Italian Coffee Culture
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 6 January 2024
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The Italian coffee culture is an integral part of every-day life in the country and something that most people in the country are enthusiastic about. Almost everyone in Italy will have an opinion on the best coffee or tell you the best place in their city to drink it.
When you visit an Italian's home it's customary for them to offer you a coffee and it also provides one of the most sociable acts outside the home when you can go to a cafe for a quick catch-up. Some of the world's most famous coffee brands including Illy and Lavazza are based in Italy which is also home to the iconic moka. |
Caffè degli Specchi, Trieste
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The History of Coffee in Italy
Origins of coffee consumption in Italy can be traced back to 16th century Venice when it was first introduced into the Republic by a trader returning from the East. Coffee production was established later in Ethiopia and gradually became more widely diffused within the powerful Ottoman Empire.
Arguably the home of coffee in Italy is the city of Trieste which lies at the north-eastern corner of the Italian Peninsula on the Adriatic Coast. During the 18th century, Trieste was part of the Austrian Habsburg Empire and it was at this time that the city's port was used to import the beverage. After years of increasing popularity of the beverage, Trieste became firmly-established in the industry and some of coffee's most famous brand names were born here: most notably Illy.
In modern times, around 40% of Italy's considerable coffee is imported via Trieste and drunk in some of the city's most famous coffee houses including the Caffè degli Specchi (The Cafe of Mirrors).
Arguably the home of coffee in Italy is the city of Trieste which lies at the north-eastern corner of the Italian Peninsula on the Adriatic Coast. During the 18th century, Trieste was part of the Austrian Habsburg Empire and it was at this time that the city's port was used to import the beverage. After years of increasing popularity of the beverage, Trieste became firmly-established in the industry and some of coffee's most famous brand names were born here: most notably Illy.
In modern times, around 40% of Italy's considerable coffee is imported via Trieste and drunk in some of the city's most famous coffee houses including the Caffè degli Specchi (The Cafe of Mirrors).
Drinking coffee at the bar instead of sitting down
When Italians go for a coffee it's usually a much faster affair than happens in other countries. Typically, an Italian will enter the caffè, go to the till and order a coffee. By far the most popular choice is an espresso but it's usually just referred to as a "caffè", or a "caffè normale". The customer then proceeds to the bar and asks the barista for the chosen coffee: in some cafes you need to buy a ticket at a till first before going to the bar, but in some that extra step isn't necessary.
Whereas in some countries, the drinking of the coffee may be something that happens while sitting down, reading a newspaper or relaxing with friends, the vast majority of visits to an Italian cafe are very brief. It's usually a case of going to the bar, drinking your small (in terms of liquid volume) coffee and then being on your way again.
Whereas in some countries, the drinking of the coffee may be something that happens while sitting down, reading a newspaper or relaxing with friends, the vast majority of visits to an Italian cafe are very brief. It's usually a case of going to the bar, drinking your small (in terms of liquid volume) coffee and then being on your way again.
Coffee at home
Of course, it's not only in bars that coffee is consumed; part of the ritual of daily life for many people is to start the day with an espresso at home. Although there are a greater number of "fancy" coffee machines available to use at home, the vast majority of the population stick to the tried and tested method of the Moka.
One of the most distinctive sights of Italian life is the iconic shape of the Moka which goes by different names depending on the part of the country: in Naples for example it's called the machinetta which roughly translates as little machine. That iconic piece of kitchenware was first invented by Alfonso Bialetti in 1933 and despite all of the designs that have followed it, the Bialetti Moka is still by far the most popular tool used for making coffee at home in Italy.
One of the most distinctive sights of Italian life is the iconic shape of the Moka which goes by different names depending on the part of the country: in Naples for example it's called the machinetta which roughly translates as little machine. That iconic piece of kitchenware was first invented by Alfonso Bialetti in 1933 and despite all of the designs that have followed it, the Bialetti Moka is still by far the most popular tool used for making coffee at home in Italy.
Caffè Sospeso
Translating as "suspended coffee", the culture of Caffè Sospeso is one of the most beautiful traditions in Italy. Simply-put, you can enter a cafe, order and pay for your own drink, but then also pay for somebody else's. The tradition started in Naples and the idea was an act of charity for someone who might not be able to afford a coffee.
The donor would order the coffee, pay for it and then if somebody entered the cafe later that day enquiring if there was a Caffè Sospeso available, the barista would give it to them for free.
Suspended coffee refers to the fact that the drink isn't to be served right away, held over until later so to speak, rather than any different type of coffee. In most cases, the Caffè Sospeso is a regular coffee or espresso.
The donor would order the coffee, pay for it and then if somebody entered the cafe later that day enquiring if there was a Caffè Sospeso available, the barista would give it to them for free.
Suspended coffee refers to the fact that the drink isn't to be served right away, held over until later so to speak, rather than any different type of coffee. In most cases, the Caffè Sospeso is a regular coffee or espresso.
Famous Italian Cafes
There are few of the big chains such as Costa, Starbucks or Caffè Nero in Italy; instead most of the bars are operated as single, small businesses.
Gambrinus Naples
Caffè degli Specchi - Trieste
Gambrinus Naples
Caffè degli Specchi - Trieste
Famous Italian coffee brands
Illy - Trieste
Lavazza - Turin
Kimbo - Naples
Lavazza - Turin
Kimbo - Naples
