Types of Italian Coffee

If you are visiting Italy, you will want to check out the Italian coffee that is available there. Whether it is your morning pick-me-up, an after dinner drink, or simply something to enjoy mid-afternoon there are numerous varieties to choose from. Many Italians stop for coffee on their way to work, just as many Americans hit the local Starbucks. While you might not be getting up at 6 AM while on your vacation, you should still take the opportunity to enjoy a real coffee from one of the fancy machines.

Types of coffee

There are two main types of Italian coffee: caffe and caffe hag. Caffe is a strong coffee, similar to espresso, and has caramel-colored foam on top. Caffe Hag is the decaf version; it may also be labeled as decafinato. You can order these types of coffee any time of day. Drinks like cappuccino are not drunk by Italians after 11 AM, so if you see people drinking them in the afternoon it is likely a tourist bar.

Alterations

You can change how your Italian coffee is made by ordering a caffe lungo or a caffe ristretto. A caffe lungo is a long coffee, where there is more water added to make the coffee weak and bitter. It is also known as caffe Americano. Caffe ristretto is restricted coffee, where less water is added. The drink should be more concentrated, but not bitter.


Additions

If you enjoy Italian coffee or espresso there are numerous additions that you can add to it to personalize it to your tastes. These include:

o Caffe con panna - espresso with whipped cream

o Caffe con zucchero - espresso with sugar. In most places you will add sugar yourself, but in southern Italy you may have to order it sense zucchero if you do not like sweet coffee.

o Caffe corretto - coffee with a drizzle of liquor, often cognac or grappa.

o Caffe latte - Espresso with hot milk. However, if you are not at a tourist bar this could be milk or steamed milk.

o Caffe macchiato - coffee with just a stain of milk added to it.

o Cappuccino - a shot of espresso with steamed milk and foam.

o Latte macchiato - steamed milk stained with espresso.

Specialty Coffees

If you are thinking of something different but still want to try an Italian coffee, here are a couple suggestions:

o Bicerin - this Italian coffee is traditional in the area near Torino, and cannot be found outside of the Piemonte region. It features dense hot chocolate, espresso, and cream layered together.

o Café della casa - this is "house coffee" and would be the specialty of that particular coffee bar.

o Caffe freddo - cold or iced coffee

o Caffe shakerato - this is a combination of espresso, sugar, and a lot of ice (and in some cases a bit of chocolate syrup) shaken until frothy

Gourmet Italian Coffee

Italy, and the Italians in general, have been producing gourmet food and drink for ages. They have crafted the art of producing gourmet fare with classic and simple techniques. One delicious beverage they are known to have perfected is gourmet coffee. Italian roasts are known to have an intensely rich aromas with a lovely creamy taste. It is the perfect companion for a delicious slice of Tiramisu!

Not only are the known for roasts with rich aromas and creamy tastes, they are also known for powerful bursts and aromas of flavors that create an intense burst of flavor on the palate. One popular gourmet Italian coffee company is Bennoti. Bennoti specializes in four distinct flavors for true espresso flavor: Bennoti Classico, Bennoti Gran Aroma, Bennoti Long Cap & Bennoti Decaffeinato.

Bennoti Classico is the perfect espresso with an intense aroma and dreamy, almost milky taste to it. This is the perfect flavor for those who love the best of both worlds - intense and creamy in the same cup! Bennoti Gran Aroma is for serious coffee drinkers. Those people who enjoy a black cup of coffee with the utmost intensity. Bennoti Long Cap is for someone who loves a bit sweeter cup of coffee. It is also intense, however it is layered with sweeter notes. Bennoti Decaffeinato is a rich blend without all the caffeine. Something for every taste is offered by Bennoti!

Even Starbucks offers a Ready Brew Coffee with an Italian Roast. It is a 100% Arabica coffee with the dark and delicious Italian roast. Keurig also offers a Prima Italian Roast Coffee that is a bold brew, a flavorful and dark roast with hints of rip fruit and berries. It has a subtle taste of smokiness, and a smooth finish. As I am a total Keurig fanatic and lover, I think I'm going to purchase this coffee right away!

Overall Italian gourmet coffee is one for people who love big flavor and bold notes. The aromas are intense and robust with wonderful flavor that lingers on the palate. I believe this coffee is made for people who truly appreciate the finer things in life. I think this is the perfect coffee for cold winter mornings or to serve with a sweet dessert such as Tiramisu, chocolate mousse and Creme Brulee. As the holidays are right around the corner I plan to purchase an Italian blend to serve for impromptu parties and gatherings with friends and family!

The Benefits of an Italian Coffee Maker

Since time in memorial, Italy has been known to be the best place to enjoy a great cup of coffee. Most coffee lovers find themselves going to an Italian coffee house to enjoy the beverage. However, with the advanced development in technology, we are no longer confined to the Italian coffee houses anymore. The development of the Italian coffee maker has enabled people to enjoy a great cup of coffee everyday, for less money and from the comfort of their homes. This brewer has gained its popularity all over the world because of its many benefits.

To start with, many people have found themselves saving more time when preparing their morning cup of coffee. This is because with the timed/ programmable models, all that you need to do is set the timer, put the water and coffee beans then go to bed. They will automatically go on at the set time, which should be minutes before you wake up, and shut themselves off when the brewing process is done. This has helped more people to be punctual and also avoid the morning rush.

In spite of the Italian coffee maker being relatively expensive, there are very economical. This is because with a coffee maker in the house, you get to say goodbye to your daily expensive visits to the Italian coffee houses. The brewer makes good coffee which is similar to the one you get from a coffee shop. Moreover, its inbuilt features help cut on electricity cost since when the brewing is done, they will shut themselves off and retain the heat of the coffee for a longer time meaning you will not have to keep on heating your coffee again.

Their ability to maintain heat for a longer period of time is another benefit that has gained it a lot of popularity. Once you have completed your coffee brewing, you can carry it with you for a picnic or drink it at a later time and still have it hot. This has helped more people to carry their coffee to their places of interest without the fear of it getting cold on the way.

The Italian coffee maker is self contained. That is, whatever you need, it is provided for. It has a sieve to filter the water you pour in it, an auto shut off feature to turn it off when the brewing is complete and a thermal field that maintains the heat of your coffee for longer. This are features that you will not get from other makers and which makes it stand out from the rest.

Finally, other than its wide variety of colors, the coffee maker is durable so as to serve you for longer. It is basically made of a stainless steel which is not subject to rust and it is strong to serve you for longer. This enables one to carry it around and use it without the fear of breaking it or damaging its internal features. This feature makes it worth the cost.