The Wonders of Italian Coffee

Almost all forms and types of coffee today are in the Italian language which tells us that coffee is very much a part of Italy.

Can you imagine any discussion about coffee that does not mention cappuccino, espresso, macchiato, latte, doppio, or ristretto? Italy has one of the most strongest ties with coffee.

Though coffee did not originate in Italy, the coffee culture that we know and experience today was created and developed in Italy.

As mass production of coffee really began in Arabian countries, and Italy (Venice in particular) at that time had strong trade ties with the Muslims of the East, it was inevitable that coffee would soon be brought to Italy.

Italian coffee or any commercial coffee in Italy has to be made of good quality else it would not be patronized by the Italians.

Coffee is very much part of their everyday life: from breakfast, to a light afternoon snack, to an after dinner treat.

The most common way of making Italian coffee at home is through a Moka machine. It is a coffee maker made of steel that boils water in order to produce steam through the grounded coffee. This does not make a genuine espresso but it produces coffee that has fullness of body.

Coffee blends in Italy are mostly made of Robusta beans that are roasted until reaching a rich color of brown. Unlike roasted coffee of the French, Italian coffee beans are roasted with almost no oil at all.

After roasting to perfection, the beans are immediately grounded to ensure the freshest flavor. If it is not going into the espresso machine right after, the grind coffee is packed into small sealed containers.

When in Italy, always remember that coffee is not served separately; it is only served when a meal is finished. Breakfast is an exception.

If you want to order an espresso, simply say that you want a “caffe” and they know what that means. There really is no experience like Italian coffee.