Un caffè per favore: coffee in Italy
Have you ever wondered why so many people associate coffee with Italy, even though its origins are attributed to Ethiopia? The reason is simple: the Italians were the first to master the art of making espresso, turning it into one of their country's symbols. Want to learn more about coffee in Italy, local coffee customs and the different Italian coffees? Let us begin!
What does the time of day have to do with ordering coffee in Italy?
Sunny Italy has many kinds of coffee. Italians start their day with either cappuccino or latte macchiato. The custom is to drink these coffees no later than 11 am, then switch to something else. What should you choose? Above all, espresso, but also doppio, caffè macchiato, caffè ristretto, caffè corretto, caffè romano or caffè americano, among others. There are more options, of course, but the important point is not to memorise which coffee belongs to each hour. It is to understand that Italians generally do not approve of milk coffees in the afternoon. The exception is caffè macchiato, which contains only a very small amount of milk.
What does Italian roast coffee mean?
Italian roast coffee refers to a very dark roasting style, the darkest degree of roast. You can recognise it by the deep brown beans, which may look almost black. Their surfaces are oily, coated in the natural fats within the coffee beans. These oils are largely associated with the flavour and aroma that distinguish the finished cup. A well-roasted Italian coffee generally has a pronounced chocolate-and-nut flavour.
Unfortunately, the darkest roast favoured by Italian roasteries is not without drawbacks. Italian roasting can replace valuable origin flavours with flavours created by heat treatment. If the process is carried out poorly, often because production is on a mass scale, the resulting coffee will be poor. You can detect it in both taste and aroma: the coffee seems bitter and burnt — in a word, unpleasant.
Another drawback of very dark roasting is that it becomes almost impossible to tell if the beans are old or of low quality.
Italian coffee customs you should know
Espresso
Let us start with espresso, enjoyed in huge quantities in Italy. In many cafés and restaurants, you will receive a small glass of water with it. What is it for, and should you drink it before or after your coffee? The water cleanses your palate, preparing your taste buds to enjoy the espresso itself. To avoid a faux pas, take a sip of water before your first sip of espresso.
Interestingly, espresso in Italy is usually enjoyed standing at the counter, al banco. You can sit at a table, al tavolo, of course, but check whether the privilege comes with an additional charge.
Caffè latte
In Italy, the shortened name for this coffee is not simply latte, as it is elsewhere. To Italians, latte means milk! If you want a caffè latte — espresso with more milk than a cappuccino and a little milk foam — or a latte macchiato, with espresso and almost a glass of frothed milk, use the full name. That is the safest approach.
The moka pot
The moka pot, also known as a caffettiera or macchinetta, can be found in every true Italian home. As we know, Italians love coffee not just on special occasions but every day. Making a small black coffee in an Italian moka pot lets you serve family or guests a wonderful drink, every bit as good as the coffee in many local bars or cafés.
Our online shop offers Italian moka pots from leading brands Bialetti and Pezzetti. They combine durability, compact dimensions, ease of use and elegant design, and come in different colours. In our experience, these coffee accessories remain consistently popular, both for personal use and as gifts.
Discover the full selection of Italian moka pots in our online shop.
Read also: Cascara: more than a coffee by-product