Blue Monday? No, Blue Gusto! 10 Italian treats to enjoy!

The Blue Monday, the saddest Monday of the year, falls on the third Monday of January. Born from a marketing operation based on a pseudo-scientific equation, it is the day when factors such as winter weather, holiday spending, and lack of motivation combine. But don’t worry!

Italy has the perfect remedy: good food

We have gathered 10 typical Italian products that transform Blue Monday into a day of pure pleasure. For each of the selected items, there is a scientific basis (as can be the case for chocolate and its chemical properties), tradition, history, and pride in our tricolor. By bringing to the table or tasting one or more of the delicacies suggested, even this sad Monday will pass, we bet?

1. Dark chocolate

There’s no sadness that a good bar of dark chocolate can’t cure. Thanks to its flavonoids, it improves mood and helps fight stress. A bite of Aroko or Domori chocolate, made with high-quality ingredients, is a treat that warms the heart.

2. Calabrian nduja

Who said Blue Monday has to be cold and tasteless? A teaspoon of nduja spread on a slice of warm bread is the perfect way to ignite the fire of enthusiasm. Its spicy taste releases endorphins and awakens the senses (if you don't know what nduja is, we’ll tell you here).

3. Parmigiano Reggiano DOP

A classic of Italian comfort food. A piece of Parmigiano Reggiano is a source of tryptophan, an amino acid that helps produce serotonin, the happiness hormone. Perfect to enjoy on its own or grated over steaming pasta. Learn more about Parmigiano Reggiano

4. Traditional polenta

Creamy, enveloping, and incredibly versatile. Polenta is one of the most loved winter dishes, perfect for warming the heart on a gray day. With a touch of melted cheese or a rich ragù, it’s pure culinary poetry.

5. Artisanal grappa

After a tough day, what could be better than a shot of grappa to relax? This all-Italian spirit, especially if coming from quality vineyards like Marcati or Zu Plun, is a true remedy against cold and bad mood.

6. Gragnano IGP pasta

Carbohydrates are the best friends of happiness. A plate of Gragnano pasta, perhaps dressed with a homemade tomato sauce or a flavorful ragù, is the perfect remedy to fight melancholy. Its texture and authentic flavor make every forkful a moment of pure delight.

7. Aged Caciocavallo cheese

Cheeses are a hug for the soul, and Caciocavallo is an explosion of flavor. Perfect melted on a slice of homemade bread or enjoyed with fig jam, this cheese provides immediate satisfaction.

8. Black truffle

A touch of luxury for a special Monday. A plate of tagliatelle with truffle or a sunny side up egg enriched with some shavings of black truffle turns a simple meal into a gourmet experience.

9. Citrus marmalade

Citrus fruits are a true elixir of energy thanks to vitamin C. A slice of bread with orange marmalade or lemon is a perfect breakfast to start the day on the right foot.

10. Artisanal panettone (even out of season)

Who says panettone is only for Christmas? An artisanal panettone, perhaps from Pasticceria Scarpato, with its soft dough and aromatic candied fruit, is the sweet treat needed to forget Blue Monday.