dish to be savoured. A salad should not stand in its way; it should wait patiently to be served afterwards, simply dressed with olive oil and a little salt and vinegar.
GREED
Thou shalt not stuff thyself during the first course
Especially if you are a guest at an Italian home, expect to be served a multitude of courses. Leaving food on your plate might lead your host to assume you didn’t enjoy your meal. Also, it would be a shame to fill up on antipasti and discover later on that you don’t have space for a slice of homemade tiramisù!
SLOTH
Thou shalt not leave a table undressed
Italians like to have main meals sitting down, enjoying the company in a relaxed environment. Good food is a starting point for conversations – often very loud ones! To fully appreciate the experience, you need to put in a little effort, take a little time and dress your table with love.
WRATH
Thou shalt not fight with spaghetti
The correct way to eat spaghetti is to take a small amount each time and twirl it around your fork until you make a nest. Italians never use a spoon for extra twirling assistance and, unless you are under five years old, it is assumed that you do not need to cut your spaghetti with a knife. If you take a manageable amount of spaghetti each time you twirl we guarantee you will master the art in no time!
ENVY
Thou shalt not fancy a full English breakfast
Italian breakfast is minimal. It can consist of coffee, brioche, cereal, yoghurt or the nation’s favourite, latte e biscotti (trad. milk and biscuits). For a special occasion, pasticcini (little Italian pastries filled with cream) are little clouds of perfection, ideal with a hot and frothy cappuccino. We’re big fans of a good cake breakfast!
PRIDE
Thou shalt not be afraid of asking
Most regional dishes have rather unusual names. You really don’t want to miss the chance to have a panzerotto because you are not sure what it is. Italians love to talk about food and don’t mind mispronunciations. Give it a go!
Buon appetito!
Laura and Giordano
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