Portions

by Kim Alba
Every time I buy food and drinks in Italy, I observe the difference in the portions served in Italy and in the U.S. In the U.S., the size of food and drinks served anywhere has grown radically over the decades. I still remember the time before soda came in plastic bottles for a single consumer, when the 12 oz. aluminum can ruled the refrigerator shelves at the convenience stores. Nowadays, we have soda being sold in 24 oz. bottles. The label may say that the contents are for two or three servings, but the American consumer sees this bottle as a “super sized” serving for ONE person. In Italy, the plastic bottle is smaller. Soda is also sold in a much thinner aluminum can. At restaurants, the only item I’ve seen served in a large portion is the pizza. But the pizza has a thin, crispy crust and isn’t loaded down with cheese. Everything else looks small on the plate — at least to my American eyes. The one time I ordered dessert after a dinner of grilled lamb and mixed salad at Osterio Sant’Angelo in Cagli, the warm, dense chocolate cake was smaller than my fist — and as a short person, I have petite hands.

Despite what looks to be smaller portions of food and drinks, I end up fully satisfied.