How to recognize truly authentic Italian food and drinks

Italian’s have a reputation for being passionate about their fashion, cars, and cuisine. Many of the most famous dishes in the world have Italian origins. Impressively, the best Italian recipes are often the simplest. 

If you want to enjoy the Italian experience, you’ll need to know what authentic Italian products are and how to spot the fakes. 

What “authentic Italian” really means 

The most authentic Italian products are those which are steeped in the history of this great country. To really appreciate Italian cuisine, it’s vital to get back to basics. Any authentic product of Italy has been created by Italians and uses locally-sourced products. In most cases, the recipes are incredibly simple and the local ingredients are very fresh. Seafood can be on your plate literally minutes after leaving the water.

Of course, there are many authentic Italian food products as every region has its own option. For example, Puglia is famous for its Burrata, seafood, and green olive oils.

In contrast, authentic Italian products from Piedmont include truffles, Brasato, and Barolo. A much more luxurious affair than the recipes from Piedmont. If you want to recreate an authentic Italian you need to understand that less is more. It’s about sticking to the pure, simple ingredients and making the meal with love. That’s what Italians have been doing for centuries and what allows them to create delights, such as this Italian potato gnocchi.

Each region has created its own dishes to help the locals get through difficult times. These dishes use local ingredients and are heavily influenced by Italian history. Specifically, the number of civilizations that have occupied the same area. Civilizations such as Ancient Greek, Ancient Roman, Byzantine, and even several of the Arabic cultures. 

Common misconceptions about Italian products 

You’ll find Italian food in almost every country in the world. However, an Italian dish made in the US is unlikely to taste anything like the authentic Italian food products, as made in Italy. One reason for this is that it’s difficult to get the authentic local ingredients, although items like Italian egg tagliatelle pasta can be shipped to the US, or anywhere in the world. 

The other main reason is that different cultures have different taste expectations. For example, US citizens generally like to add cheese to everything. This means, there will be a lot more cheeses in the sauce, or on the pizza. It changes the flavor as well as the grease levels.

It’s also worth noting that authentic Italian products rarely include garlic in a recipe. Most northern recipes don’t have garlic, and southern areas use only a touch of garlic. Yet, despite the classic image, most Italian’s are not keen on garlic bread. The closest thing in Italy is bruschetta. This is usually toasted and drizzled with olive oil, fresh tomato, and even a little basil.

Italian-style vs made in Italy 

Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions regarding authentic Italian food products is the level of flavor. In the US, every flavor needs to be boosted to the max. That means, whether your making pasta or pizza, Americans need to cover everything. 

Italian style pizza generally has pasta coated in sauce. People will generally say it enhances the flavor. However. The Italians will use just a little sauce to lightly coat the pasta, not a lot of sauce to drown it.  

This can also make a difference regarding your ability to appreciate all the flavors, as opposed to tasting one the copious amounts of cheese you’ve added. You should also note the difference in consumption. Americans are often amazed that an Italian can consume an entire Italian pizza. However, authentic Italian pizzas are made with a very thin base and a sprinkling of ingredients. In other words, they are lighter and healthier than pizzas in the US.

Labels, origin, and quality standards 

Before you purchase your Italian ingredients, you’ll want to verify that the item is what it says it is; Italian. 

The first thing you should do is check the product label. It should state that it is made in Italy. More importantly, it should state the exact region of Italy where the product was made and the quality standard it needs to meet. 

You should also find a certification on the product. These will confirm that it has been created in Italy. The most common certifications are DOC, DOGC, DOP, and IGP. For a product, such as this Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, to get this certificate, it must be produce in a specific region of Italy, use local ingredients, and adhere to time-honored preparation techniques.

Don’t forget, the label requirements are set by the Italian government. Italian companies adhere to them to help promote Italy and it’s culinary expertise.

Authentic Italian beverages 

There are many authentic Italian beverages, and several which are believed to be Italian, but that aren’t. Naturally, you can’t mention Italina beverages without mentioning espresso coffee. There are also several delicious and famous wines, such as Chianti and Castelli Romani. You can also experience classic sparkling Prosecco and Italian liquors like Amaretto and Sambuca.

However, perhaps the most famous, is the Italian aperitif. This includes Limoncella, a selection of Spritz, and even Negroni. 

Again, you’ll need to verify the authenticity of any beverage. It should be made in Italy, using local ingredients. This should be clearly stated on the label, alongside any certifications. 

Don’t worry, if you don’t drink alcohol, there are plenty of non-alcoholic options. This includes San Pellegrino, Crodino, and Chinotto.

Why choosing authentic products matters

An authentic product of Italy will help you experience Italy and the Italian culinary experience properly. If the product is a fake, you’ll notice it in the flavor. 

As far as Dolceterra is concerned, our packaging shows you are products are authentic Italian. This is important as you can trust our products, which builds loyalty, allowing us to make you even better offers in the future. 

Of course, knowing the quality of our products also means you can recreate your favorite Italian dishes as many times as you like, the dish should always turn out the same.