Italian coffee – coffee in perfection
When you think of Italian coffee, the first thing that comes to mind is of course the delicious espresso. Espresso is the basis of Italian coffee culture, which is refined with milk and milk foam depending on personal taste. Here in Germany, too, espresso, cappuccino and latte macchiato have long been among our favorite coffee varieties.
Mainly thanks to professional fully automatic coffee machines and capsule machines, which are becoming more and more popular. But what is the Italians’ secret for aromatic espresso? And what characterizes the coffee culture in Italy? There are answers now:
Coffee culture in Italy – caffè for everyone!
For a long time, the Arab world had a monopoly over the coffee trade, until pilgrims were able to smuggle germinable coffee beans to Europe. More precisely, to Venice in Italy. Here, the delicious hot drink was first widespread in the circles of the nobility and aristocrats. Gradually, coffee found its way into all social classes and soon became an integral part of everyday life.
Although the first Italian coffee was consumed on Venetian soil, today Naples is considered to be the city in Italy that identifies most closely with coffee. Not only do numerous songs in honor of the popular hot drink come from Naples, but also a special and heartfelt tradition. Here, in addition to their own espresso, citizens can also pay for a “caffè sospeso” in the café. Translated, this means something like a “saved” coffee. This coffee is waiting, so to speak, for someone who cannot afford anything else. After all, enjoying coffee should be open to every citizen in Naples.
Espresso or espressi – which is correct?
There is a lot of confusion about the correct plural, especially among tourists in the popular holiday destination. One thing in advance: the native Italian does not order an espresso at all. If you really want to adapt to the coffee culture of Italy, order a “Caffé”. Sounds like a normal filter coffee, but what is meant is a small espresso.
This is exactly what leads to confusion among tourists in Italy. If you want to be on the safe side, simply order a caffé espresso, or for two “due caffè espresso”.
The secret of Italian coffee
Italian coffee is roasted from very dark beans. This requires a special art of the roasting master. It is not for nothing that there are still many small roasting plants in Italy, the so-called “torrefazione artigianale”. The roasting masters have many years of experience and manage to slowly roast the coffee beans to the desired result.
They press hot water at high pressure through the finely ground coffee powder from the dark roasted beans. This creates a foam from the coffee bean oils – the Italians call it crema. The slow but stronger roasting also gives Italian coffee its characteristic aroma. The bitter substances reduce the caffeine and acid content of the espresso and make it easier to digest. The bitterness is traditionally balanced with lots of sugar.
Part of the dolce vita and coffee culture in Italy is to take a sip of still water with your coffee or cappuccino. Therefore, a small glass of water is traditionally served directly with the cup of coffee.
Whether at home on the couch or in one of the Italian cafés in a sunny spot – enjoy your aromatic coffee espresso to perfection.
