Italy, a radiant, temperamental country blessed by the sun, wins hearts from the first visit. The homeland of genius painters, renowned opera singers, and film actors, Italy has played a significant role in the development of European art. It is home to the Vatican, the “heart” of the Catholic faith, the unique city on water Venice, and the famous La Scala.
Italy is also famous for its seaside resorts, beaches, hospitality, and thriving light industry. The extraordinary generosity of nature, combined with the talent and hard work of Italians, offers the world a wealth of unique products and various goods. Clothing, shoes, spaghetti, wines, cheeses, olive oil are highly valued in the global market.
Vast olive groves, endless vineyards, mandarin, and orange orchards adorn the fertile land washed by four seas. Tourists never face problems choosing what to bring back from Italy as gifts—the options are abundant.
Pasta
Italians have earned the nickname “macaroni eaters” because of their favorite national dish. Italy became the world stage for the production of dried dough products. Today, pasta of various types, shapes, and colors is available everywhere.
Dishes made from pasta are prepared in almost every household. However, Italian pasta, collectively known as “pasta” (dough), has its unique characteristics. It’s unforgivable not to buy some types of pasta as a pleasant gift while in Italy. Long, short, shaped, large, small, stuffed pasta is sold everywhere.
Producers strive to make pasta only from durum wheat grown locally. Progress in this area continues. Today, new brands of pasta with improved health benefits are available.
Stores offer pasta made from legumes, suitable for diabetics, athletes, and vegetarians. Products are packaged in beautiful paper bags, with labels prominently displaying the manufacturer. Barilla, Molto Bene, Ledi, Divella, Felicetti, Agnesi, Garofalo, La Molisana are just a few companies with a long history. They produce the highest quality pasta with seasonings, herbal, vegetable, and seafood additives.
Wine
It’s interesting to ponder how the debate between Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, and Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, would end if they argued over whose wine is better. Historical records show that the Greeks called Italy Enotria (the land of wine) at the dawn of our era.
This implies that wine was highly valued even in ancient times. Ancient Rome became the progenitor of vineyards in France, Bulgaria, Hungary, and other regions. Modern Romans have not only preserved winemaking secrets but have also perfected the technology. Local wines are classified according to quality.
Table wines are made from any grape varieties and can vary in quality. Strict control is practiced in producing vintage wines—from growing the grapes to completing the process. The world-renowned Tuscan red wines include Chianti, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Lovers of white wines can choose Vermentino, Chardonnay, Trebbiano. Each of the six regions producing noble beverages strives to become the quality leader.
Coffee
Although Italy’s coffee production history is not long, today, more than 800 companies produce this invigorating beverage. Despite the lack of local coffee plantations, Italian producers successfully compete even with Brazil. Many European countries, including Russia, actively import large quantities of coffee from Italy.
Francesco Illy founded the company Illy Caffe in Trieste in 1933 and patented a system for packaging coffee beans using inert gas in 1934. This system preserved the coffee aroma well. The invention spurred the company’s growth, and today, Illy Caffe is a famous Italian coffee brand. Fourteen other packaged coffee brands are also popular. The company Kimbo, which ranks second, produces blends of Arabica and Robusta “Gold Medal” and Macinato Fresco. The company Pellini, one of the top five large coffee companies, exports its products to 20 countries.
The oldest company Lavazza is renowned for its coffee blends Crema e Gusto and Qualita Oro. The company Molinari (founded in 1911) produces 86 types of coffee blends. Italians love the Borbon, Vergnano, and Hausbrandt coffee brands. Coffee will be a delightful gift for your loved ones.
Olive Oil
Four hundred varieties of olives are grown on plantations in the regions of Tuscany, Umbria, Apulia, and nine other areas. Therefore, there is plenty of raw material for producing olive oil, the country’s “calling card,” and many top-class artisans engaged in its production. Buying olive oil in any city is not a problem. However, it’s essential to remember that this healthy product has a short shelf life—one month after opening the bottle.
When olive oil comes into contact with oxygen, oxidation occurs, and it loses its beneficial qualities. When purchasing, always check the manufacturing date and place, as well as the producer. Olive oil rich in antioxidants and vitamins is an excellent preventive measure against cancer.
Even when frying foods, harmful carcinogens do not form, unlike other types of oils. To please friends and relatives, it is best to buy several small bottles.
Typically, olive oil is packaged in dark glass bottles to protect it from sunlight. Extra virgin oil, obtained mechanically through cold pressing, is especially valued. “Liquid gold” is sold in almost all stores. If you visit a small agricultural firm, you can buy the freshest high-quality oil there. Small producers are meticulous in making their products to survive in a competitive market.
Cheese
Six hundred varieties of cheese are produced in Italy. Some have gained worldwide recognition and made local cheesemakers famous. Parmesan and Mozzarella have won the hearts of gourmets globally.
Traditionally, Mozzarella was made from buffalo milk in the Campania region. Today, this delicate cheese is made from cow’s milk for broader consumption. Parmesan is unique because it is made from milk produced during the green grass season (April-November). The cheese masterpiece matures for almost two years.
The genuine Parmesan rind is stamped with the name and bears the brand mark. Hard cheeses like Grana Padano (Parmesan’s rival), Pecorino, and others are in high demand. From the soft varieties, the best are Scamorza, Taleggio, Fontina, Caciotta d’Urbin, Crescenza, and Mascarpone.
Since hard cheeses have a longer shelf life, it is better to buy hard varieties as gifts. They are usually sold in vacuum packaging, ensuring the product’s quality. Before departure, you can buy unique soft cheese Caciocavallo, shaped like a drop with a wax rind. Its unusual sweet taste pairs well with mushrooms and vegetables. And how can you not bring back the famous blue cheese Gorgonzola, with noble mold, that has stood the test of time?
Balsamic Vinegar
The exquisite sweet and sour condiment—balsamic vinegar—is more popular than ever. True gourmets strive to use this unique ingredient in their home kitchens to enhance the taste and health benefits of dishes.
Balsamic vinegar is made from grape must (pressed grape juice) by long boiling to make syrup, which is poured into wooden barrels and aged for at least three years. The most expensive balsamic can be aged for up to 100 years.
Barrels of different sizes (10 to 100 liters) are made from oak, ash, chestnut, cherry, and mulberry. Balsamic vinegar was first produced in the province of Modena (Emilia-Romagna region). It is still made there according to family recipes. During fermentation and aging, the syrup absorbs the fruity wood aroma and extracts all the beneficial microelements.
For centuries, the use of this unique condiment was the prerogative of aristocratic nobility. A barrel of balsamic vinegar was highly valued as a royal gift. It was once considered a medicinal balm that helped with various ailments (hence the name).
In the 19th century, scientific works appeared on the vinegar’s properties to soften meat fibers, disinfect water, and more. Today, balsamic vinegar is widely used worldwide. It is sold in 100-milliliter bottles labeled “tradizionale.” They are not cheap: the maturation process is too long, and the raw material volume is significant. But such a gift will be genuinely royal.
Spices
Today, it is impossible to imagine Russian cuisine without using aromatic herbs and spices. For many years, only onions, garlic, and pepper enhanced the flavor of dishes. Many fragrant spices came to us from Europe, where they were supplied from South Africa since the Roman Empire.
Aromatic herbs were particularly favored and began to be actively cultivated in France and Italy. Today, Italians cannot imagine any food without herbal seasonings and spices. They are abundantly available in all grocery stores, markets, and pharmacies.
Market stalls display freshly cut herbs: basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, fennel, and more. But not everyone can bring them fresh. As a gift, it is better to buy dried spices packaged in bags. There are also ground spices attractively packaged in glass or plastic containers.
The unique aroma of basil makes meat or vegetable dishes and salads more refined. Oregano is a great flavor addition to soups, main dishes, and salads. The delightful delicate scent of rosemary enhances any product, including desserts.
It is worth purchasing original dried tomato seasoning as a delicacy. Cinnamon sticks—rolled bark of the cinnamon tree—are a great gift. They can be ground to flavor dough, drinks, and desserts.
Panettone
When you first try a piece of panettone, you’ll understand how small our world is. This dessert’s flavor will remind you of our Easter cake. The difference is that Italians bake this confection for Christmas. There are, of course, some nuances distinguishing panettone from Easter cakes. For example, the dough contains candied citrus fruits, giving a wonderful aroma and taste to the sweet cake. Traditionally, they are made up to 30 cm high.
They look very appetizing, with a golden-brown crust. Baking beautiful and delicious confections for Christmas is an old tradition among aristocratic circles. Today, they are available to everyone. This culinary masterpiece has its history and legendary foundation. According to legend, the creation of panettone was facilitated by the assistant chef of the noble Milanese house of Sforza, headed by ruler Ludovico il Moro.
The chef burned the Christmas cake he was preparing for the banquet. To avoid his master’s wrath, the assistant, named Pan de Toni, hastily made dough from eggs, sugar, candied fruits, and raisins, and managed to bake it in time for dessert.
The cake was highly praised by the master, and since then, it has been made for Christmas under the name “Panettone,” with the recipe being perfected over time. Representatives of the Russian community in Milan contributed by adding butter and yeast. The cake will be a pleasant surprise for loved ones.
Preserved Truffles
The most famous mushrooms—truffles—have long been considered a royal delicacy. French kings adored them. Italian truffles are equally renowned as their French counterparts. Otherwise, they are called diamond mushrooms, which does not match their appearance.
These unassuming irregularly shaped tubers have a rough surface of brown or yellowish color. The dense flesh of white, cream, and yellow-brown shades tastes like cheese with a garlic aroma. In Italy, they grow in deciduous forests in loose limestone soil under the lateral roots of oaks, willows, lindens, and poplars.
The main habitat is the oak forests of Piedmont and areas bordering France. Finding underground mushrooms is a delicate task requiring skill and caution, reflected in their price. Experienced “treasure hunters” look for fly clusters under trees.
Insects sense the specific smell of truffles and gather in one spot. White truffles do not grow in colonies but individually, hiding under root systems. It takes great skill to extract the mushroom delicacy whole. Mass collection in Piedmont begins in October and ends with the truffle fair. Preserved truffles are sold in small glass and metal jars. They taste no different from freshly prepared mushrooms.
Chocolate
Many countries pride themselves on their chocolate quality, but Italian chocolate is in high demand. Italy exports 45% of its sweet product annually to Europe’s wealthiest countries, India, China, and Australia. Turin has long been the chocolate capital of the European Union.
Sweet bars of various brands are made here. Chocolate “Modica,” produced in the Sicilian town of the same name, is particularly popular. This type is made based on an ancient Aztec recipe without high-temperature heating. Famous Ferrero candies, light, airy, with a nut filling, have become beloved treats worldwide.
The chocolate “Baci Perugina” is a symbol of love and an essential attribute of romantic dates. Amadei Toscano and Toscano dark chocolates, which received awards from the Chocolate Academy, have won hearts. The young entrepreneur who founded the company makes truffles, bars, chocolate spreads, and bars that have won over sweet-toothed fans. If you want to surprise your loved ones with incredibly delicious sweets, buy something from these chocolate brands.
Prosciutto and Sausages
Sausages and ham (prosciutto) have long been popular among foreigners. They are made from various meats: pork, beef, lamb, goat, donkey, and horse. Domestic poultry, such as geese and turkey, is also used to make salami.
Everyone can choose a product according to their taste and religious beliefs. Prosciutto (dry-cured ham) is delicious and nutritious due to its long maturation period (300 days). Ham is also cooked by steaming at +70°C—prosciutto cotto. Dry-cured ham lasts longer, making it a better gift. Salami, with many varieties available, is exceptionally popular.
In addition to pepper, high-quality meat is seasoned with garlic, fennel, nutmeg, juniper berries, myrtle, and red wine. Stores offer various types of salami, from tiny 25-gram sausages to 5-kilogram specimens. But the production process is equally complex for all salami. Besides salami, bacon “pancetta” or smoked ham “speck” make excellent gifts.
Limoncello
The name itself hints at its connection to lemons. Yes, limoncello is an alcoholic beverage made using lemon zest. The recipe for making lemon liqueur seems simple at first glance: lemon zest is soaked in alcohol, infused for several days, then water and sugar are added in specific proportions.
The mixture is filtered, emulsified, and bottled. The infusion method preserves all the vitamins, beneficial microelements, and essential oils in the zest. The better the quality of the lemons, the better the zest, giving the liqueur an amazing aroma. Liqueur is made throughout Italy, but the most famous variety is produced in Sorrento.
Lemons grown on volcanic soil are large and have aromatic zest. Villa Massa, Liquore di limoni are elite brands made according to ancient recipes. The liqueur produced in Trentino—Bertagnolli—has earned recognition. The popular Palini is an affordable but decent-tasting drink. Limoncello is widely available, and buying it is not a problem.
Carnival Masks
Remember the witty operetta “Die Fledermaus” by Johann Strauss, where the wife, hidden behind a carnival mask, makes her husband fall in love with her again? The tradition of wearing masks appeared in Venice with the Commedia dell’Arte—street performances. Gradually, they became an essential attribute of Venetian carnivals, and the tradition spread throughout Europe. Artists made them light using papier-mâché technology and various decorations.
After a long period of neglect due to the cancellation of carnivals, masks lost popularity. The craft of making them was revived in the last century (1979) with the return of festive carnivals. Today, carnival masks are sold not only in Venice but also in other cities and online stores. Many are genuine artistic masterpieces. Typical Commedia characters remain popular: Colombina, Harlequin, Pierrot, Brighella.
Classic masks like Bauta, Cat, Volto, Plague Doctor, Venetian Lady, and others are in demand. Each has its interpretation and history. Bauta—a black or white mask—is a variation of the Russian Babay, a funny scarecrow for children. The Cat mask owes its origin to a Chinese visitor to Venice with a cat that caught many mice. A mask you buy makes an extravagant and rare gift.
Murano Glass
An invention of ancient Egyptians, indispensable to human existence, acquired unique features in Italy as Murano glass. It is made on the Venetian island of Murano using ancient technology kept secret. Disclosure was punishable by death, and craftsmen and their families were forbidden to leave the island.
Murano glass is hand-made from Venetian silicate sand, with chemical elements added to create different shades. Six categories of Murano glass exist, each with distinct nuances. Numerous items in various shapes, purposes, and colors are available: dishes, decorative vases, jewelry, lamps, Christmas ornaments, and clocks.
Murano glass is also used in sculptural art. Exclusive samples are actively acquired by collectors. Genuine items must have the glassblower’s signature, the gold inscription “Murano Glass,” not just a stamped sticker. Stores always have a catalog of products, which can guide purchases. An ornament or figurine made of Murano glass is a unique gift.
Scarves and Ties
It is no secret how highly valued Italian shoes and many other products are worldwide. Stylish accessories that complement clothing, such as scarves, shawls, and ties, are also in high demand. The Como area is the global capital of men’s scarves, ties, and women’s scarves and shawls.
Eighteen factories, united in a consortium, lead the production of high-quality silk items. The selection of ties for any taste, neckerchiefs with various symbols or plain, is vast. Men’s and women’s cashmere scarves, soft, gentle, and warm, are renowned.
The kaleidoscopic variety of scarves and shawls in stores is dazzling. Solid colors, bright, subdued, checkered, with patterns, with embroidery—the sight is mesmerizing. Prices for these lovely items vary widely. In couture boutiques, they are expensive, but in a small souvenir shop, you can buy a very decent scarf or tie at an affordable price. If a friend or relative is a football fan, they will appreciate a scarf with Juventus, Inter, Milan, and other club symbols.
Moleskine Notebooks
In the mid-20th century, it was hard to imagine a creative person without a notebook or notepad, but today, in the age of gadgets, they seem unnecessary. However, this does not apply to Moleskine notebooks, which are still in demand. Having an exclusive notebook instantly raises the owner’s status. These notebooks are indeed legendary and cult items.
Great figures of the world, from Van Gogh to Ernest Hemingway, used them in different eras. They entrusted their ideas and theses for future masterpieces to Moleskine notebooks for many years. The famous notebooks got their name from the moleskine fabric used for binding.
The legendary history of Moleskines ended in 1986 when the last family firm in France producing notebooks closed. However, enterprising Italians from a small publishing house saved the “legend” by registering the trademark “Moleskine” in Milan. Now, under this logo, more than 20 types of products are made for people of various professions.
Telephone and address books, sketch albums, calendars, notebooks of different formats and content, laptop cases, and more can be found under the Moleskine brand. You can buy a suitable variant in any bookstore in different cities.
Jewelry
Knowing the history of world art, it’s not surprising that the descendants of great creators like Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, and Michelangelo are among the best jewelry craftsmen. Their creations are genuine masterpieces made from precious metals and stones. Italian jewelry art began in Ancient Rome and flourished during the Renaissance.
Today, Italian jewelers set trends worldwide, creating new directions in this delicate art. Elegance, noble luxury, perfection of lines, and texture are distinguishing features of their jewelry. In many regions of the country, virtuoso craftsmen turn cold metal into lively creations.
Exquisite jewelry from many famous Italian brands has won the hearts of global celebrities. Renowned jewelry guilds in Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto, and Lombardy set fashion trends in the European Union. Some create high-end jewelry (Luca Carati, Fani Gioielli), while others work exclusively with silver or diamonds. Among the vast range of jewelry, everyone can find a suitable piece.
Leather Goods
From the dawn of humanity, our distant ancestors warmed themselves by wrapping in animal skins. The instinct for self-preservation told them that leather and wool best protected them from the cold. Over millennia, this natural material has remained relevant.
Even in the era of synthetic substitutes, leather remains at the peak of fashion and popularity. Leather goods are in high demand worldwide. Excellent leather craftsmanship, stylishness, elegance of forms, and the overall appeal of leather jackets, bags, wallets, purses, and belts garner admiration everywhere.
Leather connoisseurs favor the renowned brand Barbarina, which produces various accessories. A wallet or purse with this logo makes a luxurious gift for loved ones. The ultimate luxury is owning a leather jacket, bag, and accessories from Pierotucci. For 40 years, the company has been making finely crafted yet durable leather goods. The wide assortment and rich color spectrum of products will allow you to own an exquisite item.
Perfumes
Although Italy yields the world leadership in perfume production to France, this doesn’t mean Italian perfumes are inferior in quality. From prehistoric times, Italy actively experimented with creating various aromatic liquids, perfumes, and ointments.
The first shops selling “fragrant water” appeared in Venice in the 16th century. The competition between France and Italy began then and continues to this day. Today, Italian perfumes are highly sought after worldwide alongside French ones. It is impossible to list all the modern perfume companies producing exclusive perfumes with divine aromas.
Fruit, woody, citrus, berry, and floral notes possess subtle expressiveness, temperamental vividness, and tenderness. Perfumes by Giorgio Armani, Prada, Bulgari, Gucci, and others have earned universal recognition. Active businesswomen appreciate the Si eau de toilette by Armani, released in 2016. Valentino compositions are perfect for romantic dates. The colossal range of both women’s and men’s perfumes offers a rich selection.
Cosmetics
In recent years, much has been done to produce natural cosmetics from organic materials. It’s important to note that prices are lower than in Russia, so it’s worth buying a couple of jars of cream or masks. On the packaging of such products, the word “naturale” indicates that they contain 95% natural ingredients. Three organic cosmetic brands are well-known in Europe.
The Ligurian company I Provenzali, founded in 1965 by soap maker Ginaso, produces face and body creams and balms, shampoos and shower gels, weight-loss products, makeup removers, scrubs, soaps, and both liquid and solid shea butter. The company uses rose petals, almonds, aloe vera, seaweed, argan oil, and more as ingredients. Consumers have appreciated the face, body, and hair creams and masks by L’Erboristica.
The basis of all their cosmetic products includes oils: coconut, almond, argan, baobab, and shea. Anti-aging cream perfectly moisturizes and rejuvenates the skin, while argan oil smooths wrinkles. Guam’s anti-cellulite creams are excellent. Natural cosmetic products are sold in specialty stores (herbosterias), pharmacies, and Interspar supermarkets.
Italy offers a wealth of unique and high-quality products that make for perfect gifts or personal souvenirs. Whether it’s gourmet pasta, fine wines, luxurious leather goods, exquisite jewelry, or world-renowned perfumes, there’s something for everyone to bring home a piece of Italy’s rich cultural heritage.