Table of Contents:
GELATO.
CAFFE.
DIGESTIVO.
La Dolce Far Niente
One of my favorite Italian expressions, La Dolce Far Niente, means the sweetness of doing nothing. So does Far Niente La Dolce mean Doing nothing but sweets?
Rome is the birthplace of many things, but desserts are not one of them. But you can undoubtedly find the Cannolis (Sicily), Tiramisu (Veneto), Panna Cotta (Langhe area), and gelato just about anywhere.
For example, in ancient Rome, the sweet was often a variation on fruit, honey, and nuts.
Today, in addition to fruit and honey, there are only two desserts that we think of as local.
Roman Cheesecake
- Roman cheesecake – may date back to Roman times and starts with fresh ricotta and honey. It is NOT your NY cheesecake.
- Crostata di Ricotta – Starts with ricotta, egg whites, and sugar.
Gelato
Although it did not start in Rome, we should mention gelato. First, what is Gelato?
It is Italy’s take on ice cream. In Italy, they churn the mix at a much slower rate. Namely, so less air is going into the mix. As a result, it creates an end product that has a more dense texture.
For this reason, gelato needs a slightly warmer temperature, so its texture stays silkier and softer.
Also, gelato has a lower percentage of fat. Where fat is a significant component of ice cream taste, the lack of it in gelato intensifies the primary flavor.
Caffè
Equally important is the after-dinner “caffe.” Coffee is often a separate course (10th?) coming AFTER the dessert, not with it.
Italians do not have milky coffees (cappuccino), drinks after about 10:00 in the morning. Certainly not at night.
At night it is a healthy coffee such as espresso, which you drink very hot, like a shot. With enough Italian wine, you will still sleep well.
Digestivo After the Dolce
The 74th course at dinner, (OK only the 10th) is a digestive.
Another name is Ammazzacaffè, which means a coffee killer in Italian. It covers the taste of the espresso and counters against the caffeine spike that you just shot down your throat.
It also helps digest your meal (Right, wink-wink).
For example, some of the traditional drinks in Italy are:
- Grappa – is a brandy made from wine grapes.
- Amari – is a bitter-sweet liquor with flavoring from herbs.
- Limoncello – from the Sorrento area is a lemon liqueur.
- Sambuca – A liqueur with flavoring from anise seed.
- Amaretto – is a sweet almond taste.
