Silvia Marchetti
Silvia Marchetti is a Rome-based freelance reporter. She covers finance, economics, travel and culture for a wide range of international media. Silvia has a master degree in journalism and has lived abroad most of her life in Switzerland, Russia, Holland and Indonesia. She’s fluent in four languages.
Show more
Latest from Silvia Marchetti
Sharing snacks is a tradition around the world, from tapas in Spain to dim sum in China and meze in the Middle East and North Africa. According to anthropologists, it is an important bonding experience for humans.
Sharing snacks is a tradition around the world, from tapas in Spain to dim sum in China and meze in the Middle East and North Africa. According to anthropologists, it is an important bonding experience for humans.
Spanish paella, with the staple ingredient of rice giving it inherent Asian origins, is today a popular dish around the world. It has a colourful history.
Spanish paella, with the staple ingredient of rice giving it inherent Asian origins, is today a popular dish around the world. It has a colourful history.
Curry puffs may have been named by the British, but centuries earlier, Portuguese traders introduced the empada – a kind of pie – to Southeast Asia. Now, most countries in the region have their own variation of the popular snack.
Curry puffs may have been named by the British, but centuries earlier, Portuguese traders introduced the empada – a kind of pie – to Southeast Asia. Now, most countries in the region have their own variation of the popular snack.
Dishes such as adobo, ingredients such as beef, and cooking techniques such as baking entered the Filipino kitchen from Spain and its New World colonies and were adapted to local tastes during hundreds of years of Spanish rule.
Dishes such as adobo, ingredients such as beef, and cooking techniques such as baking entered the Filipino kitchen from Spain and its New World colonies and were adapted to local tastes during hundreds of years of Spanish rule.
A hybrid feast of Indonesian dishes, rijsttafel, or rice table, was inspired by a tradition of indigenous communal eating that Dutch colonists turned into a social phenomenon.
A hybrid feast of Indonesian dishes, rijsttafel, or rice table, was inspired by a tradition of indigenous communal eating that Dutch colonists turned into a social phenomenon.
Frequently used for toasts in Britain, Italy and France, the phrase ‘chin-chin’ has Chinese origins and was imported to Europe after the Renaissance period.
Frequently used for toasts in Britain, Italy and France, the phrase ‘chin-chin’ has Chinese origins and was imported to Europe after the Renaissance period.
Pizza makers from Naples, home of the original pizza, have travelled the world, opening schools and training locals to make authentic Neapolitan pizza. Some of these chefs have since opened their own pizzerias in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
Pizza makers from Naples, home of the original pizza, have travelled the world, opening schools and training locals to make authentic Neapolitan pizza. Some of these chefs have since opened their own pizzerias in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
Jill Biden is on track to become the first Italian-American first lady, and the village in Sicily her great-grandfather left for the United States plans to use the connection to boost tourism and help recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jill Biden is on track to become the first Italian-American first lady, and the village in Sicily her great-grandfather left for the United States plans to use the connection to boost tourism and help recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
First planted in the volcanic soils of Sicily by the ancient Romans, who brought seeds from the Middle East, the Italian island’s pistachio orchards produce the finest variety of the ‘smiling nut’. Now Sicilian pistachios have new fans in China.
First planted in the volcanic soils of Sicily by the ancient Romans, who brought seeds from the Middle East, the Italian island’s pistachio orchards produce the finest variety of the ‘smiling nut’. Now Sicilian pistachios have new fans in China.
Drinks flavoured with anise were used as medicines for thousands of years, before distillers turned them into aperitifs and digestifs such as raki and pastis, popular around the Mediterranean.
Drinks flavoured with anise were used as medicines for thousands of years, before distillers turned them into aperitifs and digestifs such as raki and pastis, popular around the Mediterranean.
Ask someone to name an Italian rice variety and, if they answer at all, they will probably say Arborio or Carnaroli. But these are just two among the 200 varieties grown in the rice paddies of Piedmont and Lombardy near Milan.
Ask someone to name an Italian rice variety and, if they answer at all, they will probably say Arborio or Carnaroli. But these are just two among the 200 varieties grown in the rice paddies of Piedmont and Lombardy near Milan.
Both Asian and Western culinary cultures feature blood recipes deeply rooted in local traditions, with many foods and dishes seen as gourmet delicacies or sought-after for supposed medicinal purposes.
Both Asian and Western culinary cultures feature blood recipes deeply rooted in local traditions, with many foods and dishes seen as gourmet delicacies or sought-after for supposed medicinal purposes.
Nuoc mam in Vietnam, nam pla in Thailand, patis in Philippines – Southeast Asian fish sauces bear a startling similarity to garum, prized by ancient Romans. Could their fish sauce have travelled along the ancient Silk Road?
Nuoc mam in Vietnam, nam pla in Thailand, patis in Philippines – Southeast Asian fish sauces bear a startling similarity to garum, prized by ancient Romans. Could their fish sauce have travelled along the ancient Silk Road?
Ice cream can be traced back to 1200BC and Mesopotamia, and early versions were invented all over the world; the turning point came during the Renaissance when the modern gelato emerged.
Ice cream can be traced back to 1200BC and Mesopotamia, and early versions were invented all over the world; the turning point came during the Renaissance when the modern gelato emerged.
Live the Robinson Crusoe lifestyle with all the mod cons on one of these beautiful islands where social distancing is not an issue
Live the Robinson Crusoe lifestyle with all the mod cons on one of these beautiful islands where social distancing is not an issue
It may have a German city in its French name, but eau de cologne was made by an Italian man – and it was originally sold as a medicinal drink, not as a type of perfume. A museum dedicated to its true origins has opened in Italy.
It may have a German city in its French name, but eau de cologne was made by an Italian man – and it was originally sold as a medicinal drink, not as a type of perfume. A museum dedicated to its true origins has opened in Italy.
You won’t find beaches or tropical weather, but instead views of mountains, and wild birds for neighbours, if you buy a private island in Europe. From the lakes of Finland to the seas off Greece, privacy can be yours.
You won’t find beaches or tropical weather, but instead views of mountains, and wild birds for neighbours, if you buy a private island in Europe. From the lakes of Finland to the seas off Greece, privacy can be yours.
Pasta was eaten in the Mediterranean region many centuries before Marco Polo was born, and China wasn’t the influence people think, say food historians. Ancient texts and artefacts from Pompeii bolster their argument.
Pasta was eaten in the Mediterranean region many centuries before Marco Polo was born, and China wasn’t the influence people think, say food historians. Ancient texts and artefacts from Pompeii bolster their argument.
Social distancing and staying at home are easy for a man who lives alone, as the sole resident of an abandoned village in the Lombardy Alps. His advice to those in coronavirus lockdown: use the time to meditate on what really matters in life.
Social distancing and staying at home are easy for a man who lives alone, as the sole resident of an abandoned village in the Lombardy Alps. His advice to those in coronavirus lockdown: use the time to meditate on what really matters in life.
Spring is the season of ‘rebirth’, the egg represents life itself, but did you know there is a kinky side to the Easter bunny?
Spring is the season of ‘rebirth’, the egg represents life itself, but did you know there is a kinky side to the Easter bunny?
Covid-19 has put the breaks on this year’s celebrations – but there’s more to Easter than bunnies and chocolate; many cultures cling to timeworn traditions that are often baffling to outsiders
Covid-19 has put the breaks on this year’s celebrations – but there’s more to Easter than bunnies and chocolate; many cultures cling to timeworn traditions that are often baffling to outsiders
When an Italian thinks about coffee, it’s jet black – but things are changing, and non-Italian, American-style speciality coffee drinks are taking hold
When an Italian thinks about coffee, it’s jet black – but things are changing, and non-Italian, American-style speciality coffee drinks are taking hold
A family favourite in the UK and US – but don’t expect to find this cheesy, gooey dish on the menu in Italy
A family favourite in the UK and US – but don’t expect to find this cheesy, gooey dish on the menu in Italy
Mostly grown in one of Italy’s poorest regions, bergamot is prized for the oil it produces that has long been used in perfumes and tea. Now its popularity is soaring – especially in Asia – thanks to a growing use in things like food and juices.
Mostly grown in one of Italy’s poorest regions, bergamot is prized for the oil it produces that has long been used in perfumes and tea. Now its popularity is soaring – especially in Asia – thanks to a growing use in things like food and juices.
The traditional Neapolitan dish began as a poor man’s meal but evolved into Italy’s beloved comfort food – but the staple ingredients were chosen for more than taste alone
The traditional Neapolitan dish began as a poor man’s meal but evolved into Italy’s beloved comfort food – but the staple ingredients were chosen for more than taste alone
Why would anyone combine cheese with chocolate spread – and more importantly, how does it taste?
Why would anyone combine cheese with chocolate spread – and more importantly, how does it taste?
Piedmont’s bagna càuda hot garlic soup is said to have been invented by a witch to ward off infertility and increase reproduction – but why should it be consumed via unconventional orifices?
Piedmont’s bagna càuda hot garlic soup is said to have been invented by a witch to ward off infertility and increase reproduction – but why should it be consumed via unconventional orifices?
Icelandic people eat rotten shark known as hákarl while Colombians feast on roasted leafcutter ants – all because of the apparent libido-boosting effects
Icelandic people eat rotten shark known as hákarl while Colombians feast on roasted leafcutter ants – all because of the apparent libido-boosting effects
More Chinese millennials are choosing Italy for their destination weddings, with the average celebration costing over US$90,000. We talk to the planners who do everything they can to put together the perfect event.
More Chinese millennials are choosing Italy for their destination weddings, with the average celebration costing over US$90,000. We talk to the planners who do everything they can to put together the perfect event.
Carnival in Venice, Italy, is often linked to funny and terrifying masks, along with pageantry, allegorical wagons, dancers and extravagant costumes
Carnival in Venice, Italy, is often linked to funny and terrifying masks, along with pageantry, allegorical wagons, dancers and extravagant costumes
RELATED TAGS