Italy battles buffalo mozzarella fraud

by Katie Hammel on

There’s a cheese scandal brewing in Italy, and it involves buffalo mozzarella, one of the country’s most famous foods. Served on pizzas and pastas, with antipasti, in salads or just enjoyed by the handful (what? I’m the only person that does that?), the cheese is known for its quality and purity. But it seems that much of the cheese passed off as 100% from buffalo milk actually contains trace amounts of cow’s milk. In some cases, it was even as much as 30%.

So what’s the big deal? I’m not sure I could discern the taste difference between pure buffalo mozz and one with cow’s milk. The problem is that Italy’s authentic buffalo mozzarella is produced under the EU’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) seal, meaning that all products bearing that seal need to be produced using certain ingredients and procedures. According to LeaderPost.com, the concern is not about health issues or taste, but rather ” to protect the “Made in Italy” label.”

It seems the scandal even reaches to the highest levels. The president of the consortium of buffalo mozzarella was also found to have watered down his cheese. He was removed from his post by the Italian Minister for Agriculture and replaced with a temporary leadership group.

Until the problem has been solved, visitors to Italy may (unbeknownst to them) wind up eating cheese that isn’t 100% buffalo milk. Of course, it will probably be just as delicious anyways.

[via NPR]

Foodie travel: One day in Rome

by Melanie Nayer on

With all the smells scenting the streets of Rome, it’s hard to know where to start when you’re hungry. Don’t worry, weary travelers, the best thing about being in Italy is that you can taste everything in one day (as long as you know how to pace yourself).

Nothing wakes you up quite like a coffee from an Italian cafe, and since you’re likely to be a little jetlag from your flight this first cup will be an essential start to your day. Grab a cup of whatever you choose and spend the morning people watching near the Spanish Steps or along the Via Condotti.

After some strolling and sight-seeing, cop-a-squat at any of the cafes in the Piazza Navona and enjoy some much-needed sustenance while you watch the local artists paint in the square. A basic tomato and mozzarella salad with a glass of red wine provides the perfect nourishment. The basket of fresh bread on the table goes great with the olive oil and balsamic from the dish.

Dinner is served late-night in Italy, so you’ll want to snack on something late-afternoon to hold you over while you enjoy cocktail time or late-night sightseeing. Most hotel bars have antipasto options including cheese plates, chips or olives, and they aren’t to be missed.After a long day walking Rome, standing in lines for the top tourist attractions and spending a few Euro on some finer things, you’ll want a little something to tide you over until dinner. Order up a glass of Barolo, dig into the olives and enjoy the start to your evening.

It’s hard not to find a good meal in Rome, but Italians take dinner seriously and you should be prepared for a feast. Don’t miss the zucchini blossoms in the Jewish Quarter or a fresh prosciutto pizza from any of the cafes in the city. If you’re craving pasta, however, you’re obviously in the right place. Sit down and let the waiter be your guide.

Rome restaurants have a way of making guests feel at home. The kitchen is at your service, the antipasto bar is for your perusal and there’s a wine on the list to go with everything that comes to your table. If you’re not sure what to get, just ask – the purpose of the meal is to be together and embrace the flavors of the food, and the people that surround your table.

I couldn’t decide between the pomadoro or the pesto, and so I got a little of both. The moral of the story: You can have it all in Italy, if you just ask.

Just plan less – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

The biggest problem some travelers face is that they’re so worried about The Plan. Always leave time — and room in the wallet — for the unexpected!

Recently on a trip to Italy, a friend of mine booked her entire trip — every tour, meal and destination — many weeks in advance. She felt frenzied and harried the entire time. the trip is a blur to her now.

Alternatively, when I went to Italy, I did just the opposite and made so many friends and memories in the process. There’s something about not knowing where you’ll end up on a vacation that’s exciting.

Gadlinks for Wednesday 12.23.2009

by Brenda Yun on

‘Twas the night before Christmas Eve and all through the house
The children are stirring; you can’t hear the mouse
After some ham or Christmas meat
You’ll all settle in for your winter feast
Take some time to browse the latest reads
From the ever reliable Gadlinks feed.

(I’m not much of a poet, but I try. Enjoy the last few hours of Christmas hype!)

More Gadlinks here.

What ever happened to the missing 22-year-old American teacher in Germany?

by Jamie Rhein on

Reading that Laura Dekker has been found safe and sound in St. Maartin made me think of Devon Hollahan, the American teacher living in Prague who disappeared after a Portugal and the Man concert in Frankfurt, Germany. When his friend’s back was turned, Hollahan went missing.

I wrote about Hollahan in a post about the worst nightmares of parents whose children travel overseas. I’ve been busy these last few weeks, so I forgot about him until I read about Dekker.

Hollahan’s story is not so splashy as Laura Dekker’s. It might be because his family seems like most of us. They appear to be normal, regular people whose lives tend to flow through the days like anyone else’s unless something bad happens on a slow news day. On a slow news day, normal people’s stories can make the international news. Hollahan’s bad news story was a fleeting blip on the media radar. A day or two after he was reported missing, he didn’t show up again in a big news way.

Amanda Knox’s story has had more press time than Hollahan’s. She is the other person of note in my parent’s worst nightmare post. But, when a person is found guilty of murdering her roommate which results in a 27 year jail sentence in Italy, it’s no surprise that we’d hear more about Knox–at least until Tiger Woods’s story eclipsed everyone’s bad news.

What about Hollahan, though? That’s who I want to know about–the guy who could be any one of us. After a search, I found this bit of news in The Huffington Post. Hollahan has not been found, but possibly the shoe found floating in The Main River in Frankfurt belongs to him.

It is thought that Hollahan was drunk and fell into the river. As a sad, devastating part of this tale, it’s possible that he was seen alive at 4 a.m. lying on a sidewalk. Unfortunately, whoever was on the sidewalk, got up and ran away when someone said that an ambulance was coming.

Hollahan’s body has not been found. His parents are still in their nightmare, and I wonder if Hollahan’s body is found, will there be a news story about it? My thoughts go out to his family.