Picanti

Picanti is an Italian term most often encountered in culinary contexts. It derives from picante, an adjective meaning spicy or hot, and is used to describe flavors that include peppers, chili, or other heat-inducing ingredients. In Italian grammar the form piccanti is the plural of picante when referring to multiple spicy items, and the capitalized form Picanti can appear as a proper noun in other uses.

In cuisine, piccanti describes dishes that are intended to be spicy. Menu labels such as salsa piccante, pasta al pomodoro piccante, or piatti piccanti signal a higher level of heat. The term is widely used in Italian cooking and in international menus to convey spiciness, with regional variations ranging from moderate to very bold heat levels.

Beyond food, Picanti can function as a surname in Italy and among Italian-speaking communities. As a family name it may appear in historical records, professional contexts, or personal identifications. The term is also employed in branding, appearing in names of culinary products, restaurants, or gourmet goods to evoke heat or an Italian culinary identity.

See also: Picante, piccante, spicy food, salsa picante. Notes on usage vary by region and language, but picanti generally signals heat or spiciness in a food-related context and can also serve as a surname or brand name.