Italy is a country with special traditions of coffee consumption. They love it here and know how to cook it really tasty. When planning a trip, it is better to find out in advance where and how they drink coffee in Italy in order to rediscover the enchanting aroma of the invigorating drink.
The Birth of Italian Coffee Culture
Surprisingly, coffee did not immediately become popular in Italy. It was first brought to Venice from Istanbul in the 16th century and received an extremely negative response from the church. It was considered a diabolical invention for several reasons.
The clergy were confused by the origin of the drink from Muslim countries, as well as the powerful stimulating effect it has on the human body. All this was considered as evidence of the tricks of Satan.
Only after the magical drink was tried and approved by Pope Clement VIII, coffee in Italy began to gain incredible popularity. In 1640, the first coffee shop was opened in Venice (now it is called “Florian”), and by 1768 there were already 218 of them. For comparison, in England the first such establishment appeared in 1652, and in Vienna only in 1683 .
The Italians loved coffee so much that for a long time they tried to create a machine for making espresso of a new type. The patent for the first improved coffee machine, in which steam under pressure was transferred to ground coffee beans, was received by Milanese Luigi Bezzera in 1901.
Coffee drinks in Italy
Real Italian coffee is prepared in several varieties, which differ in the degree of strength, as well as individual components. When traveling through the cities of Italy, you should definitely try:
- caffè – regular espresso served in tiny cups;
- cappuccino – consists of 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk and 1/3 delicate foam;
- macchiato – espresso, to which a drop of milk is added to obtain a more delicate taste;
- caffè lungo – “long” espresso with double the amount of water;
- espresso romano – strong espresso with lemon juice, served in a heated cup;
- caffè latte – coffee with milk in a 1:1 ratio;
- latte macchiato – prepared from steamed hot milk with the addition of a small portion of espresso;
- Ristretto – very strong coffee with a small amount of water, literally “just a sip.”
The word latte means “milk” in Italian. To avoid getting a regular glass of milk at the bar instead of a cup of the desired coffee drink, you need to specify caffè latte or latte macchiato when ordering.
Italian traditions: what tourists need to know
Italians drink coffee many times a day, but in small portions. They often run into the bar for a cup of espresso. Interestingly, the time of day directly determines what kind of coffee they drink in Italy.
For example, coffee with milk is only served until 11 am. This rule is strictly observed. According to Italians, milk after eating causes indigestion. A tourist who orders a cappuccino or latte in the second half of the day will have it prepared, but will be surprised at the strange choice.
Also, in Italy it is not customary to sit in a cafe over a cup of coffee. They drink at the bar without staying long. Seats at a table can be 2 times more expensive. And Italians don’t drink espresso that’s too hot. It is served at a certain temperature so as not to burn yourself.
The word espresso is not pronounced in Italy; it is simply replaced by caffe. Espresso is the basis of all Italian coffee drinks. Everything else is just its variations.
Italian stamps
A large number of famous coffee brands are concentrated in the country. Therefore, tourists often ask whether coffee grows in Italy. Despite the fact that the country occupies a leading position in its production, the local climate is not suitable for cultivation.
Italian manufacturers have developed unique technologies for roasting coffee beans, which are rightfully considered the best in the world. They have perfectly mastered the blending technique, skillfully combining grains of different varieties, amazingly achieving a drink that is balanced in taste and aroma.
Let’s look at the most famous coffee brands in Italy, and it’s up to you to decide which one is better to buy.
Illy coffee
This is a family business, founded by Francesco Illi. In 1933, he opened a company that roasted beans. The following year, the company patented packaging for coffee using inert gas, which preserved the unique coffee aroma.
Today Illy is a leading Italian coffee brand. Arabica beans are supplied from Ethiopia, India, Brazil, and Colombia. Illy products are distinguished by floral and fruity notes in taste and a chocolate aroma that literally drives you crazy even when you open the package.
In Italian stores, Illy can cost around 5.3 € (Illy Moka Tostatura Media, 200 g can) or 7.20 € (Illy Espresso Tostatura Media, 250 g can).
Lavazza
One of the largest Italian coffee companies. Its founder is Luigi Lavazza. The company produces many different types of coffee, which differ in the different ratios of two main components: Arabica and Robusta. They produce both coffee beans and ground coffee.
All types differ in taste and aroma, from floral-spicy to chocolate taste with bitterness. Among the many Lavazzas, everyone will find a drink to their liking. And Italians often buy: Lavazza Qualità Rossa Grani (pack of 1000 g – 14.50-15 €) and Lavazza Crema e Gusto Classico (pack of 250 g – 3 €).
Pellini
An advanced plant in Verona for processing coffee beans, winner of many certificates and awards at the international level. Pellini coffee is an absolutely pure Italian product, without the use of impurities or flavorings.
Pellini Top 100% Arabica enjoys constant love among customers. It has a multi-faceted taste with notes of flowers, fruits, honey and chocolate. The cost of a 250 g can in Italian supermarkets is 5.78-6 €.
Kimbo
Starting from a small factory opened in the middle of the last century, Kimbo has become the second largest producer of packaged coffee. Various types of roasting of beans in the best Italian traditions and the skill of blending allow us to create drinks with a rich taste and deep aroma of different shades – from fruity citrus to wine notes.
When choosing what kind of coffee to bring from Italy, pay attention to ground Kimbo Espresso Napoletano, the cost of a 250 g package is about 4 €.
Molinari
The company began its activities by selling wine , spices and delicacies. At the beginning of the 20th century, they opened a coffee shop, after which they decided to focus specifically on the coffee business. Today the brand produces a huge line of natural Italian coffee – beans, ground, and in capsules.
One of the company’s new blends, which is based on advanced developments in roasting coffee beans, is The Molinari Platino Roasted Coffee. An exquisite gourmet drink with low acidity, rich aroma and velvety consistency.
TOP 5 best coffee shops in Rome
To visit Rome and not try real Italian coffee means to learn nothing about Italy. Italians spend quite a lot of time in coffee shops, which are called bars here. The best coffee in Rome can be had in places like these.
Antico Caffè Greco (Via dei Condotti, 86)
An excellent choice for those who want to touch Italian history. Just think, famous poets, philosophers, and composers gathered in this cafe for intellectual conversations! Hans Christian Andersen, Mark Twain, and Wilhelm Richard Wagner visited him when they were in Rome.
The atmosphere of Antico Caffè Greco is a world of Old World luxury with gilded decorations, marble tables, works of art on the walls. Prices here are quite high. A cup of espresso drunk at a table in this cafe will cost 7 €. Not cheap, but the pleasure is worth it.
Sant Eustachio Il Caffe (Piazza di San Eustachio, 82)
The cafe is located in the very center of Rome, not far from the Pantheon. Coffee is brewed here according to a special recipe, which is kept in the strictest confidence. Regular espresso at Sant Eustachio Il Caffe has a completely unimaginable aroma, a special thick foam and a dark chocolate aftertaste. Be sure to also try Caffè d’Elite – 3.9 € and the signature Gran Caffè – 5.4 €.
The cafe has a store where you can buy beans or ground coffee to treat yourself to the unique taste of the drink at home. A 250 g can of one of the branded coffee beans costs 7.9 €, in soft packaging – 6.3 €.
‘Angelo – Gastronomia Caffe (Venti Settembre, 25)
Best place in Rome for an inexpensive Italian breakfast . Amazingly delicious fresh pastries and cappuccino costing only 1.2 € will not leave anyone indifferent. A typical Italian atmosphere and a smiling bartender will help you feel the real spirit of Italy.
Tazza D’Oro (Via Marche, 52)
Tazza D’Oro is the name of a coffee shop in Italy, which is associated with a black beauty who sows coffee beans around the world. This is the logo that greets visitors at the entrance to the cafe. There is an exceptionally delicious latte – 1.1 €, cappuccino – 2.2 € and espresso for 0.9 €.
You can also buy branded coffee with the cafe’s logo to take with you: a 250 g package costs 10.87 €, 1 kg – 43.45 €, a 250 g can – 13.17 €.
Sciascia Caffe (Via Fabio Massimo, 80/A)
This place is recommended by locals. There are few tourists here, a quiet, calm environment. The delicate smell of freshly baked croissants and the invigorating aroma of coffee makes you feel dizzy already on the threshold of the cafe. You will be served a cappuccino, masterfully decorated with a design of foam, at a price of 1.3 € per cup. I want to come back here again and again!
Italy and coffee are inseparable concepts; people here truly know how to infect people with their love for this drink. And once you try real Italian coffee, you will certainly become a fan.