Food trends

The Italian diet is renowned worldwide for its exceptional quality and diverse components. As one of the countries with the highest levels of biodiversity, Italy's agricultural landscape boasts a rich variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and other ingredients that form the foundation of the celebrated Mediterranean diet. Alifood recognizes the diversity of the Italian food system as a key factor to provide high-quality, sustainable products. Italy's incredible array of biodiversity sets it apart globally, enriching its cuisine and contributing to its gastronomic fame. Climate change, pollution, overfishing, and harmful agricultural practices over time have significantly damaged plant and animal biodiversity.…

Alifood has long been committed to research and development, dedicated to employing the most effective food preservation techniques. A key focus has been on environmental sustainability, and freeze-drying has emerged as one of the solutions.Sustainability and environmental responsibility are at the forefront of our priorities, and we believe that freeze-drying is one of the solutions available that can help us achieve these goals.Freeze-drying is a cutting-edge preservation technique that offers numerous advantages that make it a standout choice for food storage and preparation. By removing the water content from foods, freeze-drying significantly reduces their weight, making them easier to handle…

Italy's agri-food sector, a cornerstone of its economy and cultural heritage, faces increasing vulnerabilities due to dramatic shifts in climate patterns. In recent months, Italy has been experiencing the effects of climate change with extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts and floods becoming more frequent and severe. These events have had a significant impact on agri-food production, with losses estimated at 10% of the national total in 2023. The increase in temperatures has led to a decrease in crop yields, particularly for heat-sensitive crops such as wheat, maize and grapes. Olive oil production, a staple of Italian agriculture, has…

Cibus 2024, held from May 7-10 in Parma, Italy, has been hailed as a resounding success by organisers, exhibitors, and visitors alike. Recognized as the world’s largest event dedicated to Italian food and beverages, the fair attracted over 80,000 buyers from 180 countries. Attendees were treated to an array of the latest products from more than 6,000 exhibitors, showcasing the diverse culinary offerings from every region of Italy and across all sectors of the food and beverage industry. The fair saw a significant increase in the number of Italian buyers, a promising sign for the domestic market, reflecting growing demand…

Cibus, Italy's premier food exhibition, is set to return from May 7th to 10th, 2024, promising a showcase of the country's finest culinary delights. As one of the most anticipated events in the global food industry calendar, Cibus 2024 will once again provide a platform for producers, distributors, and food enthusiasts to come together and celebrate the rich diversity of Italian gastronomy. Held in the historic city of Parma, known as the heart of Italy's renowned food valley, Cibus 2024 will feature an impressive array of exhibitors, ranging from small artisanal producers to large-scale manufacturers. Visitors can expect to discover…

Aromatic herbs play a fundamental role in enhancing the flavors and aromas of dishes across various culinary traditions worldwide. From adding depth to soups and stews to lending a refreshing zest to salads and sauces, these herbs are indispensable in the culinary realm. In Italian cuisine the use of aromatic herbs is particularly revered, with certain herbs holding iconic status for their distinctive flavors and versatility. Among the numerous aromatic herbs that are most used in Italian recipes, four of them define the heart of Italian cooking: basil, parsley, rosemary and oregano. Perhaps the most iconic of all Italian herbs,…

Italian Sounding food is a topic that we recently discussed. Fake Italian products have nothing to do with the excellence of our gastronomic tradition. Unfortunately, the same can be said about fake Italian dishes that are still popular abroad.  Italian cuisine holds an esteemed place in the hearts and palates of food enthusiasts worldwide but a curious phenomenon persists in Italian restaurants in America: the prevalence of Italian-sounding dishes that often bear little resemblance to authentic Italian recipes. These adaptations tend to result in creations that blend Italian inspiration with local preferences in order to appeal to a broad customer…

It is salt that gives the name to salumi, Italian cured meats. The Latin salumen means "salty things" and, if in the past it mainly referred to fish, today it is typically used for meat. The preservative properties of salt were already well known in ancient times: it removes free water and regulates fermentation, which - when it comes to meat, matured at the right temperatures and humidity - allows the development of favorable bacteria. Salt and - in some cases - herbs, pepper and other natural spices are normally used to produce Italian cured meats: an abundance of over…

Just two years ago, more or less in the same weeks of December, we tried to explain the ultimate debate between Panettone and Pandoro, the two most loved Christmas puddings in Italy.  Although the traditional discussion is still ongoing in Italy and fans of one or the other often end up in heated arguments over which of them tastes better, the most recent figures about their export tell a story with just one main protagonist.  The export of Italian panettone and pandoro is worth approximately EUR 500 million. Last year it registered a double-digit growth in European countries such as…

Known as “black gold”, Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is one of the most popular gourmet products made in Italy.  Its market, valued at USD 1.30 billion back in 2021, is expected to reach the value of USD 2.17 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 6.60% during the forecast period (2022-29). Exports cover a share of approximately 70% and the main export markets are France, Germany and Japan but - above all - the USA. It is for this reason that Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Dop recently flew to Boston for a masterclass dedicated to retailers, chefs and…

Available from the end of September throughout the first winter months, chestnuts are the most popular autumnal fruit in Italy. In the past, people would buy roasted chestnuts from street vendors and stuff them in their pockets to keep their hands warm and, of course, have something nice to snack on. Nowadays street vendors are still there but roasted chestnuts are served wrapped in fancy paper cones and have become a rather fashionable street food. Legend has it that Italians’ love for chestnuts dates back to Ancient Roman times, when chestnuts were used as a form of currency or trade…

Italy is renowned for its rich culinary heritage, boasting an array of delicious dishes and ingredients that have captivated food enthusiasts around the world. Among the lesser-known treasures of Italian gastronomy are sottaceti and sottoli, preserved vegetables that have been cherished for generations. Sottaceti are pickled vegetables that capture the essence of seasonal produce. Italians have been pickling vegetables for centuries as a means of preserving their harvests for the colder months. The most common vegetables used in sottaceti include cucumbers, bell peppers, onions and cauliflower. These vegetables are submerged in a brine solution containing vinegar, water, salt and aromatic…