Drink Coffee Like an Italian

One of my side projects this summer was to create a bunch of articles for a re-branded website all about Italy. So I turned on the old thought generator the first night while laying in bed and went deep into my world of words. What did I know about Italy? What things have been revealed about the country and their culture, habits, etc? And more specifically, what hasn't been written.

Then it came to me. No one has ever written about coffee in Italy.

The coffee at Castel Sant'Angelo is good, but expensive because of the excellent views provided.

Knowing I had the edge on my competitors, I jumped out of bed hastily in the middle of night to turn on the computer. My glasses reflected the bright login screen like a mirror and I slid easily onto the plastic chair because of my silk suit pajamas.

Before any brilliance could be accomplished, of course, I had to have a drink nearby like all the other professional writers in the world.  So I got up, lit the stove and set the tea kettle to it's task. A few minutes later, my friend, Earl Grey, and I finally sat down together. I slid back into the chair slippery as ice, opened the word processor and stared at the blinking black cursor. No words came to me, so I looked at my tea for inspiration while it sat on the local pub's borrowed beer coaster. Still nothing. Then I looked down at the distinguished, paisley pattern of my pajama suit.

The connecting powder puff ball of my silk night cap slid off its comfortable nook above and bounced off my nose, covering my eyes. I pushed it out of the way, slightly agitated, and like a blind person seeing for the first time the enlightened path of my story revealed itself.

See the epic article here - http://www.made-in-italy.com/italian-food/news/the-four-coffees-daily-ritual

And if you are in Rome, make sure to get the Best Coffee in Rome, near the Pantheon.

After that, consider purchasing some vintage paisley silk pajamas with night cap. Happy Italian coffee drinking!

A hotel near Trento, Italy makes the happiest cappuccino in Italy.

Best Coffee in Rome?

Sant’ Eustachio Il Caffe.  One of the few places in Rome that actually roast their own coffee beans.  Also one of the few coffee places in Rome that actually get described as being the BEST. 

After hearing from my Rome expert that Sant’Eustachio was nearby and that they are considered the BEST coffee in Rome, I said I had to try this for myself. 

I’ve been a fan of the flavor of coffee since I was in elementary school.  At that time, my parents might have given me a sip or two of extra “corrected” coffee so it basically tasted like a candy due to the milk and sugar.  Once my palette developed, I grew fond of both their bitter qualities when tasted “black” and of course, I never lost my appreciation for a sweetened coffee. 

So when we stepped foot inside this bustling coffee shop, we got in line to pay for due caffe, two coffees, grabbed our receipt, walked it over to the other side of the room and waited for an opening at the long counter so the barista could make our macchiati, espressos touched with a little frothy milk. 

Here’s what we got.

Looks pretty good, right?  But espresso is usually so much brighter than coffee, more acidic, and many times its taste is rich, almost powerful with deep, roasted flavors.  That means I usually want sugar added to it. 

But where is it?  I can’t find it anywhere near me.

I look down the bar and my eyes widen with surprise.  

Forget finding sugar.  Are those two people ACTUALLY drinking cappuccinos?  Wait, what time is it? 

Almost 1:30 in the afternoon (13.30)???  FOR SHAME!  No respectable Italian would be caught in public ordering a cappuccino after 10:30 in the morning. 

Thankful that I was taught this important piece of etiquette, I continued looking for the sugar until a sign very obviously posted said that sugar was added unless you requested it without when you order with the barista.

So I dove into my machiatto with an eager tongue to see if Sant’ Eustachio was all it was cracked up to be.

Mmmmmmmmmmm.  The touch of frothy milk on top really adds to it.  Balances the acidic nature of the espresso very well.  But even then, the dark caffeinated fuel was quite balanced as is.  It still had wonderful roasted flavors to it, and combined with the almost brown-colored raw cane sugar, notes of molasses were infused into the bottom of my drink.  Indeed, this was a wonderful coffee.

The question is, was it the best?  I can’t say with certainty that my experience was the best.  It is VERY crowded in there due to popularity.  And I usually like to control how much sugar goes in my drink.  I also haven’t been to every coffee shop in Rome.  However, the taste was superb and it is very possibly the best I’ve had so far. 

When in Rome, put up with the crowds and give Sant’ Eustachio’s macchiato a try.  It’s near the Pantheon for sightseeing.  A good coffee in Rome always hits the spot.