Drink Italian coffee like an Italian

History of Italian Coffee

One of the oldest coffee houses in Europe, and a leading contender for the oldest coffee house in the world, is Caffè Florian in Venice. This elegant cafe, located under the gates of Piazza San Marco, opened in 1720 and continues to brew coffee for Venetians, Italians, and international visitors to this day, becoming a symbol of the city. Italy also introduced the world’s first steam-pressure coffee machine, completely changing the coffee-making process. The espresso machine was patented in Turin in 1884 and improved in Milan in 1901, resulting in the machines we know today. Finally, Italy invented the electric coffee machine, or machinetta, in 1933. This machine is a staple in every Italian home and is widely praised for its iconic, simple design.

Italians drink Italian coffee

Italians always start their morning with a cup of coffee and pastry at a bar - Italians call a coffee shop a bar. Customers drink their coffee while standing at the bar, partly because a cupespressoSmall coffees take less than a minute to drink and if you drink standing up you pay the normal price. Bars can double the price of a drink if you drink your coffee sitting at a table. Coffees at bars will usually cost around 1 euro, cheaper places will charge 0.80 euros and fancy places can charge up to 2 euros.

The first step is to locate the cashier when you enter the bar. Order your coffee and keep the receipt -scontrino- which you will give to the bartender -barista. Feel free to make requests at this step if you want your coffee served in a glass instead of a porcelain cup, milk warmed not hot, coffee stronger or weaker, just tell us.baristaStop.

Italian coffee is brewed using a precise scientific method to create the most aromatic blend. Arabica beans are most commonly used but are sometimes mixed with Robusta beans for a more intense cup.espressostronger. The beans are carefully roasted until they turn a deep brown, then cooled. Italian cafes are noisy because the beans are ground just before brewing to ensure the best flavor, not to mention the clanking of cups and the spouts of milk steamers running all day long.

Drinking coffee is a ritual that can be done multiple times a day: in the morning for a caffeine boost that energizes you throughout the day, after lunch to aid digestion and ward off drowsiness, and in the afternoon during a coffee break.espressoormacchiatoare classic choices for any time of day, while light coffees likecappuccinoorcaffè latteShould only be taken in the morning to avoid indigestion.

Coffee is usually served with a glass of water to rinse your mouth before and after drinking. And the Italian coffee drinking habit is very quick: go to the bar, order, add sugar, enjoy and leave. Apart from brief exchanges withbarista, Italians do not linger in bars for more than a few minutes. Maybe leave a few coins next toscontrinoyours as a thank youbarista.

Italian coffee terminology

Knowing some Italian coffee terminology will help you order easily, and remember that not all words have the same meaning as they do abroad. If you want a decaf coffee, ask for "decaffeinato."

Caffè or Espresso:These two terms can be used interchangeably and denote a single standard espresso in a small 25ml porcelain cup.

Doppio:Double espresso (50 ml).

Americano or Lungo:Espresso is diluted with double the amount of water for the same amount of coffee grounds.

Ristretto:Strong espresso, prepared with less water (15 ml).

Macchiato:Espresso with a little hot or cold milk foam added.

Cappuccino:Coffee consists of three equal parts - foamed milk, espresso, and hot milk. It is usually drunk at breakfast and never after lunch.

Caffè Latte:Café au lait is usually drunk for breakfast, in a large cup or bowl consisting of a double shot of espresso and hot milk. Foamed milk is rarely used.

Coffee Corretto:Espresso is served with a shot of alcohol, usually Grappa or Cognac.

Caffè Shakerato:Espresso coffee shaken with sugar and ice, often served in a cocktail glass.

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