Why are Italians so obsessed with coffee?

Italians are known all over the world for their passion for coffee. But where does this obsession come from?

The answer lies in the history of coffee in Italy. This beverage was introduced to Europe in the 16th century, but wasn’t that popular until Italians took the lead.

In the 17th century, the first cafés opened in Venice and then in Florence, Rome and Naples. These meeting places quickly became popular with intellectuals, artists and traders. Cafés were unique places where people could meet, discuss and exchange ideas (some of them, reeeeeally revolutionary).

Coffee was also widely used in medicine, since many believed that it had healing properties. In the 18th century, coffee became an essential ingredient in Italian pastry, with the creation of desserts such as Tiramisu.

Today, coffee is an essential part of our daily life. This drink accompanies breakfast, lunch and dinner, but it’s often (very often) consumed in between meals. That’s the very definition of “pause”. We don’t have breaks. When we say break, we really mean coffee break.

In Italy, coffee is served in small cups called "tazzine" and is often consumed standing up at the bar counter. And it’s not just espresso!
From "ristretto" (a very short and strong espresso) to "lungo" (a longer and less intense espresso), from “marocchino” (with cocoa and milk foam) to “corretto” (with a liqueur of your choice), there are so many ways to enjoy it!

As you can see, our love story with this beverage started very long ago, and it features many interesting anecdotes, like that time that the Pope...
You know what? We’re going to tell you that story another time.

Stay tuned to find out more about our crazy world!