Guides
Italy guides
Straightforward buying guides and instructions: olive oil, espresso and Moka, pasta, Aperitivo, seals of origin and table culture – with clear criteria instead of superlatives.
All guides
Guide · KitchenBuying, storing and using olive oil properly
Extra virgin olive oil explained: harvest date instead of best-before date, origin information, PDO/PGI, frying or cold use, storage and how to recognize rancid oil.
📖 about 4 min read
Guide · CoffeeEspresso and Moka – how to make Italian coffee
How to use a Moka pot properly, suitable beans and grind size, espresso at a 1:2 ratio on a portafilter machine, cups, cleaning and help with bitter, sour…
📖 about 5 min read
Guide · KitchenBuying and cooking pasta – what really matters
Bronze drawing and drying, what Pasta di Gragnano PGI means, pasta shapes with matching sauces, water and salt, and al dente and portion sizes.
📖 about 4 min read
Guide · EnjoymentAperitivo and Digestivo – a factual introduction
Spritz basics, bitter styles from orange to red, Grappa from pomace, single-varietal and storage, suitable glasses and notes on alcohol and…
📖 about 4 min read
Guide · ShoppingUnderstanding origin labels: PDO, PGI, TSG and Made in Italy
What PDO, PGI and TSG mean, what Made in Italy does not tell you, and how to check the label and seller information when shopping online.
📖 about 4 min read
Guide · TableTable and crafts – selection and care
Hand-painted ceramics from Deruta and Sicily, food safety of glazes, caring for an olive wood board, washing linen and suitable wine glass shapes…
📖 about 4 min readEspresso calculator
How much coffee per cup? For Moka, espresso, filter, French press, AeroPress and cold brew.
Pasta calculator
How much pasta per person? Amount, water and salt for short, long and filled pasta.
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