The Culture of Caffè
Along the cobblestone streets of Rome, life bustles about on Vespas, Fiats, and the occasional Range Rover, fueled by caffè doppio and a prayer.
I found out how true this was when I was apprehended upon ordering what I thought was a typical Italian coffee from a petite nonna named Elisabetta.
“No, come on! Cappuccino? It’s 1PM. You can get an espresso.”
Italy is known for its culture of cuisine, in particular, the importance of espresso. For Americans, coffee consists of a quick cup of watered down espresso with maybe a splash of milk or a bit of sugar. In Italy, the culture of caffè is vastly different.
Roman mornings begin as the sun rises up over the Vatican. Typical colazione, or breakfast, consists of something sweet like a cornetto, a flaky pastry filled with jam or cream, or a maritozzo, a sweet bun split in half and filled with light whipped cream. Most importantly, colazione is usually accompanied by a coffee with milk like a cappuccino or a caffèlatte. Once the clock strikes 12, cappuccino is off the table.
Elisabetta works at a small coffee shop just behind Vatican City. The shop doesn’t have a name and lacks identifiable markers, but upon entering you’re hit by a wave of grinding espresso and baked goods.
In the mornings when I’m able to stop by, I try out my shaky Italian and Elisabetta tells me a bit about herself.
“Coffee is an expression,” she said, fingertips warming around a tiny mug of espresso and a splash of milk, a macchiato. “It gives a schedule to my day that I find reliable in my old age. It’s always there for me.”
Elisabetta urged me to buy a moka pot so I could experience, “the beauty of the bean.” While the stovetop in my apartment proved slightly difficult to maneuver, it was worth any struggle as I watched the espresso bubble up and form in a frothy dream in the top of the pot, with foamy layers of heaven just on the surface.
The tradition of coffee is a constant in Italy, as vital as any wine or pasta you might encounter. Not only is it a routine, it offers social opportunities for many Italians. Wander into any coffee shop in Rome and find locals leaning against the counter, laughing and chatting with their baristas, while downing shots of that gorgeous espresso.
It’s not just a drink; it binds people together and creates an opportunity for communities to grow.
If Italy has taught me anything, it’s to slow down and enjoy everything. Whether it’s your morning cup of coffee or an appertivo before dinner, breathing in for a moment and letting the espresso guide you is an incredible way to live life.
If I wasn’t religious before, espresso with a splash of milk at 2 PM might just make me convert.
