Grocery shopping in Italy can be a real culture shock at first.
With many new brands and unusual store layouts, the experience can be intimidating.
However, with a few simple tips, you can turn the task of doing “expense” in a pleasurable and even fun experience.
Find out how to make the most of your shopping in Italy and feel part of the local culture.
1. Adapt to Italian food
The first thing you'll notice when you walk into an Italian supermarket is the emphasis on local produce.
Italy is famous for its gastronomy, and supermarkets reflect this, offering a wide range of traditional products such as pasta, passata (tomato puree), wines and sparkling water.
However, common items in Brazil, such as agulhinha rice, black or carioquinha beans, and cassava flour, for example, may be more difficult to find.
To make your shopping easier, how about trying out Italian cuisine?
Start your shopping by looking for fresh, seasonal ingredients and build a simple, tasty meal from them.
Italian recipe tips can be found on sites like Saffron Yellow e Il Cucchiaio d'Argento.
2. Search for international markets
If you miss specific products from Brazil, don't despair.
Many Italian cities, even the smaller ones, have international markets. These markets offer a variety of items from other parts of the world, such as Asian, African and South American products.
There you can find products such as coconut milk, “Brazilian” rice, spices, cassava flour, juices such as cashew or guava, and even okra.
These markets are a cheaper and easier alternative to looking for the same products in larger supermarkets.
3. Avoid touching the fruit
One of the most important unspoken rules when shopping in Italy is not to touch the fruit with your hands.
This is especially important at fairs and street markets.
Normally, the seller will select the best product for you. If you know how to communicate in Italian, you can even order fruits at the exact point of ripeness, such as avocados or mangos.
In larger supermarkets, touching is permitted, but always with plastic gloves provided for this purpose.
Remember, being polite and following these local customs will help you gain the respect of vendors.
4. Get ready to order “al banco"
Often times, the best purchases in Italy happen at the counter (the famous “to the bench”).
Products such as meats, cheeses and sausages are sold directly at the counter, and this is where you will have a brief interaction with the attendant.
This can be a little intimidating at first, as you will need to enter the quantity you want of each product. (usually in grams or kilograms).
However, this is an excellent opportunity to learn more about local products and practice your Italian.
Many counters offer regional specialties, such as Pecorino di Pienza (a sheep's cheese) or the Calabrian Spianata (a spicy salami).
5. Opt for local stores
One of the best ways to enjoy the shopping experience in Italy is by visiting local businesses, like butchers, fishmongers, bakeries and cheese shops.
These smaller establishments offer higher quality products, often from local producers, and may have items that are not available in the larger chains.
Furthermore, the owners of these stores are usually very attentive and, over time, you can build a good relationship with them, which can result in discounts or even exclusive products.
These stores are the heart of the Italian community and can be a great way to get to know the local culture better.
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