Of all the vast and extensive histories Italy holds, its history with coffee is one of its most dynamic and diverse. Italy’s coffee journey started in the early-to-mid18th century, when the first coffee house opened in Venice. From then on, a story of refinement and innovations followed, guiding us towards the Italian coffee blends that are widely enjoyed today.
By the 18th century, coffee had begun to lose its status as a luxury for the elite, and had grown in popularity across the country. The invention of the modern espresso machine in 1901 by Luigi Bezzera paved the way for espresso as a staple of Italian coffee culture. The bite-sized beverage came to reflect changing times as the country began increasingly to adopt a fast-paced lifestyle. Italians would enter espresso bars to sip their coffees in a matter of minutes before carrying on with their day- a brief yet communal cultural experience that exists in the country to this day.
Italy is known for its love of darker roasts that reflect the richness of their culinary tastes. These roasts, which have been tweaked and perfected over centuries, caramelise the natural sugars found within the beans to bring out chocolatey, nutty flavours and a smooth texture that make for quick and easy drinking. With beans sourced from South America, Africa, and Asia, different blends can experiment with different flavours. While Northern regions of Italy prefer lighter roasts, southern regions such as Naples err towards darker, smokier roasts with depth of flavour and intensity.
Specialty coffee and signature blends continue to grow in their appeal as independent Italian coffee shops gather loyal followings. In large cities such as London, the faced-paced lifestyle that the Italian espresso was designed for is fully-fledged. Authentic coffee shops are acutely aware of this, and even offer their signature blends to customers for home brewing.
Italy itself is setting trends by overseeing a rise in new roasting styles and single-origin options. Modern brewing methods are being used to bring in a new wave of coffee-drinkers who like to build on tradition and embrace artisanal techniques. Hand in hand with a new generation of coffee-drinkers comes a rise in sustainability concerns. Evidence of ethical sourcing and fair trade practices, along with organic growing methods, are increasingly desirable in today’s socio-political climate, and pressure is on coffee shops of all size and origin to adhere. Compostable coffee pods, recyclable and bulk packaging are all methods that modern day Italian coffee shops are implementing to meet consumer demand for environmentally friendly practices.
The speed and convenience of the espresso remains relevant today, aligning with our culture of immediate gratification and need for quick fixes. While brewing methods and attitudes to coffee drinking and culture continue to evolve, it remains unlikely that the traditions forged in Italy over the past couple of centuries will fail to outlast.
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