Tradition, Kitchen

ITALIAN COFFEE BETWEEN HISTORY, CULTURE AND TRADITION

18/07/2022

Coffee is synonymous with Italianness all over the world, and it is no coincidence that we are among the most passionate consumers of this beverage, which is an integral part of the daily lives of millions of people. Italian coffee is a story of love and tradition, which has become part of the culture of the Bel Paese in a casual way, conquering sovereigns, nobles, people of the people and, finally, the whole rest of the world.

If there is one thing that manages to unite a land as multifaceted as Italy, it is coffee. Whether you drink it quickly before going to work or to chat at the bar with friends, or enjoy it leisurely at home, there is no denying that a true coffee culture is ingrained in the Bel Paese. Over time, coffee has become so important in the Boot that a university has even been established in Trieste dedicated to it, with the aim of popularizing the tradition and quality of this beverage. Italians‘ love for coffee has also been expressed through comedies, such as one by Carlo Goldoni entitled "La bottega del caffè," and songs especially of Neapolitan musical production.

The history of coffee in Italy begins at a specific date and place: in 1570 in Venice, when Prospero Alpino from Padua brought some sacks from the East. At first the drink was sold in pharmacies, but the high cost of the product made it an attraction especially for the wealthier classes while the moka is an all-Italian way of making espresso coffee. This definition is due to the desire to make it faster than the original Turkish way, which cooked the powder instead of filtering it, and also to reduce the waiting time in the old stores.

In Italy, the undisputed home of coffee is Naples, and it was here that the moka, the homemade way of preparing it and releasing that aroma that spreads throughout the house, was perfected. It was Angelo Moriondo who invented the little machine in 1884, but already in 1855 something similar had been presented at the Exposition Universelle in Paris. Through other prototypes we arrived in 1933 at the one that everyone uses today and which was invented by Alfonso Bialetti: he called it "Moka Express" and from aluminum, it was later manufactured in steel. The raw material for moka and bar stains can be found already ground.

The canonical bar coffee cups are usually white and made of ceramic, a material that can retain the heat of the drink for a long time, while helping to release the aroma of the coffee as you drink it. Super hygienic glass cups, which are easy to clean and manufactured without the use of chemicals, best if made with tempered glass because it is resistant to temperature changes, making it safe to wash even in dishwashers, which are very common in coffee shops.

Coffee cups in which espresso is drunk traditionally have a wide rim and a narrow base to accentuate the flavor, thus bringing all the aromas close to the nose and palate.

Nowadays, coffee cups for bars can also be customized; the more traditionalists can keep the classic white color perhaps by affixing the name or logo of their establishment to the cup.

The possibilities for customization are virtually endless and can be accomplished even for the household cups and mugs we use on a daily basis.

To distinguish the container from other family members, one can choose a personalized mug, an object capable of expressing one‘s interests or conveying messages in which one feels represented. To meet the needs of all family members or possible guests, it is best to diversify the types of mugs to keep in the house: some may prefer the mug, which is larger in size and can also be used for drinking tea and herbal teas. This type is also good in the morning if you like lattes for breakfast. They are not usually exploited for coffee alone, because the heat of the drink would immediately go away and the flavor would also be altered.

In fact, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry recently unanimously approved the candidacy of Italian espresso coffee for UNESCO‘s Intangible Heritage of Humanity lists. "In Italy, coffee is much more than just a drink," explained Undersecretary Gian Marco Centinaio, "it is a true ritual, an integral part of our national identity and an expression of our sociality that sets us apart in the world."

If there is one thing that the history of Italian coffee and its subsequent candidacy for UNESCO lists proves, it is that coffee culture is Italian culture: it is a testimony of people coming together and enjoying the little things in life; it is a testimony of generations of hard work and perseverance to perfect a craft that brings everyday people simple pleasures. Coffee culture is as Italian as espresso itself