Pizza, pasta, wine – the list goes on and on when it comes to delicious, authentic Italian foods. However, while most people love to eat these dishes, there are some things you may not know.  Are you intrigued by Italian culture and food? If so, you are in the right place. Here you can learn more about Italian food, and even find out a few things you may have never knew. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Italians Don’t Drink Coffee the Way You Think They Do

For most people in America, starting out their day, then ending their day and several times in the middle – coffee is a must. Not just any coffee – milky, sweet, delicious coffee. However, Italians will only drink the popular milky coffee, such as cafe latte or cappuccino first thing when they get up in the morning. Many Italians don’t drink any other coffee throughout the day.

2. Never Walk While Eating

More than 70 percent of Italian people eat meals at home – all meals. They don’t have the typical on-the-go snacks that so many Americans consume on a regular basis. Cooking is something to enjoy and eating a meal is a pleasurable experience for Italians. The act of not eating or drinking while walking is something that is ingrained in children at a very young age. So the next time you visit Italy, don’t walk down the road eating a croissant and sipping coffee.

3. Authentic Italian Pizza is a Lot Simpler than You Think

There are some people who believe that for a pizza to be authentic, it should have a thick crust. However, in Italy, this is not the case. In fact, thicker crust is reserved for a focaccia. In Italy, pizza is a combination of thin dough, toppings, tomato sauce and the right cheese. The main focus is not the bread. This technique makes it possible to taste each of the ingredients that are included. The majority of pizzas served in the states are designed to fill you up with all the bread – after all, this is cheaper than the different toppings. However, this isn’t the case with authentic Italian pizza.

4. Salad Comes at the End of the Meal

The salad, along with the roughage that is found in the salad, will help you digest everything after you eat a big meal. It is all about the digestion process in Italy, and salad really helps with this. You won’t find too many restaurants that even offer a side salad with your regular meal.

When it comes to eating in Italy, there are more than a few things you need to consider. These food rules will ensure you eat the “right” way if you are planning to visit this country.