Umbria is renowned for its food including treasured black truffles, the very highest quality olive oils, unique cheeses, and of course the pastas.
Typical Umbrian dishes include Strangozzi al Tartufo, Umbricelli in Salsa di Trasimeno, Pappardelle alla Lepre, Gnocchi con Tartufii, Cappelletti, Tortciglione, Piccione Arrosto, the famous Potato of Pietralunga, Maialino in Porchetta, and the famed Porchetta (roast suckling pig). Truffles, both white and black, play an important part in many of Umbrian dishes including appetizers, pastas, risottos, cheeses, and cured meats.
Umbria’s vegetables and cereal crops have earned the prestigious DOP quality denomination label. In addition to local farm-raised meats, many restaurants serve dishes which include wild game meat from wild boar, pigeon, pheasant, duck, and wild hare.
Umbrian cheeses are produced from both cow and sheep milk and include ricotta, caciotta, raviglio, and pecorino. A variety of delicious truffle flavoured cheeses are also available.
Umbria is famous for its oven baked desserts traditionally containing almonds or hazel nuts, honey, spices, and candied fruit. These include Torciglione, Baci di San Fransesco, Biscottini delle Monache, Ciaramicola, and Rocciata di Assisi.
Perugia is home to the internationally renowned Baci,chocolate, made from ground hazel nuts and dark chocolate. A museum is devoted to the history of the production of this unique chocolate, and each year Perugia holds Eurochocolate, an international chocolate fair attended by chocoholics from around the world.
Production of wine in Umbria can be traced back thousands of years. In recent years Sangrantino di Montefalco, a super red wine, has gained in popularity against the historically favoured white wines, including Cervara produced from the grechetto grapes found in the Orvieto area. Other recommended wines include Monte Falco Rosso, Torgiana Rosso Riserva, Orvieto (a great alternative to Chardonnay or Pinot Gris/Grigio), Colli Martani (both white and red), Lago di Corbara Pino Nero, and the sweet Muffato.
