ENJOY COFFEE WITH ITALIAN STYLE (PART 1)

Italy – one of the cradles of Coffee Culture in the world, it will be the norm if you are standing next to the bar and enjoy a cup of Espresso quickly. Italian coffee culture is interesting and worth to explore. If you love and still often enjoy a cup of Cappuccino, Latte or Espresso, surely you will want to learn everything about how to drink coffee in this southern European country.

1. Italian coffee is diverse

• Espresso

Italian espresso was invented in 1884. In Italian, Espresso is  “express”, meaning that coffee can be served to the customer immediately.

Italian people usually drink Espresso with a thick cup heated before, capacity about 40ml. This coffee is very condensed and higher caffeine than other beverages. Drinking espresso is an art of Italian people. They usually enjoy a cup of Espresso with a hand holding the cup and holding the disk by another one. You can sniff the seductive aroma while drinking in just only 3-4 gulfs. The whole process is fast but neat and full of elegance.

Espresso is made from hot water compressed in high pressure

If you are not familiar with the bitter taste, you can add sugar. But for connoisseurs, the true pure Espresso is stronger.

Espresso con panna with a little of fresh milk on top

• Cappuccino

Cappuccino is sourced from Espresso but it is more and more popular around the world.

A cup of Cappuccino consists of three equal parts: Espresso made with a double amount of water (Espresso Lungo), steamed milk and frothing milk.

The Cappuccino professional bartenders are called Barista. Each Barista usually has their own secrets to prepare the most delicious Cappuccino. Barista workmanship is reflected in the ability to create foam. Thick frothing milk on a cappuccino cup was created by powerful steam jet stirred in a bottle of fresh milk. On the surface of foam is sprinkled with a little cocoa powder or cinnamon powder to increase the flavor. While in Iraq, the Barista will use molds or spoon to make pattern.

Cappuccino with lovely art on the surface

The name Cappuccino is said to come from the name of the Capuchin monks. Color of the monk’s large-sleeved ceremonial robe is similar to the brown of a perfect cup of cappuccino.

As usual, Cappuccino is served in the thick cups made of stone or porcelain and it is heated before. In Italy, people usually drink this coffee at breakfast.

Cappuccino is only used at breakfast

• Macchiato

Macchiato is made more simply than Cappuccino. To get Macchiato, the waiter will add some frothing steamed milk on the surface of Espresso cups.

• Latte Macchiato

Latte Macchiato is a kind of hot beverages including espresso and milk like milk coffee but basically more milk. Initially, Italian people make this type of coffee for children, but the adults are gradually addicted. Caffeine in Latte Macchiato is particularly low.

Latte Macchiato in high and thick glass

People usually drink Latte Macchiato with high and thick glass. A correct standard coffee cup consists of three distinct layers, in turn poured without mixing with each other: Milk is the first layer, then the foam – the highest layer. Finally, Espresso is poured into a glass through the foam layer.

Latte Macchiato with biscuit

Cocoa powder, chocolate or cinnamon is sprinkled on top to decorate and create the fragrance. The coffee shop serves Latte Macchiato always accompanied biscuits.

• Latte

Latte, like Cappuccino, is a blending of espresso, steamed milk and frothing milk at the rate: 1/3 coffee, 2/3 milk and about 1-cm frothing milk on the top layer. If as in Cappuccino steamed milk and frothing milk is the same, then with Latte, Frothing milk is only half the steamed milk only. This also explains why a cup of Latte looked less fluffy than Cappuccino.

Latte in a large cup or bowl

Also, when calling Latte, you will be served coffee in a cup rather large, even with a bowl instead of a thick cup of Cappuccino.

(to be continued)