If you have ever wondered how modern Italian cuisine came to be, here is an Italian cuisine throwback you’ll absolutely love to experience!

1. ITALIAN THROWBACK
The Cradle of All Things Yum!

2. A GASTRONOMIC JOURNEY
Have you ever wondered how celebrated, even revered, cuisines like French and
Italian came to be? Sit back and prepare your taste buds for a journey through
time!
Learn how modern Italian cuisine came to be and where our beloved pizza and
pasta dishes come from.
Source: http://www.calabriamillbury.com/menu.html Brought to you by AIMS Institutes

3. BANQUETS
Over two thousand years ago, the rich
would eat feasts made from imported
goods including:
 Ostrich meat flavoured with exotic
spices from the Middle East
 Red wine mixed with honey
 Exotic fish sauces from the
Mediterranean Sea
Imperial Rome spawned the first known
cookbook – Apicius: De re coquinaria
It’s no surprise that refined Italian cuisine began to develop within the all
powerful Roman empire. It was the elite that held banquets, through which
many new complicated dishes and flavours were introduced.
Source: http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/romanfood/p/RomanMeals.htm Brought to you by AIMS Institutes

4. BARBARIAN INTRUSION
Invaders from central and north Europe
and some even from Tibet affected the
Romans’ culinary habits. These
Barbarians introduced butter and
beer to the Roman diet. With the
Empire collapsing around them, their
dishes became simpler.
 Roasted meat
 Products made from locally grown
wheat (farro)
Source: http://foodblogga.blogspot.in/2010/04/recipe-for-
springtime-farro-with-baby.html
Brought to you by AIMS Institutes

5. ARABIAN DELIGHTS
The Arabs’ presence in Sicily during 9th
century still shows through in the
island’s cuisine today. They introduced:
 Macaroni and dry pasta
 Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons
 Spinach and rice
Source: http://larosaworks.com/new_york_sicilian_food_wine_travel_group.php Brought to you by AIMS Institutes

6. OVERSEAS FORAGING
While exploring the New World in the 15th and 16th
centuries, Italian sailors brought back:
 Tomatoes and potatoes
 Sugar cane
 Maize
 Peppers and spices
 Coffee and tea
These were incorporated into Italian cuisine
 The maize was turned into polenta, popular
even today
 Spices enabled meat preservation
 Sugar was used to create candied fruits and
nuts
Source: http://www.theurbanjournal.co.uk/image/132791683767 Brought to you by AIMS Institutes

7. CATHERINE DE MEDICI
Originally from Florence, Catherine
became the queen of France in the
16th century.
She was a food ambassador who
introduced the Renaissance cuisine to
the French elite.
She brought them:
 Lettuce and artichokes
 Truffles
 Frozen desserts
Source: http://www.kleio.org/en/history/famtree/vip/abb40x/?gallery Brought to you by AIMS Institutes

8. NORTHERN INFLUENCE
In the 18th century, France and Austria
ruled certain regions in northern Italy.
As a result of their cuisine, ‘fresh
pasta’ was popularized in the region,
becoming a luxury item.
 Adding cream, eggs and cheese while
making fresh pasta gave the city of
Bologna its own unique cuisine.
 This influence is still seen in dishes
like lasagna and tortellini.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasagne Brought to you by AIMS Institutes

9. FROM POVERTY TO PIZZA
While the cities in the northern Italy
flourished, the south was cut off from trade
routes.
Tomatoes, thought before to be
poisonous began to be widely used by the
poor in cities such as Naples.
 Cooked dough with mozzarella and
tomatoes began appearing on the streets of
Naples
 ‘Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba’ was
born in the 19th century and is the first
pizzeria that is still around today!
Source: http://www.pizzanapoletana.org/showassoc_eng.php?id=140

10. UNIFICATION
Mid 19th century, Italy was unified. This lead to trade and sharing of cuisine leading to
cookbooks like:
The Science of Cooking and the Art of Eating Well – a collection of typical
household recipes of the time.
Source: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/italian-food-0

11. GLOBALIZATION
With less regional and political
unrest, Italy shared its cuisine with
Europe and the rest of the world.
Rooted in its past, Italy’s modern
cuisine and Italian culinary schools
continue to be a reflection of the
civilization’s history and culture.
This is why pasta, balsamic
vinegar and olive oil have now
become the main ingredients in
many delicious dishes.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv2OQF7iCMI

12. CULINARY COACHING
Feel inspired to learn more about Italian cuisine? Some of the best culinary schools
in India will urge you into this rich culinary world. Set off on your gastronomic
adventure today!
Source: http://www.alma.scuolacucina.it/en/news/alma_news/
alma-viva-2013-successo-italian-culinary-festival.aspx
Brought to you by AIMS Institutes