History and culture of coffee in Italy. Italian coffee - for true gourmets

Italy's first coffee

As the story goes, for the first time aromatic coffee beans came to Italy thanks to Genoese merchants at the end of the 16th century. It is worth saying that in all Mediterranean countries, coffee was worth its weight in gold, and Italy was no exception. The fame of coffee attracted the entire Italian beau monde to this drink, which at that time set the fashion in Europe. When the first Italian coffee beans were brewed in Venice in 1750, this drink became one of the most popular in the city. Then coffee began to be served at the tables of the Venetian, Florentine, Milanese nobles in tiny golden cups that looked like thimbles. Italy's first coffee was monstrously strong and served without sugar. Already 13 years later, more than 218 coffee bars were opened in Venice alone, and the drink was considered as a unique medicine. Pope Clement VIII himself, fascinated by either the taste or the healing properties of the drink, encouraged its use, calling coffee a medicine. It got to the point that Italian coffee beans were allowed to cook and drink even on fasting days. It was possible to buy Italian coffee in pharmacies, but it cost a lot of money, so not every Italian could afford such an expensive pleasure.

Why Italian blended coffee is considered to be the best? Part of the reason is that Italy was the first to sell roasted and packaged coffees and coffee blends, which were distinguished by a constant impeccable taste.
The traditions of making an excellent drink in Italy are passed down from generation to generation, which strengthens the already strong position of Italian coffee in the world market. In addition, the craftsmen are spurred on by fierce competition, so Italian coffee producers are primarily chasing the quality of their finished products, and only the best brands are really retained on the world market. Italian coffee beans and Italian ground coffee have been market leaders for several decades now. In such a business as coffee production, not a single blender even tries to cheat and reduce the cost of his product by using any low-quality ingredients or to decorate the product with artificial flavors and other additives. Italian coffee producers, like no other, know that it is worth saving once, and it will be almost impossible to regain the trust of their fans. It is extremely difficult to earn a good reputation, and it is easy to lose it, so you have to keep your brand!
In order not to lose face, the creators of the invigorating drink buy only selected coffee beans of exceptional varieties, carry out a multi-stage system for checking raw materials for quality, as well as calibrating for color, weight and size using modern optical or laser devices. And only after numerous production processes, the grains go to roasting, which is also carried out in accordance with all norms and requirements. That is why, when buying another package of coffee from Italy, we are sure of its high quality and excellent taste. The highest quality of products from Italy is confirmed by the CSC and ISO certification marks, which mark each package of selected Italian coffee.

Italy - world coffee country

For Italians, strong and rich coffee is as important as pizza, cheese, pasta, wine or olive oil. It was here that these amazing varieties of coffee appeared, which today all Italians drink, young and old, at any time of the day or night. Mornings in Italy begin with a cup of freshly brewed natural coffee, and in the afternoon you can treat yourself to coffee with lush milk foam. At the same time, in this country it is not customary to drink instant coffee - the object of adoration for Russian office workers. Only natural Italian ground coffee, checked according to all the rules in a Turk or a coffee machine, can give you a few minutes of true pleasure.
Coffee for Italy is a special drink, the soft aroma of which beckons, makes you forget about business and problems, takes you to a magical land of dreams! The taste of this drink is beyond description, it is unique, balanced, it is devoid of dominant accents. In a word, it is perfect! According to generally accepted rules, strong natural coffee in Italy is served in a cup with a volume of 25 to 50 ml, shaped like a truncated ellipse. They say that just such a vessel can fully convey to the taster all the beauty of the flavor of excellent coffee.

Making coffee in Italy is a real art, which not everyone can comprehend. It is not enough just to roast the beans - it is necessary to correctly calculate the proportions of coffee and water, the temperature and duration of the preparation of the drink. In other words, to get to know the taste of true coffee, you should go to this mysterious country, the shores of which are washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the lands of which are warmed by the rays of the hot southern sun.

Coffee is the favorite drink of the people of Italy. Local gourmets are bright, emotional, passionate people who know a lot about good coffee. Interestingly, every Italian is firmly convinced that only he himself, as well as his mother and a friend of the barista, can prepare the best Italian coffee. However, a resident of Italy has every reason to believe so, because you will not find such coffee that is served in Italian bars anywhere in the world. One gets the impression that the Apennine Peninsula is the second homeland of coffee beans. In Italy, the coffee tree is considered a kind of "deity", he is worshiped, revered and associated with true pleasure.
It's no secret that Italians are great connoisseurs of coffee, but some tourists have noticed that they are also a very stingy people. For example, an Italian can come to a bar (by the way, a variety of coffee varieties in Italy can be found not only in the menu of a coffee shop, but also in the menu of any bar or cafe), order a cup of coffee for one euro and sit quietly at a table for half a day. However, this can be attributed to the ability of Italian gourmets to “catch” and “prolong” minutes of true pleasure. Nobody knows how to appreciate coffee as highly as the people of Italy! And confirmation of these words is one amazing Italian tradition. So, visitors to bars in Italy sometimes order and pay for much more coffee than they can drink at a time. For example, a company of three people comes to a cafe and orders five cups of coffee: three for themselves, and the remaining two remain “suspended”. “Hanging” in Italy is called coffee cups, which are paid for by bar patrons to enable other people who can’t even afford a cup of coffee to enjoy this magical drink. Therefore, cafes and bars are often visited by the homeless or the poor, asking the waiters if there is a "suspended" coffee. This tradition perfectly describes how Italians treat their coffee. By ordering an invigorating morning drink, the gourmet takes care of those who cannot afford such a small joy. After all, every person living in this beautiful country wants to meet the new day with a cup of amazing drink brewed from precious grains.

In conclusion, it is worth adding that such concepts as "Italy" and "coffee" are indivisible. A thick, strong, rich drink, which can be with milk, ice cream, cream, cognac, sugar or lemon, has become part of the national culture of this country. You can also join the circle of ardent fans of one of the most popular drinks in the world by placing an order in our online store. To buy coffee from Italy, leave a request on the website or contact our employee. Brew a cup of Italian coffee for yourself, inhale its aroma, take the first sip, and you will feel how time has suddenly stopped its course so as not to “frighten away” the pleasure penetrating into every cell of your body! Happy coffee drinking!

The culture of coffee drinking in Italy originated in the 17th century, when the first coffee house appeared in the country in 1654. Today, Italian coffee has become a cult drink, and the Italians themselves are recognized as real gourmets and unsurpassed experts in the preparation of this aromatic drink.

Does coffee grow in Italy?

There is an opinion that the best varieties of coffee are grown in Italy. But this is not so, because the local climatic conditions do not allow growing coffee trees. But the Italians, as true coffee lovers, produce excellent blends that bring world fame to the country. In Italy, there are a large number of companies specializing in coffee roasting.

Moreover, each region is dominated by its own producer. Along with bar signs, you can usually see a logo with a type of coffee that is offered to visitors to the establishment. In large retail chains, coffee is also usually sold under its own brand. Today, the stable phrase "Italian coffee" is increasingly heard due to the popularity of cooking recipes borrowed from Italians. They use the invigorating drink so often that they have invented many interesting ways to prepare it.

Our store has some great ones. Try a wide variety of flavors!

How is coffee made in Italy?

The most popular in Italy is espresso, as Italians prefer to drink coffee often, but in small portions. Espresso is most often called the word coffee, meaning a small half-filled cup of aromatic drink with a mild noble taste. Italian espresso has a dense golden foam that covers the entire surface of the drink.

Originally Italian coffee is considered to be coretto, which is prepared on the basis of espresso with the addition of alcohol (liquor, wine or vodka). Due to alcohol, the drink acquires a special piquancy and rich taste. Italians are very fond of coffee with the addition of milk: cappuccino, latte, macchiato and mochachino. But these drinks are usually consumed only in the morning. In the afternoon, coffee with milk in Italy can only be drunk by tourists who do not know local traditions.

For an Italian, coffee is indispensable not only in the morning, but also in the afternoon, because you need to cheer up and replenish your energy supply before lunch. They also drink a tonic drink after eating to avoid drowsiness, as well as towards the end of the working day. Many do not limit themselves to this and pamper themselves with aromatic coffee after dinner. There are some specific features of how they drink coffee in Italy.

• For example, coffee is served not too hot, so as not to burn yourself;
• Double espresso in coffee shops, as a rule, is not ordered. Italians prefer the classic volume of espresso. Americano in the Italian version is aqua sporka. It is an espresso diluted with hot water to a volume of 120 ml.
• Often, coffee is drunk standing up, because it is believed that this is how it is better absorbed;
• In coffee shops, a drink is ordered at the counter, loudly voicing their choice, even if the barista is not looking at you. As soon as the cup is drunk, they pay.

The traditions of coffee drinking are so strong and rich that they are deeply rooted in Italian culture. Its special flavor and originality prompted the creators of Nespresso coffee to create new capsules TRIBUTE TO MILANO and TRIBUTE TO PALERMO. The Tribute to Milano limited edition blend is inspired by the fast-paced life of Milan, where even coffee is drunk quickly. The aromatic blend Tribute to Palermo captivates with the fragrance of spices and the slightly bitter taste of Sicilian cocoa. He became the embodiment of the measured life of Palermo.

Both blends are based on the best varieties of Arabica and Robusta. Like real Italian coffee, they are suitable for strong ristretto and espresso, as well as various drinks with the addition of milk. Tribute to Milano can be used to make an excellent Latte Macchiato, with a mild taste and caramel aroma. Tribute to Palermo is perfect for an aromatic cappuccino with a pleasant chocolate tinge.

Good day, readers of our site! In Italy, coffee has become a real national drink. It is very loved there and appreciated for its invigorating properties. However, it is worth noting that coffee trees do not grow there, as the climate is not suitable for their growth. Raw materials are brought from warm countries that are engaged in the cultivation of this product. This does not prevent Italians from loving real Italian coffee, which can be tasted in many bars.

Here you can be served strong rich coffee or a softer drink with milk foam, with a variety of additives, such as liqueur, ice cream and even lemon.

Historical reference

It is difficult to say when we first tried this invigorating rich drink. In ancient times, in order to obtain a beneficial effect from coffee beans, they were crushed, dried, made tinctures, and brewed. One of the stories of the origin of the drink takes us back to 900 in Ethiopia.

After a while, Ethiopia was captured by the Arabs, who appreciated the coffee delicacy and began to drink part of it. They began to grind raw grains and mix with special fat. They rolled this mass into balls and took it with them on the road.

Many years later, coffee beans learned to be cleaned and processed in the way we are used to, that is, they were cleaned, sorted, roasted and then ground. Obtained from such raw materials, the drink was much tastier and more palatable. Coffee beans were first processed in this way in Yemen in the 11th century.

Only in the 15th century did the drink come to Turkey, where they fell in love with it and developed their own method of preparation. Coffee houses began to appear in which it became possible to enjoy a cup of invigorating delicacies.

In Italy, coffee beans first appeared in 1500 when they were brought to Milan from Africa.

However, they began to massively acquire raw materials after 125 years from Yemen. At this time, the first coffee houses appeared in Venice, where you could relax and feel the taste of a fragrant drink. In just a few decades, the number of coffee houses increased to 200. At that time, only the elite gathered in them, the cream of society: artists, poets, politicians and privileged youth.

The Italians have developed their own Italian coffee roasting

The Italians developed the Italian roasted coffee, which is familiar to us under the name "dark". Thanks to the exceptional taste of Italians, they select excellent blends from various varieties of Arabica and Robusta, which are combined in a drink and allow us to enjoy an amazing taste and aroma.

In Italy, Italian ground coffee and Italian coffee beans are especially popular. The instant product is not very popular here, so it is produced a little for especially busy people.

Variety of coffee types

In Italy, there are many different variations and types of coffee, each with its own taste and aroma. Every consumer who can taste at least half of the variety of drinks will be able to choose the best Italian coffee for himself.

Among the Italian coffee, the following varieties can be distinguished:

• Espresso Romano. This type of delicacy is served only with lemon, which is not usual for the Russian consumer;
• Sumato. Milk for this variety is whipped into foam and added to espresso;
• Macchiato. A very strong espresso, into which a little hot milk, previously whipped into foam, is necessarily poured;
• Americano or lungo. In other words, this is espresso, which is diluted with hot water and brought to the desired volume;
• Ristretto. This type of drink is served in a small serving cup. Its volume should not exceed 30 ml. This is a very strong concentrated coffee that will allow you to wake up instantly. Cold water is served to him to drink before drinking coffee;
• Nocholla. This type can be attributed to dessert, because whipped cream and a special cream with nuts are added to it;
• Corretto. This is espresso, which is customary to add a little variety of alcohol. The choice of alcohol depends on the area where the drink is prepared, it can be whiskey, liquor, grappa, and also wine;
• Bicherin. It consists of brewed coffee, liquor, chocolate, and cream;
• Frappuccino. This type of drink is usually drunk cold. It contains such popular ingredients as coffee, caramel syrup and whipped cream;
• Cappuccino. The famous drink with milk.
• Mokachino. In other words, it is a cappuccino with chocolate served as a dessert;
• Latte. This is espresso that is made softer by adding milk;
• Glase. This drink is served with ice cream.

In fact, there are many coffee options and many consumers find it difficult to decide which one is their favorite.

Italian coffee - famous brands

In Italy there are entire coffee productions. And it is not for nothing that coffee trees are not grown here. The Italians have found a way out and are importing coffee beans from other countries into the country. In Italy, they are engaged in processing, roasting and packaging of the product.

Illy coffee brand is the most popular Italian coffee brand

Italian coffee, whose brands are known all over the world, is produced under the following names:

• Illy. Italian coffee, the brand of which is very popular in Europe, is made from the best Arabica varieties brought from all over the world. The product of this brand has a unique taste and aroma. The caffeine content in the product is average. You can buy grain, ground and portioned types of drink. It was the Illy brand that developed the first coffee machine;
• Lavazza. This brand is widely distributed throughout Europe. There are quite a few blends that use different degrees of roasting. The brand can offer its consumers both ground and grain products, as well as in pods and capsules. Many Italians consider this coffee to be the best;
• Kimbo. The company's products are sold in more than 60 countries around the world. It exists in grain and ground form. The brand has developed a special roasting, which is carried out under hot air, and thus the grains are enriched with a unique aroma and taste;
• Trombetto. In Russia, he is practically unknown. In Italy, he produces grain and ground products, in mono doses, as well as all kinds of accessories for coffee.

There are other brands of coffee drinks, but the above are the most popular and high quality.

Making authentic Italian coffee at home

Real coffee lovers know that buying a high-quality product is only half the battle, it also needs to be prepared correctly. Sometimes even the best coffee beans can be spoiled during the brewing stage.

There are some subtleties on which the final taste of the drink will depend:

• For a treat, you will need to choose the right coffee of excellent quality. The degree of roasting is also worth paying attention to. If it is possible to feel the aroma of coffee beans, then this must be done before buying, as burnt grains can sometimes be caught;
• It is recommended to use coffee beans, which must be ground just before preparation;
• Store open packaging in a tightly closed container;
• Water should be of good quality, enriched with oxygen. By the way, the taste of the treat will also depend on the temperature of the water. It is recommended to brew a drink from cold water. If you pour boiling water over ground coffee, then its taste will be much worse and this will be clear even to a beginner in the coffee business;
• It is necessary to cook a delicacy with gradual heating so that it slowly acquires the desired temperature. The mixture should not boil, and if the foam starts to rise, the Turk must be removed from the heat and returned after a few seconds to the stove;
• The cup where the drink will be poured must be preheated. Baristas will never pour a treat into a cold cup, as this will spoil the taste;
• Cane sugar enhances the taste of coffee.

Italian coffee for Turks should have the following qualities:

• Fine grinding and high-quality roasting of the desired degree;
• The grains are whole and have a smooth surface;
• Pleasant stimulating aroma;
• Vacuum packed;
• Correct storage conditions.

Before buying, be sure to pay attention to the expiration date, since it is not uncommon to purchase an expired product, and it will no longer give the taste that is expected from it.

Coffee prepared according to the Italian recipe will not leave indifferent the most true coffee lovers.

Coffee in Italian, the recipe is as follows. It will require the following ingredients:

• Ground coffee - 1 tbsp;
• Milk - 200 ml;
• Sugar to taste.

Nothing special is required for cooking. You need to take a Turk, add ground coffee to it and pour cold milk.

Put on the stove and bring to a boil. Remove from heat as soon as foam begins to rise. Return to the stove again and repeat the procedure up to 6 times.

Let it settle thicker and pour into glasses. Add sugar to taste to the finished drink and enjoy.

This is the easiest drink. There are many others that take quite a long time to cook. However, if you are a real coffee lover, then you should try other variations of the treat.

Italian coffee, reviews of which are extremely positive, has its own characteristics. If you take them into account during cooking, you will get a very tasty treat.

Italian coffee is a real traditional drink of Italy, which you need to be able to brew in order to get the very taste and aroma that drives you crazy. To enjoy a real Italian delicacy, you need to try it at least once in Italy, where they know how to cook it. See you soon!

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 do they offer real espresso 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 rather, from its independent republic - Venice. Italian - this product was one of the goods that the wealthy 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 the mass purchase of coffee began 125 years later, the supplier was Yemen. In Venice, coffee houses began to appear for the first time from European regions, the number of which in several decades reached 2 hundred. Here it was possible not only to taste a delicious and fragrant drink, but also to chat, as if at a social event. Coffeehouses were a favorite gathering place for intellectual youth, the elite, famous artists and politicians.

Florian - the oldest and most famous coffee house in Venice

The Italians are the developers of several roasting technologies, the strongest of which is called dark or Italian. They are able to organically blend varieties of coffee beans, carefully select raw materials, surprisingly feel the most subtle facets of taste and aroma, which is why they are considered the best in the field of beverage production and preparation.

Types of Italian coffee

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

It 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 - Roman coffee with lemon zest.
• Ristretto is the strongest of all types, its volume is only 25 ml.
• Frappuccino is a drink that is 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 beverages: rum, anise liqueur and brandy. Warms up great.
• Glace - a drink with creamy ice cream.

Italian coffee sometimes strikes with a combination of ingredients, but it cannot be tasteless and non-aromatic. 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 liquor, syrup or other ingredients to the cup, the barista will immediately understand that he has a guest from another country in front of him.

The most famous brands

In Italy, a large number of enterprises involved in roasting and packaging coffee are concentrated. The most famous brands of Italian coffee are Lavazza, Kimbo, Trombetta, Illy.

Illy is a brand operating in the premium segment of the market. Offers the best blends of high quality Arabica 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 portioned coffees. It is the brand's technologists who are credited with developing the first coffee machine.

Lavazza is the largest and most popular Italian brand, well established 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 a variety of coffee blends of different roasts. The range of the brand includes ground and grain coffee, as well as the 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 real. The photo above shows the range of the brand, available in all European countries.

Kimbo (Kimbo) - a brand that operates at an average price of the market segment, sells its products in 60 countries around the world. Offers blends from different varieties of Arabica and Robusta. Kimbo coffee can be bought in beans and ground. A distinctive feature of the production technology at the factories of the brand is roasting with hot air, thanks to which the maximum aroma is preserved in the grains and an invariable constancy of taste is achieved.

Italy is a country with special traditions of coffee consumption. Here they love it and know how to cook really tasty. When planning a trip, it is better to find out in advance where and how coffee is drunk in Italy in order to rediscover the enchanting aroma of an 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 that it has on the human body. All of this was seen as evidence of the tricks of Satan.

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