Flavor of Italy podcast

L'Aquila, Abruzzo — a place many people still don't seem to know about, but one that carries one of the most important cultural stories in Italy right now: this year the city holds the special title of Italy's 2026 Italian Capital of Culture!

Bologna food has a way of pulling people in quietly and then never quite letting go. It isn't flashy, it doesn't shout, and it doesn't rely on trends. Instead, Bologna food reveals itself through repetition: the rhythm of fresh pasta made by hand every morning, the clink of glasses in a neighborhood osteria, the steady hum of markets that have fed the city for centuries. That is exactly what emerg...

If you've ever wished you could taste more deeply, pick up subtle flavors in wine, or understand why certain foods work beautifully together, you're not alone. The idea of improving how we taste has captured the curiosity of cooks, wine lovers, and travelers worldwide. It's the perfect moment to embrace the idea of how to train your palate, and perhaps even make it your New Year's resolution. Imag...

Discover why  Passito di Pantelleria is one of Italy's most extraordinary wines—a liquid expression of sun, wind, and volcanic rock. Helen describes drinking it as "holding a Mediterranean sunset in your glass," and in this episode you'll find out exactly why. We explore the ancient Zibibbo grape, the heroic sun-drying tradition that shapes every bottle, and the rugged island landscape that makes...

Every week on the Flavor of Italy Podcast, we explore the food, wine, history, landscapes, and everyday stories that shape life in Italy. But every now and then, a moment calls for reflection — and today is one of those days. Because today, Tuesday, November 25, is the  International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women . It's a global day of awareness and remembrance, but here in Ita...

This episode is a special re-release of one of my most engaging and talked-about podcast conversations ever—an unforgettable look into true farm-to-table life in northern Tuscany. James Martin brings to life one of his richest memories: a homestyle pig butchering carried out with his dear friend Armando in the most unassuming of places—Armando's mother's garage. Armando has since passed away, but...

If you've ever wondered what happens when classic Italian-American comfort food intersects with modern creativity, look no further than Italianish by Danny Freeman. The term Italianish perfectly captures what Danny stands for: dishes rooted in Italian and Italian-American traditions but expressed with a playful, contemporary twist. His food is not bound by rules but inspired by heritage, simplicit...

The shape of your wine glass isn't just decorative—it actively affects aroma, taste, texture, and even how your guests perceive the wine. This year, make sure that when the cork pops and the wine pours, you're not just enjoying the bottles—you're enhancing the moment by choosing the right wine glass shape. This fun and insightful podcast conversation - (and video soon to be on the Flavor of Italy...

There's something deeply comforting about a bowl of pasta drenched in red sauce. That rich tomato-based goodness—whether spiked with garlic and herbs or served with hearty meatballs—is so ingrained in the American dining experience that it's easy to assume it came straight from Italy. But the story is far more fascinating. Understanding red sauce means understanding the immigrant story. Italian-Am...

The true heart of the Puglia region is Bari—a vibrant, living city that perfectly embodies Puglia's soul. Check out all the things to do in Bari Puglia! When you think of Puglia, the first images that come to mind might be whitewashed hill towns, centuries-old olive trees, turquoise seas, and meals that seem to stretch blissfully into the afternoon. But the true heart of the region is Bari—a vibra...

Exploring one's roots can be one of the most meaningful journeys of a lifetime, and for Italian Americans, Italian heritage tours offer a chance to connect with family history, rediscover ancestral towns, and experience the culture of Italy in an intimate way. In my recent Flavor of Italy podcast episode, I spoke with Cherrye Moore, founder of My Bella Vita Travel, who has been helping Italian Ame...

Italy has a way of getting under your skin. In this episode of the Flavor of Italy podcast, I chatted with Thea Duncan—the Milan-based American behind  Doing Italy —to talk about  how to move to Italy in 2025 without losing your sanity (or your savings). If you've been dreaming about starting a new life here, this guide distills the essentials from our conversation into one practical roadmap.

When most people think of Sicily, images of citrus spring to mind: lemons, oranges, mandarins. For centuries these fruits defined the island's agricultural identity. Even Sicilian ceramics that often overflow with lemons and blood oranges. But today, something unexpected is ripening under the Sicilian sun: avocados. This isn't the first time Italy has embraced an outsider and eventually made it fe...

Pantelleria has a way of pulling very different lives into the same orbit. This wind-brushed crescent of volcanic rock in the Mediterranean sits closer to Tunisia than to Sicily, and its landscape of black stone terraces, dammusi homes, and low, bowl-trained vines shapes everything from architecture to what ends up on the plate. In this post I'm weaving together two lives that touched Pantelleria—...

The menu at Gargiulo's reflects the family's roots in Sorrento, blending classic Neapolitan recipes with Italian American adaptations. Holidays are celebrated with care, and dishes like zeppole, fig cookies, and pasta with sardines take center stage. When you think of Coney Island, images of roller coasters, the boardwalk, and summer fun come to mind. But for generations of Brooklyn families, the...

If you've ever fallen head-over-heels for a story that feels like home, you already understand the magic of Adriana Trigiani. Author, screenwriter, director, podcaster, and tireless champion of craft, Adriana has written more than twenty books—and her newest novel, The View from Lake Como, is a heartfelt exploration of family, reinvention, and the tug of Italy on an Italian-American soul.

If you've ever fallen down the rabbit hole of pasta shapes on Instagram and wondered, "Who dreams this stuff up?"—meet Laurie Boucher. She's a pasta artist, a generous teacher, a fearless tinkerer with tools, and a former attorney who flipped her life to follow flour, water, and imagination. Laurie doesn't just make pasta; she invents pasta shapes and the tools to create them—then shows the rest o...

How a Lagoon City Became a Crossroads of Cultures Venice is often celebrated for its shimmering canals, magnificent architecture, and enduring romance. But during the Renaissance, this improbable city built in a lagoon was more than just a beautiful backdrop—it was one of Europe's most important hubs for commerce, culture, and, above all, migration. And this extended to Venetian cuisine, a direct...

Design Your Italy is a highly personalized one-woman travel consultation company that helps travelers discover Italy in a way that is intimate, unique, and authentically local. On this episode we chatted about some of Sicily's most evocative destinations—from the hilltop town of Erice to the windswept volcanic islands of Pantelleria and the Aeolian archipelago. If you're looking for the ultimate I...

More chocolate stories in this delicious Part 2 Episode! A Deep Dive into Italian Chocolate, From Modica to Nutella and Beyond Italy might be most famous for pasta, pizza, and wine, but there's another delicious element of Italian culture that's often overlooked: Italian chocolate. And right now, it's having a major moment in the global spotlight. Why? Because the legendary Italian chocolate and c...

A Deep Dive into Italian Chocolate, From Modica to Nutella and Beyond Italy might be most famous for pasta, pizza, and wine, but there's another delicious element of Italian culture that's often overlooked: Italian chocolate. And right now, it's having a major moment in the global spotlight. Why? Because the legendary Italian chocolate and confectionery empire Ferrero—the family-owned company behi...

Best Italian Wines for Summer: a glorious lineup of crisp, zesty, and often under-the-radar Italian wines that are perfect for warm-weather sipping. When the Italian sun is blazing and lunch stretches lazily into the afternoon, you need a wine that refreshes—not one that weighs you down. On the latest episode of the Flavor of Italy podcast, I chatted once again with Italian wine expert Cynthia Cha...

The genius of Leonardo da Vinci remains unparalleled and his works of art and scientific knowledge are world renowned. One thing you might not know about him is that he also cultivated a small piece of land – about 8000 m² (a little under two acres) - as a courtyard vineyard. In 1498 the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Il Moro, gave this piece of land to da Vinci in part as a form of payment for The Last...

If you're in search of short story collections to dive into this summer,  The Perfect Fig by S.M. Walker should top your list. In this week's episode of the Flavor of Italy podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sharon Walker, the English-born, Italy-based author behind this charming and thoughtful work. With a cover featuring luscious figs—my favorite fruit and one I grow myself—this book c...

How Fungus-Resistant Vines Are Shaping the Future of Italian Wine A few decades ago, "PIWI wines" sounded like something out of a laboratory experiment. Today they are front-and-center in sustainable viticulture conversations from Alto Adige to Lake Garda—and for good reason. PIWI is an acronym drawn from the German Pilzwiderstandsfähige, meaning "fungus-resistant" vines. These precision-bred cros...