- … cordial syrups.
It is true that they sell cordial syrups year-round but Summer is the time you can find such syrups in any supermarket or small corner shops and they come in many flavors: mint, tamarind, cherry, barley water, lemon and you can find them with or without sugar too.
They are very popular in Summer because people use them to flavor water or to make homemade popsicles. It's also very common to drink milk with mint syrup in this season and it is delicious even if it may sound like a strange mix.
- … coffee cream/crema di caffé.
Called this way because it is shaken like a cocktail using a shaker, this drink is ordered only in the Summer. Italians are very traditional when it comes to coffee: no iced lattes or coffee milkshakes will ever be served to you in a café, espresso or macchiato are normally the two safe choices with the occasional caffé corretto which is basically an espresso with a touch of liquor (usually a coffee liquor or a grappa). But, only in Summer, ‘they let loose’ and it is a common practice to order a shaken coffee or a crema di caffé both similar to a frozen cappuccino with the latter slightly denser and creamier.
- … sacred August.
August is the month dedicated to resting. Virtually all offices and factories remain closed in August, if not for the entire month (due to necessity of production), for most of it or for the two central weeks of the month. August comes from Augustus the most popular name for Roman emperors and although the celebrations for this month originally had some religious connotations, these have been long lost to give space to holidays and parties.
It is hard in August even to get a doctor’s appointment or have your car repaired, everybody is off.
- … swimming pools.
Although Italy is a long peninsula with many coastal areas and almost all regions touch the Mediterrenean Sea, many people do not have access to the beach as they live in the hinterland.
Even in Liguria some people live close to the mountains and prefer using the public or private swimming pools available near where they live.
Bathing and sunbathing are a must in Summer and Italians love tanning and trying to get as dark as possible (I’m an exception though).
These swimming pools are outdoors and they offer showers, changing rooms and lifeguard services for a small entrance fee. One can pay an additional fee for beach chairs or a sun bed and for a sun umbrella. These swimming pools normally belong to the municipality and they are managed by private individuals who get a percentage of commission for running the place.
- … late nights snacking.
As I mentioned in my previous post, late nights are common for youngsters and families alike in Summer. People go dancing, eating out, watching shows or films on the beach and they stay out until late. This is the season when pizza restaurants (pizzerie) stay open until 2 in the morning and many food trucks and food stands pop up here and there.
The common street food in Liguria are croquettes made with potato and codfish, focaccias of all kinds, jam filled croissants and both savory and sweet fritters made with just dough and some sugar or salt on top.
It is common in Summer for the forni (laboratories where they make bread and focaccia to sell to shops and cafes) to open up their doors (and windows given the high temperatures) and sell their freshly made baked products throughout the night through their windows.
Summer is magic indeed!
