AH-HA! Now I’m Cooking With Broadband

The food here is very different from what one might find in the States. All the fresh fruit and vegetables and meat are organically grown/raised (we know what our paterfamilias thinks of this, but I’ll let you make up your own mind: Read this for a short, objective evaluation of organic farming vs. non-organic farming). You can tell the difference, both in the taste of the food and how it makes you feel. There are few pre-packaged, processed foods, and a lot less meat than an american is used to. I would have to say that, while all aspects of the food culture here in Italy have affected me, the things that I’ve noticed most (and will most miss) are: 1) fruit products: The fruit stuff here is so delicious!! The yoghurt, jam, flavored honey…you name it, it’s more delicious. and 2) the “real” chocolate. Perugia is home to the original Perugina chocolate factory (which is now unfortunately owned by Nestle, but still makes chocolate that can make you cry), and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to eat american chocolate again. I really can’t rave enough, but mentioning everything I see on the shelves in my local grocery store would take a little time, so I’ll just add one more comment:

1 litre olive oil: $7.30 (yes, dollars, not euros).
Getting 1 litre of olive oil for $7.30: Priceless.