Authentic Italian Drinks

Italian drinks, of many different types, play an important role in Italy. Everyone, worldwide, knows and loves Italian Food. Afterall, who can resist a hot, crunchy crostini, a sinfully creamy plate of fettuccini alfredo-twirled, of course, not cut--or a generous slice of fresh-baked pizza? Not to Mention the gelato! But what about the signature drinks of Italy? If you haven't been there, you may be hard-pressed to come up with anything other than wine, but anyone who's spent any amount of time on "the boot" knows that the Italians take their beverages as seriously as their entrees. (And their appetizers...and desserts....)

In Italy, dinner is a social event that can easily last several hours, and it's customary to begin the festivities with an aperitif to stimulate the appetite. An aperitif may be a soft drink for the kids or the teetotalers in the crowd, but is most often wine, cocktails, or liqueurs. One of the most popular cocktails is the Bellini, a champagne-and-peach-puree concoction invented at Harry's Bar in Venice. Its pinkish hue calls to mind the colors used in toga paintings by its namesake, 15-century Italian artist Giovanni Bellini.

Also popular is the highly alcoholic (25% or so) Campari, a dark red bitters commonly enjoyed with soda water, wine or in cocktails. Citrus lovers may want to try the famous Limoncello, made in Southern Italy. This sweet, pale yellow drink is made from the zest of the lemons rather than the juice, so it is fruity without being sour. While traditionally served as a digestif, it can also be enjoyed as an aperitif. Other flavored liqueurs include Frangolino (strawberry), Maraschino (cherry) and Nocino (nut).

Once dinner is served, the wine begins to pour-and wine is, of course, an Italian specialty. Perhaps the most famous Italian wine is Chianti. Initially, this Tuscan wine was made from white grapes, but over the centuries evolved into the dry red wine that's sold today. It's usually consumed with heavy Pastas or red meat. For lighter dishes, such as Fish or seaFood, a dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio may be served. And of course, a sweet dessert wine such as Asti Spumante is always welcome with cake or biscotti!

Once the forks have been laid down, Italians like to indulge in a digestif, an after-dinner drink to aid digestion. Often, this once again takes the form of a liqueur, but those who don't drink alcohol-and indeed, even those who do-will enjoy experiencing the Italian passion for coffee. Like Americans, many Italians drink several cups of coffee a day. Caffe is what we might refer to as espresso: an eye-openingly strong shot of coffee served in a very small cup. Caffe can be ordered Hag (decaffeinated), con panna (with whipped cream) or con zucchero (with sugar).

For the more adventurous, caffe can be ordered corretto-that is, "corrected" with a spike of liqueur. Often this is cognac or nut liqueur, but can also be Bailey's, or the egg-based wine, Vov. And on a steamy summer day, few things are more refreshing than a caffe shakerato, which, amusingly, is just what it sounds like: a combination of espresso, sugar and ice which is shaken vigorously until foamy. Many bars even have a specialty house coffee drink. Like all of Italian cuisine, Italian beverages are meant to be savored!

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How Many Types of Coffee Bean Are There?

If you have shopped in a supermarket then you would be exposed to the coffee bean types that are showcased on its shelving. Based on that, there are easily 20-30 varieties of it.

So, you must be thinking if I would have the space to squeeze all those information into this article. Well, the fact is I would probably need only a few paragraPh Meter and the temperature cannot go beyond 20 degree Celsius.

In comparison, the second type of coffee that makes up the 30% of the coffee consumption can be grown in temperature as high as 27 degree Celsius and on almost any grounds. It is very hardy but coffee drinkers do not like the bitterness that is associated with this type of beans.

Its scientific name is Coffea Canephora and most of us know it by the name Robusta. This is considered to be inferior to Arabica and is seldom sold by itself. The only genre of products that has these beans by itself is processed or canned coffee that does not has a strong focus on the flavor of the beans.

The other uses for these beans are fillers for Arabica beans, which because of its higher pricing would usually be packed with a generous dose of Robusta to make it affordable to consumers.

If you read the labels in the supermarket, you would always see a brand name followed by the blend and the roasting method. Very rarely, you would see either type of beans by itself.

Then what about the Blue Mountains, Kenya AA or the Kona coffee? The fact is, all these are Arabica beans, but they are prized for the locality which they are being grown in. It is more of a brand rather than a type.

Take for example, the Jamaican Blue Mountains that is known for its mild flavor that has no bitter taste. This is possible because of the cool and misty climate that is exclusive to the blue mountain area.

So, folks looking for this particular taste would look for this range of beans. Similarly, Kenya coffee would have a different taste and so would the beans that are grown in other parts of the world.

Now you know that if you are talking about types of coffee beans, there are only two. But, if you are looking for brands of beans that come with its unique taste profile, there are many and it would take more than an article to categorize them.

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Italian Coffee - Drink For All Occasions

Italian Coffee - Drink For All Occasions

Many people enjoy a cup of coffee, whether it is their morning pick-me-up or an after dinner beverage. And Italian coffee is an essential part of the Italian lifestyle and meal plan. It could be the marketing campaigns, but when many people picture Italy, they picture a finely Dressed couple sipping coffee on a terrace.

And while the marketing may be a bit of an exaggeration, it does have some basis in reality. Take a walk down the streets of Milan, Rome, or other major Italian city and you are sure to see many people drinking Italian coffees while reading their paper or heading off to work.

Not An Italian Native

While certain Italian coffees may have earned international recognition, it is important to note that the coffee beans themselves do not come from Italy. The coffee that is so widely popular comes from beans grown elsewhere in the world. In order for coffee beans to thrive, they need a warm, humid climate that cannot be found along the Italian shores. Therefore the producers of Italian coffees are required to get their beans from along the equator, from places in Africa, the Americas, and Asia.

While Guatemala and Colombia are some of the more well known coffee producers, they do not do the bulk that Brazil does. Brazil produces the most of the Arabica beans that are produced in the region. The robusta beans come from the Asian producers, most commonly from India and Vietnam.

The Roasting Process

The Italian coffee that the world knows comes from the skillful roasting and blending that is done at the numerous coffee outlets throughout Italy. The raw beans are shipped in, and the roasted and blended according to the taste. From there the ground beans are left to the skills of the barista, who must control his coffee machine properly in order to get the superior coffee product that most consumers expect.

Coffee Machines

Many enthusiasts of Italian coffee will choose to brew their own at home. However, it takes a serious coffee drinker to afford the fancy equipMent that is commonly seen in coffee bars. Even if you have the money and the space to own a commercial machine, it takes years of skill to learn how to operate it properly to get a perfect cup. So if you are not planning on becoming a professional coffee barista, you ought to be able to get a decent cup of Italian coffee using a high quality machine designed for home use. Most of these are relatively easy to use and will allow you to get the most out of your beans without a lot of skill required.

Buying Beans

Of course if you are planning on brewing Italian coffee at home and do not live in Italy, finding the proper coffee beans can be a bit of a challenge. However, thanks to the internet, you can now order beans from around the world. For the best results, order in small quantities. Keep the coffee stored in Airtight container in a cool part of the kitchen. This will help to guarantee a fresh cup every time that you brew it.

italian coffee press

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