Italy is a country of true coffee lovers, which is why a record number of world coffee brands are concentrated on its territory. How does the national drink of Italy differ from others, which brands offer the best and why is real espresso offered here?

History of Italian coffee

Coffee does not grow in Italy, there are no favorable conditions for this shrub, but the process of conquering Europe with an invigorating drink began precisely from this country, or more precisely, from its independent republic - Venice. Italian - this product was one of the goods that rich Venetians traded, buying it from the Turks and reselling it to Europeans. But this happened much later.

The first coffee beans were brought to Milan from Africa as a material for study in 1500, and mass purchases of coffee began 125 years later, the supplier was Yemen. In Venice, for the first time in European regions, coffee shops began to appear, the number of which reached 2 hundred over several decades. Here you could not only try a tasty and aromatic drink, but also socialize as if at a social event. Intellectual youth, the elite, famous artists and politicians liked to gather in coffee houses.

Florian - the oldest and most famous coffee shop in Venice

Italians are the developers of several roasting technologies, the strongest of which is called dark or Italian. They know how to organically blend varieties of coffee beans, carefully select raw materials, and amazingly sense the finest facets of taste and aroma, which is why they are considered the best in the field of drink production and preparation.

Types of Italian coffee

When talking about Italian coffee, everyone imagines a tiny portion of strong and aromatic espresso and you won’t be mistaken. This drink is first on the list of national drinks. But there is no limit to perfection. In this country there is double and triple espresso, which are respectively called Doppio and Trippio espresso.

This is part of the most famous Italian types of coffee drinks

• Macchiato is a classic strong espresso with a small amount of warm frothed milk.
• Espresso Romano is Roman coffee with lemon zest.
• Ristretto is the strongest of all types, its volume is only 25 ml.
• Frappuccino is a drink served chilled, the list of ingredients includes milk, whipped cream and caramel syrup.
• Cappuccino – espresso with milk and milk foam.
• Bicherin is a delicious drink made from coffee, cream and chocolate.
• Moreta Fanez - coffee with a mixture of alcoholic drinks: rum, anise liqueur and brandy. Warms perfectly.
• Glace is a drink with creamy ice cream.

Italian coffee sometimes amazes with its combination of ingredients, but it cannot be tasteless or fragrant. This country even has special rules for ordering this drink.

So, morning is the best time for espresso, latte and macchiato. Moreover, if you ask to add a little liqueur, syrup or other ingredients to the cup, the barista will immediately understand that this is a guest from another country.

The most famous brands

Italy is home to a large number of coffee roasting and packaging companies. The most famous brands of Italian coffee are Lavazza, Quimbo, Trombetta, Illy.

Illy is a brand operating in the premium segment of the market. Offers the best blends of high quality Arabica beans from around the world. The brand is well known in Europe, but in Russia it is just beginning to gain popularity. The brand's products always have a deep and rich aroma, medium caffeine content and a unique aftertaste. Illy offers ground, bean and batch coffee. The brand's technologists are credited with developing the first coffee machine.

Lavazza is the largest and most popular Italian brand, which has well established its position in Europe. Works with different varieties of coffee beans from all over the world - from Brazil and Colombia to Vietnam and Indonesia. This brand offers many blends of coffee of different roasts. The brand's product range includes ground and bean coffee, as well as product in capsules and pods.

If you ask 4 Italians what kind of coffee they prefer, then 3 out of 4 will point to Lavazza as the best and most authentic. The photo above shows the brand's range, available in all European countries.

Kimbo is a brand that operates at an average price in the market segment and sells its products in 60 countries around the world. Offers blends of different varieties of Arabica and Robusta. Kimbo coffee can be purchased in beans and ground. A distinctive feature of the production technology at the brand’s factories is hot air roasting, thanks to which the maximum aroma is preserved in the beans and a constant consistency of taste is achieved.

What are Italian coffee shops famous for? What types of coffee are popular in the country and how do Italians drink coffee? Our life hack: cappuccino-espresso, coretto, fredo, glasse, macchiatto and decaf.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee excites people all over the world, and not just in. Italian coffee can be tasted in different places, but this country has its own rules for this invigorating drink.

Cappuccino-espresso

The popular Italian cappuccino-espresso in tiny cups with a cap of whipped and heated milk, sprinkled with cocoa or cinnamon, is usually drunk in Italy only for breakfast. But don’t think that people in this country drink coffee only in the morning, this is not true.

Not every Italian can wake up without a cup of espresso!

How do they drink and what kind of Italian coffee do locals prefer?

In second place in popularity is the ordinary version of this coffee - espresso, which is everywhere designated by the laconic word “coffee”. The secret of this strong drink lies in the coffee machine, with the help of which a layer of ground black coffee allows strong steam to pass through it. This results in a drink with a dense foam cap, slightly caramel color and perky strength.

Cappuccino-espresso is considered a subtype of the classic espresso drink due to the addition of a medium amount of milk to the coffee during the preparation process.

Cappuccino-espresso in tiny cups with a cap of whipped and heated milk, sprinkled with cocoa or cinnamon, is usually drunk in Italy only for breakfast.

Italian coffee "Coretto"

Among young people, the “Coretto” type of coffee is popular, when strong alcohol is added to the cup. Here you can find a variety for any picky client - add liqueurs, brandy and even the famous. The latter is very insidious, and consuming it in large quantities is extremely undesirable, especially for an unprepared tourist-taster.

Coffee "Glace" and "Freddo"

In the hot summer, Italians of all ages love to drink “Glasse” coffee (or as Italians also call it “Freddo” coffee) in coffee shops, when creamy ice cream is added to the strong drink. Cold Latte is also very popular - cold milk is added to coffee. This drink is served in large glasses and is often ordered to take with you to work or for a walk.

"Decafeinato" and "Latte Macchiatto"

People with restrictions on drinking coffee for health reasons can always order decaffeinated coffee (Decafeinato coffee) or Latte Macchiatto, that is, milk with a slight addition of coffee.

Italian coffee shops

#GorgeousView over a cup of cappuccino

When you first find yourself in Italy, you will soon notice that coffee shops are literally everywhere here! They are especially common in large cities in tourist areas.

In Italy, it is especially pleasant to drink coffee while sitting in an open-air cafe, with a gorgeous view of a famous cultural or historical landmark. Rest assured, the owners of the establishment took care of the view in advance, opening it in this place about a century ago and passing it on to descendants.

Florian in Venice is the founder of Italian coffee houses. Today you can drink a cup of aromatic drink here for 18 euros. How do you like the price?

The air of Italy will intoxicate your head, and you will forever remember the aroma of this drink with the most beautiful name - “Italian coffee”.

The modern world seems impossible without daily coffee consumption, and the love for it unites coffee lovers from all over the world! How much do you know about real Italian coffee: about its types, names, “rules” for its use and how to order coffee in an Italian bar?

In this article we will tell you all the most interesting things about Italian coffee. Get ready to be immersed in its aromatic world: we promise you will love it!

Main types of Italian coffee and coffee drinks

Flat white, latte with sweet syrups, coffee in avocado or with activated carbon... Forget about all these types of coffee drinks inspired by modern fashion, because real Italian coffee is served only in several variations of different strengths:

1. Caffè(kaffe" ) is what we are all used to calling “espresso”, namely, invigorating coffee with a rich taste. Served in tiny cups;

2. Caffè ristretto(caffè "ristr é tto, or caffè corto ) – literally translated as “shortened coffee”: it is “espresso” that is prepared with less water, due to which the taste becomes even more intense. Served with a glass of water at the end;

3. Caffè doppio(kaffe" do ppyo) - double portion caffè;

4. Caffè lungo(kaffe" lungo) – translated as “long coffee”: this is espresso, which is prepared with a double portion of water. Therefore, the taste is a little softer;

5. Caffè decaffeinato(kaffe " decaffeinato) - espresso without caffeine;

6.Сaff è con panna(caffe con panna) – espresso with a “cap” of sweet whipped cream on top;

7.Caff è macchiato(kaffe" macchiato) – literally “dirty coffee”, but in reality – espresso, to which a drop of milk is added for a more delicate taste;

8. Latte macchiato(là tte macchiato) - this is what in Russia is usually called simply “l”à tte" ( with emphasis on the first syllable ) . Only in Italian " latte " means "milk". So if you walk into your local bar and order “ latte" then don’t be surprised when they serve you a glass of regular milk :) But “là “tte macchiato” is a drink prepared from steamed hot milk, to which a small portion of espresso is added;

9. Cappuccino(cappuccino) – Everyone's favorite coffee drink, which is prepared on the basis of espresso, milk and milk foam. In Italy, cappuccino, like all coffee drinks with added milk, is usually drunk for breakfast;

10.Caff è latte(caffe latte) is simply coffee with milk. Here the amount of coffee and hot milk is in proportions of 1:1.

What about the popular americano? You will learn about this a little later!

What else is worth trying?

Caffè di orzo(kaffe " di orzo) – this type of “coffee” is prepared on the basis of barley and is much easier to digest by the body;

Caffè al ginseng (jinseng) is another alternative to classic coffee. Ginseng prepared with ginseng root, cream and sugar;

Try it during the hot seasoncaffè shakerato(“kaffe “shakerato”) - This is coffee mixed with pieces of ice and sugar. Or another similar treat:(granita di caffe") - This is ice crushed into fine crumbs, mixed with syrup based on coffee and sugar. This dessert will help you not only refresh yourself, but also cheer you up!

By the way! If you are lactose intolerant or allergic, you can request that your coffee drink be prepared using basaltose-free milks (lactose-free, soy, coconut, etc.).

How to drink coffee the Italian way

There are several unwritten rules regarding coffee consumption that Italians try to adhere to in everyday life:

Drink coffee drinks with added milk only before noon. Many people have heard about this “rule,” but not everyone knows what exactly it involves. In fact, reducing milk consumption in the afternoon is explained by the fact that in the evening hours it is poorly absorbed by the body and slows down metabolism. But a cup of strong coffee, on the contrary, helps stimulate it, so in Italy it is customary to drink espresso (caffè) after a meal in order to digest what you have eaten;

In Italy, there is no fashion for prolonged drinking of coffee drinks, to which we are so accustomed. Here it looks more like: dropped into a bar, drank coffee, exchanged a few words with the barista and left;

Drink coffee at the bar. This is done in order not to overpay for table service, which is automatically included in the bill if you decide to sit down and slowly drink coffee (+ 1-3 euros);

While you are in Italy, forget about the popular “coffee-Americano”: according to the Italians, this is just (we quote): “...poor and unfortunate coffee espresso, impossibly heavily diluted with water to the state of... an incomprehensible slurry!

And one more thing: drinking cappuccino and any other coffee drinks during lunch or dinner (at the same time as the main courses) is considered truly wild :)

A minute of Italian: how to order coffee at a bar

Gift idea from Italy

Do you want to bring an original gift from Italy? Then buy a few bags of Italian ground coffee (we recommend brands Trombetta and Illy ) and, most importantly, the famous Italian geyser coffee maker (Italian “moka”, caffettiera") by Bialetti brand: This is where you can make real delicious Italian coffee at home!

Usage:

Pour water into the lower compartment to the level of the “screw”, put the funnel-shaped container in place and carefully pour coffee into it to the very edge;

Connect the top to the bottom and twist the mocha tightly. Place on low heat. During the process of heating and boiling, water from the lower part of the coffee maker will gradually rise through the “geyser” system through the funnel with ground coffee, eventually emerging as a finished coffee drink into its upper part;

Wait until the finished coffee begins to actively bubble, and only then remove the moka from the heat and pour the aromatic drink into your favorite coffee cup. Enjoyment is guaranteed!

On a note:

Never clean the moka with detergents after use: just rinse it with water. In addition, the taste of the finished drink will become more rich and aromatic with each subsequent use of the coffee maker. Therefore, the first 3 cups of coffee in a new moka are usually brewed “to throw away”, so that next time you get a truly tasty and invigorating drink!

What type of coffee is your favorite?

Write your comments and stay with us! website - This is all the most interesting from the life of Italy!

Italy is a country with special traditions of coffee consumption. They love it here and know how to cook it really tasty. When planning a trip, it is better to find out in advance where and how they drink coffee in Italy in order to rediscover the enchanting aroma of the invigorating drink.

The Birth of Italian Coffee Culture

Surprisingly, coffee did not immediately become popular in Italy. It was first brought to Venice from Istanbul in the 16th century and received an extremely negative response from the church. It was considered a diabolical invention for several reasons.

The clergy were confused by the origin of the drink from Muslim countries, as well as the powerful stimulating effect it has on the human body. All this was considered as evidence of the tricks of Satan.

Only after the magical drink was tried and approved by Pope Clement VIII, coffee in Italy began to gain incredible popularity. In 1640, the first coffee shop was opened (now it is called “Florian”), and by 1768 there were already 218 of them. For comparison, in England the first such establishment appeared in 1652, and in England only in 1683.