Food trends

Although the concept of functional foods originated in Japan back in the 1980s - when government agencies started approving foods with verified benefits, in an effort to improve the health of the general population – the topic is becoming more and more popular now that consumers all over the world are more conscious than ever about the food they purchase and eat. In a few words, functional foods are ingredients that offer health benefits which extend beyond their nutritional value: some are naturally healthier than others, some may contain supplements or other additional ingredients designed to improve health. The most…

For as much as it used to be a local delicacy, these days Buffalo mozzarella (PDO) - aka mozzarella di bufala DOP, in Italian - is one of the foods that people order automatically whenever they see it on a menu. Never mind if the restaurant is in Rome, Abu Dhabi, Shanghai or New York City. Creamy, flavorful and incredibly soft, it is the ultimate mouth-watering experience for dairy lovers all over the world. Mozzarella di Bufala DOP is a fresh cheese made with the milk of the domestic buffalo, typical of southern Italy. Buffalo’s milk is higher in calcium,…

Last month all the major newspapers reported the presentation of NutrInform Battery, the Italian proposal for the adoption of a common food labeling system at European level. Conceived and created by a working group made up of experts from four ministries (Health, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs and Economic Development), food scientists and representatives of the agricultural world and industry, the Nutrinform Battery aims at providing a fairer alternative to the Nutri-Score, the front-labelling system selected by the French government in March 2017. Following France - which selected Nutri-Score after a randomized control trial comparing four labels, conducted in real-world conditions -…

Stracciatella is becoming more and more popular everywhere as chefs all over the world, who appreciate its taste and versatility, are featuring it on their menus. Despite the confusion that may be generated by its name - which defines also an egg-enriched soup and a chocolate-flecked ice-cream - Stracciatella is the trendiest of all the Italian fresh cheeses: a luscious, creamy cow's milk cheese made of shreds of mozzarella (to shred is stracciare, in Italian) mixed with cream. Possibly the best by-product made with mozzarella leftovers, Stracciatella originated in Puglia at the beginning of the last century; just like Burrata,…

Following a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly back in 2013 and the International Year of Pulses organized by FAO in 2016, World Pulses Day has been celebrated every year on the 10th of February since 2019, when this day was chosen to raise public awareness of the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses as part of a sustainable food production. Under the theme “Pulses to empower youth in achieving sustainable agrifood systems”, this year’s celebration focusses on the fundamental role of younger generations to bridge the gap between traditional farming techniques and new technologies, in order to promote…

Back in 2020, during the hardest months of the pandemic when stay-at-home orders were imposed almost everywhere in the world, restaurants had to stop their dine-in activities. Many businesses had no option but to close, many others showed resilience by deciding to reinvent themselves. In this perspective, the delivery service became a business opportunity to be rapidly implemented in order to stay afloat. Despite the concern showed at first by consumers - who were worried about the transmission of COVID-19 via food delivery - this choice proved to be successful. Although during the several lockdowns people tended to prepare and…

Last November and December the market registered yet another rise – the third in the past six months – in agricultural prices. It was a +5.1% month-on-month, stronger than October’s 2.5% increase which was largely due to higher prices for many commodities and especially, among the others for wheat and coffee, as ongoing weather concerns in major-producing areas ( such Brazil, Canada and Eastern Europe) continued to hinder the supply scenario amid rising demand. On a larger scale, last September the FAO Food Price Index reported a staggering +23.1% of global food prices compared with December 2020 (for 2021 as…

In Christmas gatherings all over the world many are the topics that get relatives and friends converse for long hours. The same happens here in Italy; yet, be it due to our natural inclination for passionate discussions or to the engrained love for good food that make us all expert in something culinary, chances are that the old dilemma between Panettone and Pandoro may well heat up the conversation at the end of a meal. The two most loved Christmas desserts have been fighting to win the hearts of the Italians since marketing and logistics made them available throughout the…

If there has ever been a time for Prosecco, this must be now. Not just because the festive season is upon us, but literally because Prosecco seems to be the trending topic in the food and drink industry at the moment. Astonishing figures are reported by the press: in 2020, 500 million bottles were produced, for a turnover of 2.4 billion euros. Now, with an export growth of 35% in the first six months of 2021, Prosecco is the most consumed Italian wine in the world. The success story of Prosecco saw a tenfold expansion in sales over the past…

As we all become more and more aware of the climate changes and how they are impacting our lives, a brand new consciousness is developing at consumer level about green choices when it comes to buying food. In this perspective, it should not come as a surprise the storm that has recently hit the market and that goes by the name of plant-based food. From bread and pastries, to pizza and even burgers: 2020 saw an array of new green products popping up on the shelves of groceries and specialized stores in a rapid crescendo that culminated with the launch,…

As winter is rapidly approaching, the harvest season has just drawn to a close. The first news about the Italian extra-virgin olive oil production mark an increase of +15% compared to last year and an excellent level of quality. This year, the overall production of EVO oil in Italy should be around 315 million kilos: in line with the statistics of the latest harvest but lower than expected. The drought that during the warmest months hit Puglia - the region whose production represents half of the entire national one - negatively affected the figures however other regions, such as Lazio…

Together with extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar is one of the most popular gourmet products coming from Italy. As it often happens with iconic Italian foods and food-related products, many are its fraudulent imitations that may disorient the consumer. Let’s put it simply: the shorter the label, the better the product. Traditional Balsamic Vinegar is a reduction of naturally fermented grape must coming only from Lambrusco, Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Albana, Ancellotta, Fortana and Montuni vines. The must is cooked and then aged in barrels or casks made from selected wood types such as oak, chestnut, mulberry and juniper. The minimum amount…