Category: Articles
Aperitivo O’clock
As Florentines tend to eat slightly later than their Anglo-Saxon counterparts, locals like to start their evenings with an “aperitivo”, an aperitif, which is really just an excuse to get together, have a drink or two and meet new people, all in the name of good digestion. The idea of an aperitif is to work […]
Local Wine Guide
There are many wonderful wines produced in Tuscany and sipping your way through the region is a great way to get to know the landscape and the people. Most people know that Chianti wine has something to do with Tuscany, right? But what, exactly? Is there a place called Chianti? Is Tuscany in Chianti? Tuscany […]
Tuscan Food: Salumi
Salumi is the collective name given to anything preserved and cured in salt, and particularly refers to cured meats (usually pork but sometimes seen made with game such as wild boar, definitely worth a try), such as prosciutto and salame. In Tuscany they play a large part in the every day diet, appearing at lunch, […]
Tuscan Food: Dessert
Cantuccini and Vin Santo While tiramisù may be the most well known of Italian desserts (a Florentine version is known as zuccotto), the most widely offered dessert in Florence is cantuccini with vin santo. Almond biscuits (cookies), which are quite hard and dry if eaten alone, are dipped into a glass of sweet wine to […]
Markets in Florence
Markets are abundant in Florence, and together with the daily markets there are even weekly and monthly markets to add to the mix. You will find the markets are generally selling either leather and other souvenirs, food or household goods. The monthly markets tend to be a bit more special with handmade goods or antiques. […]
Tuscan Food: Staple Foods
Where would Tuscans be without bread, olive oil and beans, the foods that nourished centuries worth of geniuses? Bread Tuscan bread has one main defining characteristic: it is bland. Made without salt for centuries, this tradition goes back to the Middle Ages and essentially has its roots in poverty, when the cost and tax on […]
Tuscan Food: Pasta
The word “pasta” in Italian can refer to different kinds of food made with a paste of flour and water, so it includes not only what we know as pasta but also pastry. Una pasta at breakfast time in a bar is the general term for one of the fresh baked sweet pastries usually eaten […]
Guide to Italian Sparkling Wines
A quick guide to the country’s best sparkling wines – perfect for a summer evening or an excuse for celebrating. The best of the bubblies come from the north of Italy, but they are popular all over the country. Italians will drink sparkling wines for any occasion, and especially as an aperitif, served chilled or […]
Tuscan Food: Meat
Bistecca alla Fiorentina The jewel in the crown of the carnivorous Florentine menu is without doubt the Florentine beefsteak. This T-bone steak traditionally comes from the prized, white Tuscan Chianina cattle which has a particular tenderness and depth of flavour. Some restaurants also use Limousine or Maremmana breeds of cattle in place of the Chianina. […]