When I think of Italy, several wonderful sites and things come to mind. However, coffee stands out the most. Italy has created an unforgettable coffee culture that I have enjoyed thoroughly. While wandering the quaint streets of Florence, you may notice storefronts labeled “bar.” It may surprise you that an Italian bar is more similar to a café, rather than an American bar. There are some coffee ordering tips that I have learned while here in Italy, and I want to share them with you. For example, “un caffé” in the Italian language means “a coffee” in English, but when ordering un caffé, do not be alarmed if a tiny cup comes out with a strong, bitter liquid inside. This is called an espresso, the Italian version of coffee, made by a machine that shoots highly pressurized water through coffee grounds. Other coffee drinks sold at the bars include cappuccino, caffé latte, and caffé americano. A cappuccino is espresso with frothed milk. The new cafés can even make elaborate designs in your foam! According to Italian food rules, cappuccinos should never be ordered after 11am because it interferes with digestion. Sometimes, cravings take priority, and you just have to have that afternoon capp!
A caffé latte is one-part espresso and two parts milk. Make sure to say “caffé latte” when ordering because “latte” simply means milk in Italian. If you are looking for the closest version to American coffee, consider ordering a caffé americano. This drink consists of espresso with hot water. The ideal drinking temperature of any coffee drink is 60°C, or 140°F. Perfetto!
In my apartment, also known as the “nursing apartment,” we have a typical Italian coffee maker, called a Moka. I fill the bottom with water, add coffee grounds to the filter section, then set it on the stove. Although it does not produce the classic espresso served in bars, it makes coffee that many Italians drink before jetting off to work. In a few minutes, the bubbling sound and delicious smell prompts me to pour the steaming coffee from the Moka into my cup. Ahh…I feel like a true Italian.
[This blog post was composed by Kathryn Jamieson, a rising junior in the School of Nursing]