Italian cuisine.

Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots dating back to the fourth century BC. Italian cuisine has been influenced by the same kitchen Etruscan, ancient Greece, ancient Rome, Byzantine, Jewish and Arab. Important changes were had with the discovery of the New World and the introduction of new ingredients such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and corn, now fundamental in the kitchen but were introduced in quantity until the eighteenth century. The Italian cuisine is known for its diversity at the regional level, abundance in taste and seasoning, it is also considered one of the most famous in the world, with international influences.
The main feature of Italian cuisine is its extreme simplicity, with many dishes consist of 4 to 8 ingredients. Italian cooks rely on the quality of the ingredients rather than the complexity of preparation. Dishes and recipes are often created from grandmothers were more than a chef, so most recipes are suitable for cooking. Many dishes that were once known only in the region, have spread across the nation. Cheese and wine are an important part of the cuisine, with many variations and specific legal protection, the Denomination of Origin (DOC). Even the coffee, especially espresso, has become important in the kitchen.