[7 Italian Items That Make Me Who I Am] Staff Favorites Revealed! ~Wine Expert MIHO's Picks~

Ciao! I'm MIHO, the Wine Doctor.

As a foodie, I always think of Italy starting with "Mamma's Kitchen."

The dishcloths hanging casually have incredibly stylish patterns, and the countertops are made of marble. The feeling of excitement when a large plate of pasta is served to the table on ceramica (pottery) with traditional patterns is irreplaceable and brings the utmost happiness.

When I go to Italy, there are so many wonderful kitchenware shops, and I've collected so many items over the years that I've run out of space to store them. Today, I'd like to introduce some of them (just a small part, mind you!).

1. Bialetti Moka

"The morning in an Italian home begins with Caffe' made in this Moka.

The bubbling sound of water boiling and the aroma of coffee spreading throughout the house make me forget even a heavy night of drinking (or rather, heavy wine).

At our house, we add milk to make Caffe' Latte. Bialetti Mokas are so cute that even when they're no longer usable, I can't bring myself to throw them away, so I've collected this many. The one currently in use is a cool black type with 'M' for my husband and me.

Among all the Bialetti Mokas I've had, my absolute favorite is the blue Moka I bought in 2006 when Italy won the World Cup. It played the Italian national anthem when the coffee was ready. Waking up to 'Frattelli d'Italia~♪' every morning back then is a fun memory."

2. Ceramiche Italiane (Italian Ceramics)

"Having worked in the fashion industry for a long time, it's no surprise that I was captivated by the ceramica from various regions of Italy, each with its unique traditional patterns and colors. The pottery I've collected from different places is my treasure.

My house is not a 'Banchō Sarayashiki' (a Japanese ghost story about a plate mansion) but an Italian plate mansion :) I wanted to introduce my plates, but there are too many, so I'll save that for next time. Today, I'm introducing small items.

Italy has many grape varieties, and there are also many regional traditional patterns for ceramica.

Today, I'm introducing patterns from Sicily and Campania. The four-divided plate isn't a traditional pattern, but it's a favorite I bought on Salina, one of the Aeolian Islands in Sicily. Salina is famous for capers, so it has caper flowers and leaves painted on it.

The coffee set, garlic jar, and the plate in the back have traditional patterns from Caltagirone, Sicily. By the way, I painted the plate myself. And the lemon-patterned pottery is from Vietri sul Mare, bought on the island of Ischia in Campania. They're all so cute, and I cherish them."

3. Posate Antiche (Antique Cutlery)

"I simply love antiques.

Some items I found by chance at antique markets, while others I bought at antique shops in Genoa.

Genoa has many antique shops, supposedly because of its history as a maritime republic that prospered through Mediterranean trade and amassed immense wealth.

Nobles and merchants collected furniture, art, silver, and other items from various parts of Europe and the East, which were then passed down through generations.

As an international port where goods from all over the world gathered, Genoa is still known as a city with a wealth of high-quality antiques.

From the right: an oyster fork (which I use as a dessert fork), a spoon, a heart-shaped spoon (not antique, but a favorite from Alessi), a cake server, a fork, a fish knife, and on top, a server."

4. Canovacci carini (Cute Dishcloths)

"Dishcloths don't take up much space when bringing them back, they're light, and they make great souvenirs, so they're a must-check item in kitchenware stores. Of course, you can find many cute ones at souvenir shops in mercatos (markets). These are my favorites. In particular, the dishcloth with the hippo drawing had a cute message, so I bought it immediately.

'Domani inizio la dieta! (Diet starts tomorrow!)' I feel a kinship with this hippo, as I can totally relate ❤"

5. Stoviglie Antiche della nonna (Grandma's Antiques)

"Antique dishes I found in my grandmother's cupboard. My grandmother's father was a sailor who traveled the world and brought back various items. I borrowed these romantic items (with permission, of course. So these weren't self-purchases). Their beauty remains unchanged even after many years. The large platter is my favorite, and I always use it when entertaining guests."

6. Utensili da cucina (Kitchen Utensils)

"If you ask if I use all of them, not really, but I've collected many cute kitchen gadgets. From ravioli molds and corzetti molds (a traditional pasta from around Genoa, characterized by coin-shaped dough embossed with patterns using wooden molds, which once featured aristocratic family crests) to stainless steel items with a retro feel, they instantly change the atmosphere just by being there. Italian items are truly amazing! A famous brand for kitchenware is Alessi.

These two items are memorable pieces I acquired in the late 90s when I first started falling in love with Italy. The one with an egg floating in the air is a salt & pepper shaker. It doesn't hold its contents well at all, so it's mainly for display. And the red one on the right is a cheese grater. This one is easy to use and highly recommended. It seems they still sell it today!"

7. Oggi Pizza

"I found this plate when I was looking for a large dish to serve pizza on, and it was exactly what I wanted.

'Oggi Pizza (Today Pizza)' - no need for further explanation. It was an impulse buy that took less than five seconds to get to the register."

So, today I introduced my beloved Italian kitchenware!

I still have more to show, so the rest will be next time! Ciao!

Text & Photos / Wine Doctor MIHO

Design / Alexander