The Proper Way to Eat Italian Food in Italy
It is customary to drink wine, chop vegetables, and then linger over the meal, eating the sauce with bread. Did you know that the correct way to eat Italian food does not look the same as how your Italian friends eat it? Here’s how you should behave. First, order your secondi piatti, or second courses, in order. Finally, make sure you clink glasses with everyone around the table.
clink glasses with everyone at the table
Claiming glasses when dining out in Italy is a tradition that dates back to ancient times. It was a symbol of safety when drinking with others. Although it was common to clink glasses without tasting wine, it is still a common practice. Whatever the reason, you should always look at everyone at your table when you clink your wine glass. And if you’re eating Italian food with a group of people, it would be rude not to clink glasses with each person at the table.
Sauce with bread – soak up
The United States is used to slathering bread in butter, olive oil, or balsamic vinegar. But the Italians don’t do this. Instead, they enjoy their bread plain. If you are eating pasta, the best way to eat it is to soak it in a piece of bread. This is known as “fare la Scarpetta”.
Avoid drinking tap water
Most Italians don’t drink tap water when they eat Italian food. Although the Italians don’t drink bottled water when they eat Italian food, bottled water is just as good as tap water. It’s bad for the environment and your health, even though you might not be aware. When eating Italian food, it’s best to avoid it. Many Italian restaurants don’t use tap water. They serve bottled water instead.
Avoid grated cheese
Whether you’re trying to be healthy or just avoid grated cheese when eating Italian food is a matter of personal preference. While some people enjoy the rich, fatty flavor of grated cheese on pasta, others don’t. Regardless of your personal preference, try to limit the amount of grated cheese you consume. Here are some dishes that you might want to avoid grated cheese.
Waiting for someone to say “Buon Appetito!”
Many people wait until a waiter, host or waitress says “Buon Appetito!” before they can begin eating Italian food. Before they can start, however, This is a common tradition in Italian homes. It refers to eating together. Before you start, you might want to say a short prayer or a grace. “Buon Appetito” is “Let’s eat!”