Coffee is a huge part of Italian culture. It is more than just a morning boost of energy and keeping their eyes open, but it has become their way of life. When coffee was introduced in the 1500s, Italy took the front seat in the coffee making when creating its authentic, unique blends.

And today, the whole world is enjoying real Italian coffees and making them a part of their daily lives. The popularity of Italian coffee is that it provides smooth and velvety flavor to the different variants of coffee blends.

Here are some of the Italian coffee types that are popularly known worldwide that you already might taste to understand better how good these blends of coffee are.

Caffè Espresso

Espresso is meant to be consumed quickly. It is why you can notice that it is offered to customers in a single shot. The main goal of making this type of Italian coffee is to provide a boost of energy throughout the day in one shot.

Espresso can have a more concentrated level of caffeine per ounce, which is why you must be cautious in consuming it. This Italian coffee is also widely known as Caffè in Italy. So next time, if you want to look sophisticated, order a Caffè and not espresso as both are the same, especially if you are ordering in Italy.

Caffè Ristretto

Ristretto is an espresso that is very short or a â€restrained†restrained shot. It is a single shot of espresso with a higher concentration. The process produces a great balance of sweetness and bitterness that will surely wake your taste buds.

Its aroma is also stronger due to its high concentration, crafted out from Italy’s finest coffees. In addition, it is blended with only half the amount of water espresso used, which gives it its intense coffee taste and aroma and makes it a strong Italian coffee drink.

Caffè Doppio

Caffè Doppio is just a double shot, about 1.5 oz, of espresso in one cup. If a single shot of espresso does not give you the energy you need to keep your day going, then it is better to order Caffè doppio.

This type of espresso will surely fill you with the energy you need the entire day running errands and meeting deadlines.

The double dose of espresso will give you a bitter and strong flavor profile. Because of its intense flavor, Caffe doppio is typically paired with Panettone. The Panettone’s sweet and spicy taste balances the strong bitterness of Caffe doppio very well.

Caffè Macchiato Caldo

If espresso alone can be too intense for your palate, then you might want to consider trying Caffe macchiato. It is a shot of espresso with an added creaminess from a dollop of milk foam.

Caffee macchiato is best for individuals who find espresso too strong yet do not want to drink coffee with a lot of milk in it.

Compared to a latte and a cappuccino, macchiato uses only a small amount of milk. It is the reason why Italians consider drinking Caffè macchiato any time of the day. This blend of coffee has been considered as one of the great coffee classics of Italian bar breakfast.

Although Caffe macchiato is just a simple blend of espresso and hot whipped milk, it still needs a lot of practice to perfect its preparation. However, if you want to taste the Italian culture in a cup without the bitterness and overpowering milk taste, then the Caffe macchiato is the best blend for you.

Caffè Cappuccino

The most popular coffee drink in Italy is a cappuccino. Of course, espresso is still the base of this coffee but with a creamy and mild taste due to the added equal amounts of milk and foam. Caffè cappuccino is best consumed at home or as you linger at the coffee bar.

Made in thirds — 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, 1/3 foam. This is a very traditional way of making cappuccino. The milk should appear glassy, smooth, shiny, and with no visible bubbles. The milk and foam should be blended or mixed to create a thick, creamy texture. La Colombe pulls double ristretto shots.

Caffè Latte

Caffè latte is another go-to coffee of most coffee lovers when they visit coffee bars. This coffee blend is a bit the same as the cappuccino. The slight difference will be the coffee to milk ratio.. Latte is a bit richer, consisting of more milk and less foam compared to cappuccino.

Due to the latte’s creaminess and lightness, it is typically consumed on its own or paired with cannoli or biscotti. However, you can see most people enjoying only a caffè latte on the glass as they chat with friends or read the daily news.

Barbajada

A pride of Milan, Italy, Barbajada is a blend of coffee that consists of freshly brewed espresso, milk, and flavored with cocoa. The entire symphony of richness, creaminess, and flavor of the coffee blend is brought together by the topped whipped cream.

Because of what the blend consists of, Barbajada is considered a dessert coffee drink. However, if you want to play it safe with coffee, you will love the frothiness and sweetness of the Milanese Barbajada coffee blend.

Caffè Mocha

Caffè Mocha is a traditional Italian coffee and can be considered as a real Italian Coffee. This coffee drink is made using Moka, a traditional coffee pot of Italians that Angelo Bialetti invented in 1933.

This coffee pot has three parts: the bottom, filled with water, a filter where you put the ground coffee, and the top part, which you can screw to the bottom part.

The coffee pot will then go on the stove to brew the coffee ground. It is then removed from fire as soon as the top part is filled up and the pot started to hiss. This coffee drink can only be enjoyed at home as you can not order Caffè Moka at a coffee bar.

Caffè Moka is an important part of the Italian coffee culture, making it one of the must-try Italian coffee. You will taste the Italian coffee culture at every sip of the Caffè Moka.

Although you cannot find it in coffee shops, your Italian host will gladly make one for you. Or, you can buy your own Moka and create your own Caffè Moka at home.

Caffè Shakerato

The next Italian coffee you will come across is the Caffè shakerato. This blend of coffee is achieved by mixing coffee and ice into a cocktail shaker and shaking it to mix well. This drink is presented on a martini glass, so it is the best style coffee drink that you can enjoy with class.

It is best enjoyed during the hot summer days because of its refreshing nature thanks to the added ice. Moreover, the barista who will prepare your Caffè Shakerato will ask you if you want to add sugar to the drink or not. Whatever you prefer, the Caffè Shakerato tastes good as it is.

Caffè Lungo

Another variety of espresso is the Caffè Lungo. It is a single shot espresso created with more water. You can state how lungo you want it to be, and the barista can add a little more water into the blend. It is another way to enjoy Italian espresso without the strong coffee taste.

You can enjoy the Caffè Lungo or also called long coffee, with or without sugar. In most coffee bars, you can notice the pile of sugar on the counter. Here you can decide whether you want to go sweet or you prefer a bitter Caffè Lungo.

Caffè Decaffeinato

If you want to smell the coffee’s aroma and want to bathe your taste buds with its taste but do not want to consume caffeine, then the Caffè Decaffeinato is your thing. It is a decaffeinated coffee that you can enjoy with your caffeine addict friends.

You will never be out of place again with this version of coffee. For example, if you are traveling to Italy, you can order for un caffè deca, and the barista will instantly know you want a decaffeinated coffee.

There is no need to fret as no one will judge you if you choose this type of coffee. Caffè Decaffeinato is widely available in Italy for anyone who wants to order.

Caffè Corretto

Caffè Corretto means correct coffee. This coffee blend consists of one single shot of espresso with an added alcohol, usually Baileys, Grappa, Rum, or Sambuca. This type of Italian coffee is ordered from 5 pm onwards as it is best enjoyed after a delicious dinner.

Caffè Corretto is also a good drink to aid digestion, not to mention that it is a delicious party in a cup. So you will surely enjoy a cup of Caffè Corretto after a long day of work or end your week with a bang with this Italian coffee blend.

Marocchino

Another coffee blend you will find in Italy is the Marocchino. The Marocchino is like a cross-breed of cappuccino and a cup of hot chocolate drink. This coffee drink is a velvety and rich coffee taste with a hint of strong cocoa flavor.

This is a great combo of coffee and chocolate, which makes it one of the dessert coffee that is famous in Italian bars. In addition, it is a great break for your daily strong coffee blends, which still gives you a strong yet velvety coffee and cocoa flavor.

Marocchino has a similarity with Barbajada but minus the whipped cream on top. Instead, it is served on a cup sprinkled with cocoa powder.

As you can notice, Italian coffees are a bit complicated. You can see coffee drinks that seem like the same, but you will perceive the difference as you taste the coffee. But the important aspect of all the coffee crafted by Italians is that it possesses the culture they want to share with the world.

The History of Italian Coffee

The history of coffee begins in Ethiopia, where it was said to be discovered by a goat herder. His goat becomes energetic the entire day and would not want to sleep at night after consuming a specific type of berry.

The goat herder reported what he discovered to the abbot in their local monastery, who created a drink out of the said berry.

The abbot noticed that he is full of energy after consuming the drink he made and keeps him alert throughout the long hours of evening prayers.

The word about the said drink quickly spread as the abbot shared this discovery with the monks in their monastery. Finally, the news about coffee reached the Arabian peninsula, which initiates the journey of coffee to Italy and the entire world.

The cultivation and trading of coffee started in the Arabian Peninsula short after the word reached their ears. During the 15th century, the Yemen district started growing coffee trees and become known in Persia, Egypt, Turkey, and Syria by the 16th Century.

As the popularity of coffee has become very significant in the Arabian Peninsula, the word about this bitter dark drink reached Europe.

As soon as it reaches the continent of Europe, it rapidly becomes popular. After that, however, suspicion and fear about the drink started, and they refer to it as the “bitter invention of Satan.”

Because of the controversy, then Pope Clement VIII intervened and took a sip of this dark beverage. The Pope finds it satisfying where he made the drink papal approved.

After the approval, coffee continues its journey from the Ethiopian plateau up to today, where coffee has become a staple of everyone’s breakfast worldwide.

The history of Italian coffee, on the other hand, started in Venice, Italy, in 1570. Paduan Prospero Alpino arrived from the east who brought sacks of coffee beans to Venice. The first consumers of coffee in Italy were the wealthiest citizens as it was sold expensively at the time.

Back then, you can only purchase coffee beans from pharmacies at a high cost. However, even with its high cost, the growth of the coffee industry was not hindered. In a short period, the popularity of coffee has increased throughout Italy.

When the year 1763 arrived, Venice holds about 218 coffee shops. Then, Italians started reinventing coffee and start making their own unique blend. Today, these Italian coffee blends are loved by Italians and all the coffee lovers from different walks of life around the world.

Enjoy A Cup With Us

Do you want to experience and feel the aroma of Italian coffee without going to Italy? You can stop by and taste the best Italian dark roasted espresso blend at Rifugio’s Country Italian Cuisine. Enjoy its enhanced full-bodied and sweet flavor from its Southern Italian dark notes as you enjoy the scenery of Mount Baker Highway.