Buzz
Enjoying coffee in this country is an art form.
Espresso
Espresso was crafted by Italians in 1884. In Italian, Espresso means “express”, signifying coffee that can be served to customers immediately.
This type of coffee is brewed under very high pressure. The gold standard is brewing it using a machine invented by Italians. The machine has a twisted copper tube. When water is pumped in, the copper tube system quickly heats the water to above 90, below 100 degrees Celsius. The pressure pushes the water rapidly through tightly packed coffee grounds in a filter and pours directly into a cup in just about 25 to 30 seconds. There must be a layer of golden brown foam called crema on top of the coffee, which is the standard for evaluating whether an Espresso shot is good or not.
Espresso is typically served in a pre-warmed thick cup, with a volume of about 40 ml. This coffee is very concentrated and has a much higher caffeine content than many other beverages.
Enjoying Espresso is an art form for Italians. They sip with one hand holding the cup and the other holding the saucer, inhaling the enticing aroma and downing the shot in just 3-4 sips. The whole process is quick yet concise, full of elegance.
If you're not accustomed to the bitterness, you can add sugar. But for connoisseurs, pure Espresso is the epitome of flavor and unforgettable richness.
Espresso is also used to make other coffee varieties like caffè latte, cappuccino, caffè macchiato, cafe mocha, caffè Americano.
Cappuccino
Cappuccino originates from Espresso but is more famous and beloved by many countries worldwide.
A cup of Cappuccino consists of three equal parts: Espresso brewed with double the amount of water (espresso lungo), hot milk, and frothed milk.
Professional Cappuccino makers are known as Baristas. Each Barista often has their own secret to crafting the perfect Cappuccino. Their skill is demonstrated in their ability to create milk foam.
The thick milk foam on top of a Cappuccino is created by forcefully steaming and frothing milk in a frothing pitcher. A sprinkle of cocoa powder or cinnamon on the foam adds aroma. While sprinkling, Baristas skillfully use stencils or spoons to create artistic designs.
The name of this beverage is said to derive from the attire of Capuchin monks. The brown color of their robes resembles that of a perfect Cappuccino.
Traditionally, Cappuccino is served in cups made of glass or porcelain, with a thick base and pre-warmed. In Italy, it's almost exclusively consumed during breakfast.
Latte Macchiato
Latte Macchiato is a hot beverage consisting of Espresso and milk, similar to a basic milk coffee but with more milk. Italians originally brewed this coffee for children to drink, but adults gradually became addicted to it as well. The caffeine content in Latte Macchiato is particularly low.
In Italy, people often enjoy Latte Macchiato in tall, thick-walled glass cups, with a substantial base. A proper coffee cup should consist of three distinct, clearly defined layers, poured sequentially without blending. Milk forms the first layer, followed by milk foam – the top layer. Finally, Espresso is poured into the glass, piercing through the layer of milk foam.
Cocoa powder, chocolate, or cinnamon is sprinkled on top for decoration and to create a fragrant aroma. Coffee shops always serve Latte Macchiato with biscuits.
Caffé Latte
Latte is made from Espresso and hot milk in a ratio of 1/3 coffee, 2/3 milk, with a thick layer of foam about 1 cm on top. Italians drink Caffé Latte in a large cup, even a bowl. This beverage is typically enjoyed during breakfast.
Caffé Latte is similar to the French Cafe Au Lait, except Cafe Au Lait has a ratio of one part milk to two parts coffee.
Additionally, if you visit Italy, you should try other coffee varieties like Corretto (with a few drops of liquor), Freddo (iced coffee), Americano (similar to American-style coffee but stronger, though not as strong as Espresso), Hag (caffeine-free coffee)…
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Source: Travel Handbook Mytour – Via Vnexpress
MytourJanuary 18, 2014
