What do PDO and PGI actually mean on Italian food labels? Why should you care?

In this episode, I break down the difference between PDO (DOP in Italian) and PGI (IGP in Italian). Discover how these European certifications protect geographical origin, production methods, traceability, and the connection between authentic Italian food and its territory.

Mentioned in this episode:

Listen Vivace

follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/

Vivace Media Network

Listen Vivace

follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/

Vivace Media Network

What connects us to a place generations after our families have left? Often times, the answer is food.

In this episode, I sit down with the founders of CulturaPaths to explore the powerful connection between food, identity, and Italian heritage. We discuss why recipes and food traditions can survive across generations, the growing interest in roots tourism, and why so many Italian Americans are searching for a deeper connection to the towns and traditions of their ancestors.

Visit the CulturaPaths website, and follow them on Instagram and Facebook!

Mentioned in this episode:

Listen Vivace

follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/

Vivace Media Network

Listen Vivace

follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/

Vivace Media Network

When summer temperatures rise in Italy, many locals opt for something a little colder.

In this episode, discover three refreshing Italian coffee specialties: caffè freddo, crema di caffè, and Sicily’s iconic granita di caffè con panna. Learn what they are, where they come from, and why they offer a completely different coffee experience than the iced coffees many visitors are used to.

Mentioned in this episode:

Listen Vivace

follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/

Vivace Media Network

Listen Vivace

follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/

Vivace Media Network

In this episode, we explore one of the most common misconceptions in the world of Italian food. What is the difference between Parmesan and Parmigiano Reggiano? Why is one protected and the other not?

Mentioned in this episode:

Listen Vivace

follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/

Vivace Media Network

Listen Vivace

follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/

Vivace Media Network

Have you ever noticed tiny white spots on Parmigiano Reggiano and wondered what they are?

In this episode, we explore the science behind these natural crystals, how they form during aging, and why many cheese lovers consider them a sign of quality. We also look at other Italian cheeses where these crystals appear and what they reveal about traditional cheesemaking, patience, and time.

Mentioned in this episode:

Listen Vivace

follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/

Vivace Media Network

Listen Vivace

follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/

Vivace Media Network

Why is the Red Onion of Tropea so sweet compared to other onions?

In this episode, we explore the history, terroir, and cultural significance of one of Calabria’s most iconic ingredients: the Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria IGP. From the coastal climate and mineral-rich soils that shape its flavor to the many ways it’s enjoyed in southern Italian cuisine, discover why this humble onion has become a symbol of regional identity and pride.

Mentioned in this episode:

Listen Vivace

follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/

Vivace Media Network

Listen Vivace

follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/

Vivace Media Network

What if you could "hear" a pasta before you taste it?

In this episode, we explore pasta alla chitarra, a traditional dish from Abruzzo made using a unique tool (chitarra = guitar) that cuts pasta with thin metal wires—creating both its signature shape and sound.

From its 19th-century origins to its role in everyday life, discover how this simple pasta reflects the deeper connection between food, tradition, and place in Italian cuisine.

Making (and of course eating) pasta alla chitarra will part of my trip to Abruzzo and Molise in July 2026! Click here if you want more info!

Mentioned in this episode:

Listen Vivace

follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/

Vivace Media Network

Listen Vivace

follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/

Vivace Media Network

Want to join?

This is a side of Italy most people never get to experience!

Where: Abruzzo and Molise, Italy

When: July 19–28, 2026

Who: Small group (max 10 people)

Click here for trip details and booking!

Below are just a few highlights of this tour. There is much more!! Message me for more information!

I’m taking a small group to Abruzzo and Molise — regions where traditions are still alive and deeply connected to food, culture, and community.

We’ll step inside the world’s oldest bell foundry, learn how local cheeses are made, and cook together inside a real Italian home.

We’ll dine above the sea on a historic trabocco, explore villages that feel frozen in time, and experience the landscapes that make this part of Italy so unique.

Mentioned in this episode:

Listen Vivace

follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/

Vivace Media Network

Listen Vivace

follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/

Vivace Media Network