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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…

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…

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…

Artificial Intelligence has been under scrutiny for some time now. Those who criticize it, underline the ethical and legal implications of this technology, whose complexity is still to be fully understood. On a positive note, many are the advantages of its implementation, even in sectors that are traditionally steeped in human creativity such as the restaurant industry. From the organization and management of the kitchen to customer service, AI is reshaping the dining experience in ways that were unimaginable only a few years ago. Here are five of the main changes, based on the use of AI, that are positively…

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…

In the fast-paced realm of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) continues to make significant strides across various sectors and the food industry is no exception. Recent applications of AI in the food industry are transforming the way we produce, distribute and consume food thus proving to be a game-changer in shaping the future of food. Here are some of the most important implementations for the near future. Precision Agriculture: One of the foremost applications of AI in the food industry is found in precision agriculture. AI-powered systems leverage data from sensors, satellites and drones to monitor crop health, predict yields and…

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…

The latest UN Food Systems Summit was held at the premises of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy, back in July. The aim of this global stocktaking meeting, that takes place every two years, is to review the progress of the sustainable transformation of food systems and its contributions to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. Created with the intent of uniting global leaders in an effort to find innovative ways to produce healthy fare for the world’s growing population without harming the planet, the 2023 edition built on the momentum of the…

Although the term has been in use for a few years, it seems that experiential dining is finally here to stay. If the recent pandemic made us so accustomed to food delivery that, at some point, a meal did not seem to be an incentive to leave the house anymore, a unique and memorable experience that goes beyond a mere dinner is what we are all craving right now.Already on the rise by the end of last year - with 263% increase of searches for “underwater restaurants” and 109% increase of searches for “dinner theaters” – the experiential dining trend…