Italy is one of the most popular destinations for summer holidays. There are countless locations from Rome, Venice, Florence, to the Amalfi coast and Lake Como.
Anyone who has spent time in Italy will know that Italians are serious about their food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are big deals. Don't forget the aperitivo. I was fortunate to be able to temporarily live in Italy while studying at a university where I work as an AU pair. I spent two summers with an Italian family who lived between the mountains of dolomite and the beaches of Trieste.
In addition to trying (and failing) to learn a language, I ate and drink for months like an Italian. And then I picked up some fakes along the way.
When you're on vacation abroad, there's nothing worse than sticking out like a blatant British thumb overseas.
And aside the obvious language barrier, there are certain things that Brits tend to do when ordering at restaurants that we may not realize that it is an embarrassing mistake.
The first one is about coffee, and more specifically, cappuccino. One of the most iconic Italian drinks, cappuccinos are usually made with espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk, and are often sprinkled with cocoa.
However, don't even consider ordering after 11am. Because you are a guilty of big cooking.
Cappuccinos are very common as morning drinks, enjoying brioche pastries and biscotti.
In fact, I generally frown to order a cappuccino after lunch or dinner. If you're looking for a hit with caffeine in the afternoon or evening, choose espresso or macchiato.
The next unspoken rules for Italian cuisine include our beloved Parmesan cheese. This delicious hard cheese is a favorite across Europe, including the UK, and is even scattered across most pasta dishes and salads.
But it's not Italy. Many tourists may not realize that you should avoid Parmesan in certain pasta dishes, and most importantly, seafood.
Parmesan is considered a powerful, salty cheese that can overwhelm the delicate flavors of seafood such as shrimp and clams. It's like pairing steak with ketchup.
Parmesan should only be paired with tomato, meat, or cream-based sauces. Additionally, restaurant servers will mostly serve Parmesan with the right dishes. Asking the waiter for Parmesan at the wrong meal is considered a big no.
Other food habits I've learned are that pineapple is not considered a pizza topping, chicken is generally not a traditional ingredient in pasta, and Caesar salad is very American/UK.
It is also useful to know that Italians often follow traditional dietary structures. This starts with an aperitivo. A pre-dinner drink often served with small nibbles to stimulate your appetite. Examples are aperol sproutz, negroni, or bellini with olives, grissini (breadsticks), or potato chips.
Then comes Antipasti, more commonly known as a starter. This includes everything from cured meat and cheese to alancini, bruschetta or focaccia. Breads are usually paired with oil rather than butter.
Next is the prim or first course, traditionally consisting of a small plate of pasta, risotto, polenta, soup, or gnocchi, depending on whether you are in Northern or Southern Italy.
Secondi (main course) followed, usually characterized by meat and fish. Finally, a dolci – dessert – is served.
But that's not all. If you are looking for a proper meal, you often order the contorno, a side dish for vegetables and salads. It is then expected to be washed away with a digestive-after-dinner drink such as limoncello or espresso to finish.
