[lah koh-lah-tsyoh-neh]
In Italian “parla come mangi” is a popular saying used when somebody spends words that are too formal and complicated for the occasion being: literally, “speak as you eat.”
The Amalfi coast, ph. credits R. Nayaarr
In this case, we speak Italian and eat accordingly. So how do Italians eat?
Being raised in a country that in spite of all hostilities will always find the time to praise its own culture, the culinary habits and traditions are among the most celebrated topics within and outside the boot.
Magic Tables with freestanding Natural Risers by La Tavola at Nobu Hotel Miami
Besides all those unwritten but loudly spoken and widely disclosed ways of life that we promote as genuine and as the “only right way of doing it”, we follow a meal structure that does not differ much from that of other countries but is certainly worth mentioning.
Italians are 80% made of food, kicking the day off with colazione, breakfast.
Moka pot by E. Barbeau
The morning drink is typically ruled by coffee and it ranges from typical espresso (that is, simply, caffè) to caffè macchiato (espresso with a splash of milk, usually foamed), caffelatte (double espresso with the same amount of milk) or the glorious cappuccino.
An aged, experienced and slightly burnt Moka, coffee machine, would be placed at the center of the table for everyone to enjoy; some people sugar their Moka pot, that is, sugaring the coffee directly from the machine and then serve it.
The most experienced ones make crema, foam, by collecting the first, most dense drops of Moka coffee and beat them with a spoon in a cup with sugar: for this operation, timing is crucial.
Espresso coffee machine by GC Libraries
Today instant coffee machines have spread and became widely popular among families all over Italy, but everyone still holds a Moka close to its heart and close to the burners.
Hint: drinking cappuccino or caffelatte is culturally and socially acceptable only during breakfast time, please avoid asking for it to water your lunch down. It hurts.
Yogurt delicacies kept cold in the Ice Well by La Tavola at Nobu Hotel Miami
As per the foods involved in our colazione, we favor sweet delicacies such as a typical cornetto (or brioche), the airy pastry also known as croissant, dry biscotti to be dipped into our morning caffeine-infused choice of drink, or fette biscottate, that is, rusk hard bread paired with jam or honey. Other popular meal combinations see yogurt, fruit and cereals. Simple as that.
Custard cornetto by J. Ocampo
Salty bites that include bacon and eggs, sausages or vegetables are usually found at international accommodation facilities; when it comes to savory for breakfast, in Italy, we will go as far as serving small two-ingredients panini, sandwiches.
Freestanding Bread-Warming Unit and risers by La Tavola
A paragraph is due to be dedicated to the infamous mouth-watering delicacies found on the morning table of a great number of Italian families and accommodation facilities: le torte.
Baking and cooking in general runs in our veins just too naturally to avoid doing it and most of the recipes for baking our beloved morning cakes are quick to undertake and won’t require any particular skill.
Magic Cart by La Tavola
In fact, Italians know that the roughest tarts often happen to be the best: the homemade flavor is something you don’t achieve with perfection. It’s a fleeting delight that lays in the pleasure of eating something created with your own hands and it’s beyond high-end pastry.
Freestanding buffet risers by La Tavola at Nobu Hotel Miami
An all-time Italians favorite is crostata; a wide range of varieties is available for you to enjoy first thing in the morning, yet we suggest you try baking a proper crostata di marmellata (jam tart).
We advise you to use preserves that contain a visibly good amount of fruit in pieces so that you’ll know that the greatest part of sugar within comes from the fruit itself which is, therefore, a good crop. Let it cool to room temperature before serving or pair it to a spoon of gelato alla crema, custard ice-cream, to top lunch off.
Crostata alla marmellata, jam tart
Now, didn’t you get carried away to Italy already? Stay tuned for more glimpses at Italians table traditions.