Piccante

Piccante is an Italian adjective meaning spicy or pungent. In cooking, it is used to describe foods that have a noticeable heat or sharp flavor, typically produced by chili peppers or other aromatics. On menus, piccante may indicate a level of heat and aromatic intensity rather than a specific measurement, and the intensity can vary by cook, region, or product.

Etymology: from Latin picans and picantis via Italian piccante, relating to a biting or stabbing sensation. The term has been borrowed into other languages, and in English-speaking markets it is commonly used on product labels and menus to signal spiciness.

Culinary usage: In Italian cuisine, piccante flavors appear in dishes described as piccante, such as sauces, meats, and pasta preparations that feature hot peppers, black pepper, or pungent cheeses. In many Spanish- and Portuguese-influenced cuisines, similar terms convey heat as well, though the exact peppers and preparations differ by tradition.

Global usage and examples: Outside Italy, piccante is widely seen in the naming of hot sauces and salsas, for example salsa picante. In the United States, a familiar product line is Pace Picante Sauce, a brand of chili-based salsa. The term is also used in markets for cheeses labeled piccante, such as pecorino piccante, which denotes a sharper, more piquant cheese.