Coffee in Italy is not just a drink, but a real religion. This country gave the world espresso and cappuccino, and some coffee brands have been operating since the end of the 19th century to this day. Many of the famous brands of Italian coffee are available all over the world, including in Russia. We present to you 17 names that you can focus on when choosing quality beans or ground coffee from Italy.
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Kimbo
Kimbo is called the #2 brand for making the best espresso. Its history began after the founding of Cafè do Brasil, which produces this brand of coffee, in 1963. If you've heard that Neapolitan is the best coffee in Italy, then you should also know that Kimbo is a brand from Naples, the city with the most developed coffee culture in the country.
Dessert for coffee
Tiramisu is considered a traditional Italian dessert for coffee. And although today this delicious dessert is prepared all over the world, it was born in Italy. The associations that arise in your head when you hear the word tiramisu are soft cheese, airy cookies, dark chocolate and, of course, coffee...real, hot, thick, aromatic with a slight bitterness.
Soft Italian mascarpone cheese is used to prepare this culinary miracle. In appearance it looks like very thick cream, but in taste it resembles not at all sour cottage cheese. The second integral element of tiramisu is savoiardi biscuits, glazed with sugar crumbs.
Biscuit fingers are soaked in a mixture of strong black coffee and alcohol. The alcohol can be cognac, brandy or liqueur, such as coffee. The soaked cookies are layered with delicious cheese and sprinkled with grated dark chocolate on top. If the cake is to be served on a children's table, then strong drinks should be excluded from the recipe.
The only drawback of this wonderful dessert is its high calorie content. Therefore, those who are prone to excess weight should probably not get carried away with such tempting tiramisu. But you just need to try a small piece.
Mauro
The name of this coffee brand is associated with the name of Demetrio Mauro. In 1936, he came to Africa from his native province of Reggio Calabria, where he opened a travel agency. After the war, he developed a new passion - coffee, to which he devoted his entire life, founding the Mauro brand in 1949.
Types of coffee drinks
There are more than a dozen different coffee drinks in Italy. Let's talk about the most popular ones. They are definitely worth trying during your trip to Italy.
Caffè normale (Espresso) | Normal
The most popular Italian coffee: aromatic, strong, thick, dense. On top it is covered with velvety foam with a golden tint. Normale coffee in Italy is drunk in one gulp in a couple of sips. We walked up to the counter, ordered, swallowed it, and moved on. The name of the drink in Italy need not be specified. Say “Un caffè” or “Due caffè” and politely add “per favore”. They will understand you. Life hack: drinking while standing is cheaper. In this case, in almost any Italian bar you will pay 1 euro for a cup of espresso.
Ristretto | Ristretto
Very strong espresso. The portion of coffee is the same, but the water is half as much. It turns out to be a bitter, invigorating drink. Not for everyone. Italians often drink classic espresso rather than ristretto.
Caffè Romano | Romano
Or Roman espresso. Essentially the same normale, but with fresh lemon juice. This Italian coffee is also drunk in one gulp. It is distinguished by its bright acidity, strength and density. In Rome, the drink is often served with candied lemon. Italians swallow their coffee, pop a lemon in their mouths, and move on happy.
Corretto | Corretto
A popular Italian coffee is espresso with the addition of liqueur. Most often, corretto is prepared with grappa. Served for breakfast. Sometimes, instead of grape vodka, brandy, cointreau, sambuca or other strong alcohol is added to it. The drink turns out to be hot, bitter, piquant. Try it with sugar - the taste develops better.
Lungo | Lungo
That is, “long coffee”. Lungo in Italy is a classic espresso diluted with hot water. The whole world calls the drink “Americano”. It's good to order after lunch or dinner. You can drink without haste.
Caffè macchiato | Macchiato
Italian coffee with milk. The same espresso, but with light white foam. In Italy, two types of macchiato are popular: Freddo - with cold milk, Caldo - with hot milk. The drink is stronger than cappuccino, but much lighter than espresso. The Italians call it "feminine".
Latte macchiato (caffè latte) | Latte macchiato (coffee latte)
The same macchiato, but with more milk and an airy white top. In Italy, latte coffee is often decorated with a design. Be careful: if you order just a latte, they will bring you regular milk. Add the word "coffee".
Cappuccino | Cappuccino
The perfect balance of coffee and milk. Stronger than a latte, softer than an espresso. Cappuccino in Italy is a breakfast drink. Locals will roll their eyes if you:
- order it in the afternoon;
- you will drink coffee with milk after meals;
- if you (oh horror!) order a drink along with pasta or another traditional dish.
Don't tease the locals and grab a cappuccino for breakfast with fresh pastries or dessert.
Сaffè con panna | Kon-panna
Espresso topped with sweet whipped cream. They slowly melt in the hot coffee. The drink turns out soft, creamy, thick. A good option for breakfast or an aperitif.
Marocchino | Marocino
Similar to moccacino. A coffee drink made from espresso, milk and cocoa powder. Sometimes thick hot chocolate or even chocolate spread is added to it. Serve in a glass goblet. This coffee in Italy is worth trying for dessert.
Don't forget to try 3 famous Italian coffee-based desserts: tiramisu, cookie-based affogato with ice cream, coffee mousse with amaretto. We wrote about other popular sweets in Rome, Milan, Florence and other parts of the country in this article.
Pellini
Pellini coffee is a family affair: the brand was founded by the Pellini brothers in Verona in 1922. Today it is one of the best brands of Italian coffee thanks to its long history, during which the production process has been constantly improved, and the strictest control of technology. Pellini supplies coffee to top restaurants and hotels, and retails coffee beans, ground coffee and capsules all over the world.
Interesting Facts
Italy is one of the top ten consumers of coffee in the world. But grains are not grown here. We have collected 10 interesting facts about why Italians love coffee. And about the drink itself, of course.
- The first coffee shop in Italy was opened in Venice back in the 17th century. At that time, people in Russia had not even heard of the drink.
- The world's first espresso coffee machine was also invented by Italians - in 1905. She was brewing a disgusting bitter drink. Later it was modified. The result is a geyser “moka” coffee maker. Most Italians have one.
- Instant coffee is not recognized in this country. They drink, of course, but they scold demonstratively.
- Many Italians like to drink 3-5 cups of coffee every day. Especially the older generation.
- It is not customary to drink coffee with milk after lunch. This is clearly visible in the south. If you order a cappuccino in the evening, the bartender will look at you with undisguised sympathy. And in the waiter’s gaze you will read: “Oh, poor tourist, he doesn’t understand coffee culture at all...”
- The “paper cup” culture has not taken root in Italy. Only tourists or overly modern young people drink takeaway coffee.
- Italians love to drink coffee in bars. Clients often shout from the doorway: “Caffè!” The bartender puts espresso in front of them at lightning speed. With one hand the Italian pours the contents into his mouth, and with the other he puts in the bill. Then, with a crash, he presses the money with his mug and flies out of the bar like a bullet.
- The best Italian coffee producers usually import beans from not one, but at least 3 countries. In this way they create complex blends. This is how one of the best coffees in the world is born.
- Almost every region of Italy has its own coffee drink. For example, Neapolitan Caffè Napoli or Turin Bicerin. You almost never see them in other regions.
- The legendary Starbucks originated here, and not in the USA. The founder of the company was inspired by the passion with which Italians treat coffee. We heartily recommend reading Howard Schultz’s inspiring book “How Cup by Cup Was Built” to learn more about this (you can).
Caffè Vergnano 1882
Another oldest coffee company, founded in 1882 in Chieri, near Turin. By now, the brand has grown into more than just a major coffee producer. Throughout Italy, mainly in the North, there are Caffè Vergnano 1882 coffee shops; the brand offers a wide range of coffee, including capsules, coffee machines and even tea.
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E-books about coffee
Here is a list of interesting books about coffee that can be downloaded online:
- Coffee maker - interesting recipes for making coffee in various types of coffee makers.
- Coffee. 100 rules, stories, recipes - a collection of stories, rules, recipes and other knowledge about coffee.
- I love coffee! - an illustrated book about the most amazing drink in the Universe.
- It's Not About the Coffee - an abridged version of a book about Starbucks corporate culture. Only the most important things: ideas, techniques, key quotes.
- Fika, or Swedish happiness in a cup of coffee - from this book you will learn more about the Swedish lifestyle, their mentality, the “recipe” for happiness and inner comfort.
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