Jun 08 2010
Italian Coffee
Coffee and Italy go together much like France and red wine, it would be hard to imagine one without the other. Italian coffee and coffee drinks revolutionized the way the rest of the world enjoyed their coffee drinks. Although the Italians are not responsible for the invention of coffee, they are responsible for shaping the coffee world as it is known today.
While they may not be responsible for the actual drink, coffee shop owners around the world can thank the Italians for the popularity of the coffee house. The first coffee house opened in Venice in the 17th century and spread throughout Italy in a short amount of time.
Italian coffee is usually made from Arabica beans due to their full flavor. However in some of the southern areas of Italy a blend of Arabica and Robusta blends is used for making espressos stronger.
In Italy, just as in any other part of the world, great coffee starts with a great bean. However, the roasting process also has a huge impact on the flavor of the coffee. Italian coffees tend to have a rich brown color and the beans are not oily. This is in stark contrast to French roasted coffee which is very dark and oily.
The roaster must be a master at his art to get the coffee beans precisely the right darkness without burning them. Particularly in the case of blends because the Robusta beans need to roast longer than the Arabica beans. Once the roaster is satisfied that the beans are correctly roasted they are removed from the heat and allowed to air cool. Air cooling helps the beans to retain their flavor longer than water cooling.
Italian coffee that is brewed at home is typically made using a pot called a Moka or caffetiera. This steel pot goes directly on the stove and works much like a steamer does. In the Moka, as water heats the steam that is released is forced through the coffee grounds to make the coffee beverage. This is the most popular home coffee maker in Italy and makes a full-bodied cup of coffee that is quite tasty.
Italians take a lot of pride in their coffee and coffee drinks which is why there aren’t very many automated espresso and coffee makers around. They believe that making coffee the traditional way is the only way to get a true Italian cup of coffee.
Visitors to Italy need to be aware of coffee traditions and how coffee shops and bars operate. Tourists would not automatically know that patrons at the tables tend to pay much higher prices than patrons who are served at the bar.
Tourists, particularly American tourists might not realize that drinking coffee in Italy is not like drinking it in America. Americans tend to linger over their coffee taking their time and conversing. In Italy, when a caffe is ordered it is traditionally swallowed in one or two gulps.
Italian coffee is a delectable treat, especially if it is being enjoyed in a sidewalk cafe in Italy. This treat can be enjoyed without having to travel to Italy by simply purchasing Italian coffee blends.
-Sharon Chapman