Coffee is an integral part of the Italian culture; the onus being on high quality and careful preparation. Italian coffee is made using freshly roasted coffee beans, enhanced by a strong dark roast, and made with exemplary equipment. Up until 2018, Italy was one of the only countries in the world without a Starbucks; testimony to just how good Italian coffee really is.
Read on to learn more about the origins and culture surrounding coffee in Italy, where to buy it, which brands to use, how to prepare your own authentic Italian coffee at home, and how to order a coffee in an Italian coffee bar.
When Did Coffee First Become Popular In Italy?
Italy first imported coffee beans into Venice in the 16th century, and the first Italian coffee houses or ‘caffetterias’ began appearing towards the end of the 17th century, affording thirsty Italians a convivial meeting place in which to enjoy the perfect brew in a cordial atmosphere. Italians then started making coffee at home in the traditional ‘moka’ or stove-top coffee maker from the beginning of the 20th century.
What Is The Most Famous Region In Italy For Coffee?
Trieste is Italy’s main coffee port, and this is where a lot of the processing also takes place. Espresso consumption is highest here, with some 1500 cups of coffee being drunk in Trieste per person per year; almost double the coffee consumption of the rest of Italy.
How Do I Make Authentic Italian Coffee At Home?
The preferred method for brewing Italian coffee at home is using a traditional stove-top coffee maker or ‘moka’, which makes excellent coffee, similar to a halfway-house between espresso and drip-coffee. Follow these steps below for a perfect home brew:
- For moka-made coffee, grind the beans slightly coarse, not super-fine as you would for espresso
- Fill the metal filter with ground coffee – don’t pack it down, just level it up
- Fill the bottom part of the coffee maker to just below the safety valve with hot water
- Pop the filter in to the bottom part
- Screw on the top part of the coffee maker, holding the base with a towel, and ensuring it is tightly sealed
- Put the coffee maker on the hot stove
- Once the coffee has started to filter through, you will hear a gurgling sound. Turn the heat down, then remove the moka from the stove. Pour and enjoy!
Does Italian Coffee Still Taste Good If I Use Pods?
If you’re looking for a quick caffeine hit and want to make a decent Italian coffee without the faff of grinding beans or brewing up a moka pot, then invest in an Italian branded capsule machine; such as Nespresso, Lavazza, or Illy, who all offer compostable or recyclable pods. A popular choice for a mid-range price capsule machine is the Lavazza A Modo Mio.
How Did Espresso Come About?
Turkish style coffee was initially drunk in the first Italian coffee houses, but since each cup of Turkish coffee involved a painstaking preparation method, taking over five minutes to produce, the Italians invented a quicker, more efficient method known as ‘espresso’, which quickly became a firm favorite.
How Is Coffee Culture Different In Italy?
Italian coffee culture comes with its own unique customs, quirks, and etiquette. In simple terms, Italians prefer to drink strong, intense coffee (espresso) served in a tiny cup or glass, whilst standing at a coffee bar or counter, not sitting at a table.
What Are The Best Italian Coffee Brands?
If you’re looking for great beans or ground coffee to make an authentic home brew, see below for a round-up of 7 of the best Italian coffee beans in 2022 as featured on Amazon:
- Illy Classico: BEST ALL ROUNDER
- Ground and Whole Bean
- Best all-rounder
- Medium Roast
- Chocolate and caramel flavor
- Pellini No. 82 Vivace: BEST FOR ESPRESSO
- Whole Bean
- Dark Roast
- Full-bodied, bold flavor
- Lavazza Gran Filtro: BEST DARK ROAST
- Whole Bean
- Dark Roast
- Smokey, caramel, chocolate flavor
- Lavazza Super Crema: BEST MEDIUM ROAST
- Whole Bean
- Medium Roast
- Brown sugar, hazelnut flavor
- Lavazza Crema e Gusto: BEST GROUND COFFEE
- Dark Roast
- Bold, chocolate, vanilla flavor
- FORTE By Filicori Zecchini: BEST VALUE
- Whole Bean
- Medium-Dark Roast
- Toasted cereal flavor
- Illy Decaf: BEST DECAF
- Ground coffee
- Medium Roast
- Caramel, chocolate flavor
Why Did The Italians Spurn Starbucks For So Long?
Italian coffee culture is both sacred and ritualistic; they pride themselves on producing exemplary coffee in an equally favorable environment, be it in a coffee bar or at home. When meeting for coffee in a social setting, Italians prefer a more intimate and personal environment than that of a retail chain. Nevertheless, Italy finally succumbed to the commodification of one of their most lauded national treasures in 2018 when Starbucks first opened its doors in Milan.
Does Coffee Taste Better In Italy?
Italians are purists when it comes to coffee; freshly ground beans, dark roasts, and premium equipment are required to make the perfect coffee, in addition to ambience. You can’t beat a restorative espresso whilst gazing at a packed piazza, or soaking up the bonhomie of an Italian coffee bar. In Italy, coffee is a unifying force; traditionalists spurn faddy favors, sugary syrups, and the thousand-yard stares of digital nomads.
How Do I Order A Coffee In Italy?
Since rules, customs, and etiquette are woven into the very fabric of coffee culture in Italy, you’d be well advised to adhere to these 5 basic do’s and don’ts when ordering your first coffee in an Italian coffee bar:
- Don’t order a cappuccino after 11 a.m.
- Don’t ask for a takeaway cup.
- Don’t order a latte; or if you do prepare to be served a glass of milk
- Drink your coffee standing at the bar/ squatting on a bar stool
- Don’t order an ‘espresso’ – espresso is the technical term, caffé is the drink, so to order a shot of espresso in Italy, simply ask for a ‘caffè’: ‘Un caffè per favore’.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.