Italian food products facts for kids

Pizza marinara served in Naples

Italy is famous for making many delicious food products! From tasty olive oil to amazing cheeses and different kinds of pasta, Italy has a rich food history.

Olive Oil: A Golden Liquid

Italian olive oil

Italy is one of the biggest producers of olive oil in the world. They make over 464,000 tons of it each year! A lot of this is "extra virgin" olive oil, which is the best quality.

Many Italian olive oils have special labels like PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) or PGI (Protected Geographical Indication). These labels mean the oil comes from a specific place and is made in a traditional way. It's like a special stamp of quality from the EU.

Olive trees grow all over Italy, covering about one million hectares of land. Most olive trees are found on hills (53%) and plains (44%). They love warm weather, so you'll find most olive farms in central and southern Italy. Some areas in the north, like Liguria and around Lake Garda, also grow olives because they have a mild climate. Many small farms, over a million of them, grow olives in Italy.

Honey: Sweet and Diverse

Italy has an amazing variety of honey! While other countries might have 10 to 15 types, Italy boasts 51 different kinds. Each type comes from different flowers, like strawberry trees, thorns, or ivy. Some rare honeys even come from the Venetian lagoon!

Honey is made all over Italy, including the islands. However, most of it comes from the northern and central regions, like Emilia Romagna, Lombardy, Veneto, and Piedmont. Even though southern Italy has a great climate for bees, less honey is produced there because there are fewer beekeepers.

Cheeses: A World of Flavors

Pecorino romano

Italy is famous for its incredible variety of cheeses. Here are some popular ones:

• Asiago
• Gorgonzola
• Grana Padano
• Buffalo mozzarella
• Parmigiano-Reggiano
• Pecorino Romano
• Pecorino d'Abruzzo
• Caciocavallo
• Mozzarella
• Scamorza
• Stracchino

Cured Meats: Savory Delights

Mortadella

Italian cured meats are very popular. They are often served as appetizers or in sandwiches.

• Capocollo
• Cotechino
• Guanciale
• Mortadella
• Pancetta
• Prosciutto
• Prosciutto di Parma
• Prosciutto San Daniele
• Ventricina
• Liver sausage
• Wild pig's sausage

Wine: Italy's Famous Drink

Wine bottles in Florence

Italy is the biggest wine producer in the world! They make many different types of wine, from sparkling to rich red wines.

• Prosecco
• Asti spumante
• Lambrusco
• Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
• Chianti
• Verdicchio
• Passerina

Bread, Pizza, and Focaccia: Staple Foods

These are some of the most well-known Italian foods, enjoyed all over the world.

• Piadina
• Pizza
• Breadstick
• Bruschetta
• Polenta

Pasta: Endless Shapes and Sizes

Penne served in Rome

Pasta is a classic Italian food, coming in countless shapes and forms.

• Spaghetti
• Agnolotti
• Tortellini
• Orecchiette
• Ravioli
• Tagliatelle
• Macaroni
• Lasagne
• Gnocchi
• Bucatini
• Penne

Rice: The Base for Risotto

Risotto

While pasta is famous, rice is also very important in Italian cooking, especially for dishes like Risotto.

• Risotto

Eggs: Simple and Delicious

Eggs are used in many Italian dishes, including the popular frittata.

• Frittata

Meat: Traditional Dishes

Italian cuisine also includes various meat dishes.

• Bresaola
• Beefsteak Florentine style

Fish: From the Sea

With a long coastline, Italy enjoys many fresh fish and seafood dishes.

• Tuna
• Cacciucco
• Mantis shrimp