I was recently at an event in New York City and where Acqua Panna was being served.  I had some but I’m not a big fan of Acqua Panna… there’s something about Acqua Panna that doesn’t quench my thirst!  Evian has a similar affect for me.  I think it’s too “soft.”  Does anyone else feel that way?

Italians drink LOTS of bottled water. In fact, they have one of the highest consumption rates of bottled water per person in the world.. if not THE highest.

So what’s your favorite Italian bottled water?  Naturale?  Frizzante? I’m a big fan of “Ferrarelle” (leggermente or slightly frizzante) and “Futura” from a spring around the corner from my nonni’s house in Calabria. My father on the other hand, has managed to find a natural spring in the mountains of Western Massachusetts where he gets his… like a good Calabrese!!

There’s always talk about what Americans miss most about living abroad. There’s the usual items like peanut butter, diet coke (not coca-cola light), Dr. Pepper (don’t know how anyone can drink that stuff) and other American favorites but how about when you move back to the States and can’t find some of those Italian specialties?? I was thinking about some of those favorites today and came up with a short list beyond the espresso and Italian cuisine.

I miss Brasilena coffee flavored soda – YUM! It’s more of a Calabrian favorite as I have never found it outside of Calabria. If you get a chance…. try it! I have had other coffee flavored soda but none can even come close to Brasilena. I’m sure Michelle at Bleeding Espresso and Cherrye at My Bella Vita know exactly what I’m talking about.

I miss Sanbitter… although my sister carries it at her bakery, so I get to have it occasionally.

I miss Ferrarelle sparkling water. It’s very unique, sort of a “soft sparkling”

I miss a bartender that can make a good “Americano” not the coffee but the cocktail. It’s 1 part Campari, 1 part sweet vermouth with a splash of soda and an orange slice. My favorite! add gin and you get a Negroni.

All drinks? No, no.

I miss mozzarella di bufala, I mean good mozzarella di bufala…. to me, if it’s not mozzarella di bufala…. it’s just not mozzarella. If you’ve never tried it…. run as fast as you can and get some…. seriously, what are you waiting for?

We had 2 Italians in our office when I was working in Bologna: 1 was from Caserta and the other from Battipaglia. These cities are both right outside of Napoli and are famous for their Mozzarella di bufala. They often argued about where the best bufala came from. All I cared about was that they brought it back to Bologna when they went home to visit. We have found some bufala at Costco here in the US. It’s pretty good (not Caserta or Battipaglia good… but pretty good.)

What favorites are you missing from Italy?

PS- If you’re in Italy and live near a US military base: Make friends with someone in the military:) They have full blown American Grocery Stores! Here’s a picture of my friend Anthony in the Grocery store on the Navel base in Napoli. We found lots of favorites including Doritoes, Sam Adams, Diet Coke and canned pumpkin for making pumpkin pie! They also had plenty of your favorite peanut butter brands and Dr. Pepper.