Il Tempo delle Mele

Ask what region has the best food in Italy and you're bound to hear some profound disagreements- after all, we're talking about the gastronomic center of the universe- but we'd be willing to bet that Emilia-Romagna comes up more often than most. The northern region that contains Bologna, Modena, and Parma is certainly a culinary powerhouse, one that Parma native Hilde Soliani has visited in her work before, but with Il Tempo delle Melle, her ode to Emilia-born chef Igles Corelli, Soliani opts for a simple, mouthwatering local delicacy- the torta di mele ferrarrese, a basic but luscious apple cake enjoyed by everyone from kids to grandparents.

But as Hilde's to-die-for gourmands have always taught us, simple doesn't have to mean boring, and Il Tempo, with its vibrant, juicy tart apple, creamy vanilla, and warm, mouthwateringly lactic milk note that emerges more and more as the fragrance dries. While we weren't lucky enough to grow up in Emilia-Romagna, this scent nevertheless has a Proustian nostalgia to it, evoking images of warm family gatherings overlooking the Adriatic. Just this once, you're allowed to skip dinner and go straight to dessert.