A radiant, temperamental, sun-kissed country, which has given the world so many talents, falls in love with itself from the first time and forever. Homeland of brilliant painters, famous opera singers and film actors, Italy played a huge role in the development of European art. Here is the "heart" of the Catholic faith, the Vatican, a unique city on the water Venice, the famous La Scala. The country is also famous for its seaside resorts, beaches, hospitality and developed light industry. The extraordinary generosity of nature, multiplied by the talent and hard work of Italians, give the world a lot of unique products and various goods. Clothes, shoes, spaghetti, wines, cheeses, olive oil are highly valued in the world market. Arrays of olive groves, endless vine plantations, tangerine, orange orchards adorn the fertile land washed by 4 seas. None of the tourists have any problems with the choice of what to bring from Italy as a gift - he is very rich.
Pasta
Italians are nicknamed "pasta" because of their favorite national dish. It was Italy that became the world arena for the manufacture of dried dough products. Today pasta of various varieties, configurations, colors are available anywhere in the world. Dishes made from them are prepared in almost every family. But pasta, united by the word "pasta" (dough), has its own zest. It would be unforgivable, being here, not to buy several types of pasta as a nice gift.
Long, short, curly, large, small, stuffed pasta are sold everywhere here. Producers strive to make pasta only from durum wheat grown here. Progress in this area does not stand still. Today new brands of products with improved health properties are presented.
The stores sell pasta from legumes that are not contraindicated for diabetics, athletes, vegetarians. The products are packed in beautiful paper bags with labels, where the manufacturer is indicated in bright letters. Barilla, Molto Bene, Ledi, Divella, Felicetti, Agnesi, Garofalo, La Molisana - this is not a complete list of companies with a long history. Today they produce the highest quality pasta with spices, herbs, vegetables and seafood additives.
Wine
It is interesting to know how the dispute between Dionysius, the Greek God of wine, and Bacchus, the wine God of Rome, would have ended, if they were to find out whose wine is better. But real history shows that the Greeks at the dawn of our era called Italy Enotria (the country of wine). From this we can conclude that wine was highly valued even in antiquity. It was Ancient Rome that became the forefather of French, Bulgarian, Hungarian and other vineyards. Modern descendants of the Romans not only kept the secrets of winemaking, but also improved this technology.
Local wines are classified according to quality. Table wines are made from any grape variety, they can be of different qualities. Strict control is practiced in the manufacture of vintage wine - from the cultivation of grapes to the completion of the process. World famous varieties of Tuscan red wine: Chianti, Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc. White wine lovers choose Vermentino, Chardonnay, Trebbiano. Each of the 6 areas producing noble drinks strives to become a quality leader. Any wine bought in Italy will not disappoint those to whom it is intended.
Coffee
Although the coffee production in Italy does not have a long history, today there are more than 800 companies in the country engaged in the production of an invigorating drink. Despite the lack of their own coffee plantations, producers compete successfully even with Brazil. Many European states, including Russia, are actively importing it in large quantities.
The Illi cafe company in Trieste was founded in 1933 by Francesco Illi, who in 1934 patented the inert gas packaging system for grains. The coffee aroma was perfectly preserved in it. The invention gave impetus to the development of the company, and today Illy caffe is a famous brand of Italian coffee. Another 14 brands of packaged coffee are considered the most popular. The Kimbo company, which takes the 2nd place, produces a mixture of Arabica and Robusta Gold Medical and Macinato Fresco. Pellini, one of the 5 largest coffee companies, exports its products to 20 countries.
The oldest company Lavazza is famous, producing coffee blends Crema e Gusto and Qualita Oro. The Molinari firm (1911) makes 86 varieties of coffee blends. Italians love the Borbon, Vergnano, Hausbrandt coffee brands. Your loved ones will love the coffee.
Olive oil
On the plantations of the provinces of Tuscany, Umbria, Apulia and in other 9 regions, 400 varieties of olives are grown. Therefore, there are plenty of raw materials for the production of olive oil, as well as first-class masters who are engaged in the production of the "visiting card" of the state. It is not a problem to buy olive oil in any city. However, it must be remembered that this useful product has a short shelf life - 1 month after opening the bottle.
When the oil comes into contact with oxygen, oxidation occurs, and it loses its useful qualities. When buying, be sure to check the date and place of manufacture, as well as the manufacturer. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, olive oil is an excellent cancer prevention tool. Even when frying food, dangerous carcinogens are not formed, which cannot be said about other types of oils. To please friends and family, it is best to buy a few small bottles.
Usually the oil is packed in dark glass bottles to protect it from sunlight. Especially appreciated is the “extra virgin” oil, obtained mechanically by cold pressing. Sold "liquid gold" in almost all stores. If you have to go on an excursion to a small agricultural company, you can buy the freshest high quality oil there. Small manufacturers are sensitive to the manufacture of a product in order to survive in the competition.
Cheese
Italy is the record holder among other countries in the production of cheese. 600 varieties of this product from milk are produced in the whole country. Some of them have received worldwide recognition and made the local cheese makers famous. Parmesan and Mozzarella conquered gourmets all over the planet with their taste. Mozzarella is traditionally brewed from buffalo milk in the province of Campania. Currently, this delicious ball-shaped cheese is made from cow's milk for general consumption.
Parmesan is unique in that it is made from milk obtained during the green grass season (April-November). The cheese masterpiece ripens for almost 2 years. On the shell of genuine Parmesan, the inscriptions with the name and the brand name are stamped. Hard cheeses are in great demand: Grana Padano (competitor to Parmesan), Piccante, Asiago, Canestrato Pugliese (made from sheep's milk), Pecorino, etc. Of the soft varieties, Scamorza, Taleggio, Fontina, Caciotta D urbino, Epiphany, Mascarpone are considered the best.
Since hard cheeses have a longer shelf life, it is better to buy hard varieties as a gift. As a rule, all of them are sold in vacuum packaging, which guarantees the safety of product quality. On the eve of departure, you can purchase a unique soft Cachocavallo cheese in the form of a drop with a paraffin shell. Its unusual sweet taste goes well with mushrooms and vegetables. And how not to bring the famous blue cheese Gorgonzola, with noble mold, which has passed the test of time for centuries?
Balsamic vinegar
An exquisite sweet and sour condiment for dishes, known in Italy since the 11th century - balsamic vinegar - is more popular today than ever.True gourmets in their home kitchen try to use this unique ingredient to enhance the taste and healthiness of dishes. Balsamic vinegar is prepared from grape must (squeezed grape juice). Syrup is obtained from it by long boiling, which is poured into wooden barrels and kept in them for at least 3 years. The most expensive brands of balsamic can be aged for 100 years.
Barrels of different sizes (from 10 to 100 liters) are made of oak, ash, chestnut, cherry, mulberry. For the first time, balsamic vinegar was prepared in the province of Modena (Emilia-Romagna region). Here to this day they are engaged in its production according to family recipes. In the process of fermentation and infusion, the syrup is saturated with the aroma of fruit wood, extracting all useful microelements from it. For centuries, the use of this unique seasoning was the prerogative of the aristocratic nobility. The barrel of balsamic vinegar was highly regarded as a royal gift.
For some time it was considered a medicinal balm that helps with many diseases (hence the name). In the 19th century. scientific works appeared on the properties of vinegar to soften meat fibers, disinfect water, etc. Now balsamic vinegar has become widespread throughout the world. It is sold in 100 ml bottles with the word tradizionale written on the labels. They are not cheap: the maturation process is too long and a large amount of raw materials. But such a gift will become truly royal.
Condiments
Today it is already impossible to imagine Russian cuisine without the use of herbs and spices. But for many years, apart from onions, garlic and peppers, they did not improve the taste of dishes in any way. Many aromatic spices came to us from Europe, where they were supplied from South Africa since the time of the Roman Empire. Special preference was given to aromatic herbs, which were actively cultivated in France and Italy. Today, Italians cannot imagine any food without herbs and spices.
They are offered in great variety in all grocery stores, in markets and in pharmacies. Freshly cut herbs can be seen on the market stalls: basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, fennel, etc. But not everyone can bring them fresh. As a gift, it is better to buy dried spices, packed in bags. There are also spices ground into powder, nicely decorated in glass or plastic containers.
The unique aroma of basil will make meat or vegetable dishes, salad more delicious. Oregano will be an excellent flavoring addition to the first, second courses and salads. Delightful delicate scent of rosemary will ennoble any product, including dessert. It is worth purchasing an original seasoning as a delicacy - dried tomatoes. A good gift is cinnamon sticks - rolled cinnamon bark that can be ground and flavored for dough, drinks and desserts.
Panettone
When you first taste a piece of panettone, you will understand how small our world is. The taste of this dessert will remind you of our Easter cake. The only difference is that Italians bake this confection on Christmas. There are, of course, some nuances that distinguish panettone from Easter cakes. For example, in addition to the main ingredients, candied citrus fruits are added to the dough, which give a wonderful aroma and taste to the sweet cake. By tradition, they are cooked up to 30 cm high.
They look very appetizing, delighting with a ruddy golden crust. Baking beautiful and delicious pastries for Christmas is an old tradition of the aristocratic circles of Italy. Today they are available to everyone. The culinary masterpiece has its own history and legendary basis. According to legend, the appearance of the panettone was facilitated by an assistant chef of the noble Milanese house of Sforza, whose head was the ruler of Monaco Ludovico il Moro.
The cook, preparing a birthday cake for the Christmas banquet, burned it. In order not to incur the owner's anger on his boss, Pan de Toni (that was the name of the cook) hastily made a dough of eggs, sugar, candied fruit and raisins and managed to bake it to serve the dessert. The cupcake was highly appreciated by the owner, and since then they began to cook it at Christmas under the name "Panettone", improving the recipe. The addition of oil and yeast was borrowed from representatives of the Russian community in Milan. The cake will be a pleasant surprise for loved ones.
Canned truffles
The most famous mushrooms - truffles have long been considered a royal delicacy. They were really adored by all French kings. But Italian truffles are as famous as their French counterparts. Otherwise, they are called diamond mushrooms here, which does not correspond to their appearance. Nondescript tubers of irregular shape have an uneven surface of brownish or yellowish color. The dense pulp of white, cream and yellow-brown shades tastes like cheese with a garlic smell.
In Italy, they grow in deciduous forests in loose limestone soil under the lateral roots of oaks, willows, lindens, poplars. Their main place of growth is the oak forests of Piedmont and areas bordering France. Searching for underground mushrooms is a delicate matter that requires skill and caution, which affects their sky-high price (up to $ 8 thousand per 1 kg.) Experienced "treasure hunters" are guided by the accumulation of flies under the tree.
Insects sense the specific smell of truffles and flock to this place. White truffles do not grow in colonies, but one by one, hiding under the rhizomes. You need to be very dexterous to extract the mushroom delicacy whole. The mass gathering in Piedmont begins in October, and the harvest ends with a truffle fair. Canned truffles are sold in glass and metal jars of small volumes at a price of over 1,000 rubles. They taste like freshly cooked mushrooms.
Chocolate
Many countries can boast of the quality of their chocolate, but the Italian dessert is in high demand. The country exports 45% of the sweet product every year to the richest European countries, India, China and Australia. Turin has been the chocolate capital of the European Union for many years. Various brands of sweet tiles are made here. The Modico chocolate produced in the town of the same name in Sicily is in particular demand. The preparation of this species is based on an ancient recipe of the Aztecs without heating at high temperatures.
The famous "Ferrero" sweets, light, airy, with a nut filling, have become a favorite delicacy in the world. The "Bucky Perugino" chocolate is a symbol of lovers, an indispensable attribute of a romantic date. Has won sympathy for the dark chocolate "Amadeus Toscano" and "Toscano", which received awards from the Academy of Chocolate. The production was founded by a young entrepreneur, in whose company truffles, bars, chocolate paste and bars are made, which have won recognition for the sweet tooth. If you want to surprise your family with an unusually tasty sweetness, buy something from these brands of chocolate.
Prosciutto and sausages
In the variety of different meat products, Italy is not inferior to Germany. Sausages and ham (prosciutto) have long won the sympathy of foreigners. They are prepared from different types of meat: pork, beef, lamb, goat meat, donkey meat, horse meat. Poultry is also used - geese and turkey, from which minced salami is made.
Everyone can choose a product according to their tastes and religious beliefs. Prosciutto (dry-cured ham) turns out to be very tasty and nutritious as a result of a long ripening period (300 days). Ham is also cooked in a steam oven at + 70 ° - prosciutto cotto. Dry-cured ham is stored longer - it's better to buy this type as a gift. Salami sausage is extremely popular, many types of which are on sale.
In addition to pepper, garlic, fennel, nutmeg, juniper fruits, myrtle, and red wine are added to the minced meat from high-quality meat.The shops offer different varieties of salami, from tiny sausages weighing 25 grams. up to 5 kg copies. But the production process for this sausage is equally complex. In addition to salami, bacon "pancetta" or raw smoked ham "speck" will be a good present.
Limoncello
Already by the name it is easy to determine that it is something related to lemon. Yes, it is an alcoholic drink made with lemon peel. The recipe for making lemon liqueur, at first glance, is very simple: the zest of lemons is poured with alcohol, infused for several days, then water and sugar are added in a certain proportion. The mixture is filtered, emulsified and bottled. The method of infusion allows you to preserve all vitamins, useful microelements and extract the essential oils contained in the peel.
The higher the quality of the lemons, the better the zest, which gives an amazing aroma to the liqueur. Liqueur is prepared all over Italy, but the most famous variety is produced in Sorrento. Lemons grown on volcanic soil are large and fragrant. Liqueur Villa Massa, Liquore di limoni are elite brands made according to old recipes. The liqueur produced in Trentino - Bertaqnolli has earned recognition. Popular among the people, Palinni is an inexpensive but not bad taste drink. The choice of limoncello is rich, and buying it is not a problem.
Carnival masks
Remember the brilliant, witty operetta "The Bat" by Strauss, where a wife hidden under a carnival mask makes her husband fall in love with her again? The tradition of wearing masks appeared in Venice with the advent of the Comedy del Artó - street performances. Gradually, they became an indispensable attribute of the Venice carnivals, and the tradition spread throughout Europe. Craftsmen made them light, using papier-mâché technology and all kinds of decorations.
After long oblivion due to the cancellation of carnivals, masks have lost their popularity. The craft of making them was revived in the country in the last century (1979) along with the resumption of festive carnivals. Nowadays, carnival masks are sold not only in Venice, but also in other cities, and in online stores. Many of them are true artistic masterpieces. Typical del Art characters are still popular: Columbine, Harlequin, Pierrot, Brighella.
Classic masks are in demand: Bauta, Cat, Volto, Plague Doctor, Venetian Lady, etc. Each of them has its own interpretation and history. Bauta - a black or white mask - a kind of Russian Babai, a funny scarecrow for children. The appearance of the Cat is due to a Chinese who visited Venice with a cat who caught a lot of mice. The mask you purchased is an extravagant rare gift.
Murano glass
The invention of the ancient Egyptians, which became indispensable for human existence, acquired unique features in Italy in the form of Murano glass. It is made on the Venetian island of Murano according to ancient technology, kept in strict secrecy. For its disclosure, the death penalty was threatened, the craftsmen and members of their families were forbidden to leave the island. Colored Murano glass is brewed from Venetian silicate sand by hand, adding chemical elements to give different shades. There are 6 categories of Murano glass with different nuances.
Items that are numerous in shape, purpose and color are on sale: tableware, decorative vases, ornaments, lamps, Christmas tree decorations, clocks. Murano glass is used in sculptural art. Exclusive samples of products are actively purchased by collectors. The original copies must be signed by the glassblower, the inscription in gold "Murano Glass", and not just a stamp. There is always a catalog of products in stores, you can navigate by it when buying some thing. Murano glass jewelry or figurine is a unique gift.
Scarves and ties
It's no secret how highly valued footwear and many other Italian-made goods all over the world. Stylish accessories that complement clothes are also in great demand: scarves, stoles, shawls. The Como region is the world capital of the production of men's mufflers, ties, women's scarves and shawls. 18 factories united in a consortium are leaders in the production of high-quality silk products. There is a huge selection of ties for every taste, scarves with various symbols and without it.
Known for men's and women's cashmere scarves, soft, delicate and warm. The kaleidoscopic variety of different scarves and scarves on store shelves is striking. Monochromatic, bright, discreet, checkered, with ornaments, with embroidery - the eyes run up from the enchanting spectacle. The range of prices for cute things is also great. In haute couture boutiques, all this is expensive, and in a small souvenir shop you can buy a very decent scarf or tie for a very cheap price. If a friend or relative is a football fan, he will be delighted with a scarf with the symbols of Juventus, Inter, Milan, etc.
Moleskine diary
If in the middle of the 20th century it was difficult to imagine a creative person without a notebook or notebook, today, in the age of gadgets, you can do without them. But this does not apply to the Moleskino diaries, which are still in demand. The presence of an exclusive notebook immediately increases the status of its owner. After all, these diaries are truly legendary items, cult values. In different eras, they were used by the greats of this world, from Van Gogh to Ernest Hemingway.
They trusted Moleskin's diaries for many years with the rudiments and theses of future masterpieces. The famous notebooks got their name from the moleskin fabric (moleskin) used as a binding. The legendary history of moleskines ended in 1986 when the last French family business to produce notebooks closed. However, enterprising Italians from a small publishing house saved the “legend” by registering the Moleskino trademark in Milan. Now, under this logo, more than 20 types of products are produced for people of various professions.
Telephone and address directories, sketchbooks, calendars, notebooks of various formats and contents, laptop cases, etc. You can buy a suitable option in any bookstore in different cities.
Jewelry
Knowing the history of world art, one should not be surprised that the descendants of the great creators Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo are the best masters of jewelry. Their products are true masterpieces of precious metals and stones. The jewelry art of Italy began to emerge back in Great Rome and was developed during the Renaissance. Today, jewelers set the tone for the whole world, creating new trends in this fine art. Grace, noble luxury, perfection of lines and textures are the distinctive features of their jewelry.
In many regions of the country, virtuoso craftsmen are working, transforming cold metal into a creation that plays with life. Amazing jewelry of many famous Italian brands has won the hearts of world celebrities. The venerable communities of jewelers in Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneta, Lombardy are trendsetters in the European Union. Some of them create extra-class jewelry (Luca Karati, Fani Gioielli), some only work with silver or diamonds. Among the huge assortment of jewelry, everyone can choose the appropriate version of the product.
Leather products
Even at the dawn of mankind, our distant ancestors kept warm, wrapping themselves in animal skins. The instinct of self-preservation told them that it was the skin and wool that would best protect them from the cold. Over the past millennia, this natural material is more relevant than ever. In the era of the heyday of synthetic substitutes, leather is still at the height of fashion and popularity. Leather goods are in great demand all over the world.Excellent leather dressing, stylishness, elegance of forms, general entourage of leather jackets, bags, wallets, purses, belts evoke sympathy in all countries.
Connoisseurs of leather things prefer the famous Barbarina company, which produces various accessories. A purse or purse under this logo is a luxurious gift to family and friends. The highest chic is to have a leather jacket, a bag and accessories from Pierotucci for 40 years, the company has been making products from leather of the finest workmanship, and at the same time, very durable. A wide assortment and rich color spectrum of goods will allow you to become the owner of an exquisite item.
Perfume
Although the country is inferior to the world palm in the production of perfumes to France, this does not mean that the quality of Italian perfumes is inferior to French counterparts. Even in prehistoric times, they actively experimented here on the creation of various aromatic liquids, incense and ointments. The first shops selling "scented water" appeared in Venice in the 16th century. Even then, there was a competition between the two countries, which continues to this day. Today, local perfume, along with French, is in high demand in the world.
It is impossible to list all the modern perfume companies that produce exclusive perfumes that smell of divine aromas. Fruity, woody, citrus, berry, floral notes have a subtle expression, temperamental expressiveness and tenderness. The perfume from G. Armani, Prada, Bulgari, Gucci and others deserved universal appreciation. Business active ladies appreciated the Si Eau de Toilette, released by Armani in 2016. Valentino compositions are ideal for romantic dates. In the colossal assortment of perfumes, both for women and men, there is a rich selection.
Cosmetics
In recent years, much has been done to produce natural cosmetics from organic materials. It is important that the prices for it are lower than in Russia, so you should definitely buy a couple of jars of cream or mask. On the packaging of such products, the word "naturale" is printed, which means that it contains 95% natural ingredients. 3 brands of organic cosmetics are widely known in Europe.
The Ligurian company I Provenziali, founded in 1965 by the soap-maker Ginasso, produces face and body creams and balms, shampoos and shower gels, slimming and makeup removers, scrubs, soaps, liquid and solid shea butter. Manufacturers use rose petals, almonds, aloe vera, algae, argan oil, etc. as ingredients. Consumers have appreciated L Erboristica creams and masks for face, body and hair.
The basis of the composition of all cosmetics is oils: coconut, almond, argan, baobab, shea. Anti-aging cream perfectly moisturizes and rejuvenates the skin, argan oil smoothes wrinkles. Good anti-cellulite creams from Guam. Natural cosmetics are sold in specialty stores-erbosterias, and in pharmacies, and in Inyerspar supermarkets.
