With Valentine’s Day around the corner, many of us are picking out chocolate treats for our Valentines, families, children, and friends.  Instead of a big chocolate heart this year or an array of candies in a heart-shaped box, consider an Italian chocolate delicacy instead.  Sure to please the pickiest connoisseur, Mia Emilia’s Dark Chocolate with Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is a truly special gift for those who appreciate quality and tradition. The excellent, passionate balsamic vinegar makers at Acetaia Castelli in Reggio Emilia, Italy are well aware of the love that develops for their products after one taste.  A love...

While here in the States, New Year’s Day often marks the end of our holiday season, in Italy, the fun continues.  Especially for kids, Epiphany on January 6th is almost as exciting as Christmas itself.  Epiphany celebrates the day when the Wise Men came, following a star, to the manger to visit the Christ Child and bring Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  In Italy’s famous Presepe, nativity scenes, and the Renaissance paintings like the one featured here by Sandro Botticelli, we often see this moment beautifully depicted. Italians have added legend to the holy celebration in the form...

Every year the time seems to fly by faster, and here we are in December once again!  It’s Christmas time, and in Italy markets are opening, cities are lighting their trees, and the spirit of Christmas warms the chilled air. If you are still thinking through your Christmas list this year, we have put together a guide to help give you some ideas for the special people in your life.  Please enjoy, and we wish you all, Buon Natale!  Merry Christmas!  

Torrone is an Italian nutty nougat candy, often combined with almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts or even fruit, and local Italian honey. The makers of Mia Emilia’s Torrone, available in different flavors and varieties, all spectacular, come from the region of Campania in the South of Italy.  The family tells us that their dedication to the “Vecchia Maniera”, Old Method, makes their artisanal products special.  Recipes have been handed down through the centuries.  Ingredients in the Torrone are made up of at least 50% nuts (most use almonds and/or hazelnuts, a few include pistachios).  Local honey gives a natural sweetness that combines...