Question 1

What Makes Italian Coffee So Good?

Accepted Answer

Many factors go into the perfect cup of coffee. In some countries, this means a cup of sweet, filtered coffee. In Italy, this means a perfectly simple espresso.

Question 2

Does Everything Taste Better In Italy?

Accepted Answer

Italian baristas and cooks, both in and out of the home, emphasize fresh ingredients, good tastes, and the right (generally traditional) methods for cooking. This means that when real Italian food is placed in front of someone who is used to the overprocessed, automated products that are so common in countries like the United States, the deliciousness can be almost overwhelming.

Question 3

Why Is Italian Coffee Called Espresso?

Accepted Answer

The word _espresso_ means _fast_ in Italian, and a traditional espresso shot takes a mere thirty seconds to brew, from start to finish. This is very fast! Espresso was originally just a really fast way of getting coffee to a lot of people. Tradition has it that this was to help flagging workers continue about their day after only a short break.

Question 4

What Is the History of the Espresso Machine?

Accepted Answer

The first espresso machine produced was in the early 1900s. It was created by Luigi Bezzera and made famous by Desidero Pavoni. Now, espresso machines are available everywhere, though they're generally a fair bit more expensive than a standard drip coffee maker, at least if you live outside of Italy.

Question 5

How Do Italians Take Their Coffee?

Accepted Answer

Italian coffee drinkers generally consider espresso standard. In fact, if you order a coffee in an Italian coffee bar, you're probably going to get a plain (but good!) espresso shot.

Question 6

What's the Difference Between Espresso and Drip Coffee?

Accepted Answer

In the United States and much of the world, coffeehouses serve both espresso and drip coffee. To many, these drinks couldn't be more different.

Question 7

Can I Get Drip Coffee In Italy?

Accepted Answer

Drip coffee isn't served in Italy. However, you can get fairly close by ordering an Americano. The casual coffee drinker might not even notice the difference. An Americano is made by adding water to an espresso shot, enough to create the 6-8oz, a more watered-down cup of coffee.

Question 8

Are All Italian Coffee Beans Espresso Roasts?

Accepted Answer

All coffee produced in Italy is likely destined for espresso, so in that way, yes, all Italian coffee beans are espresso roasts.

Question 9

What Italian Coffee Can I Buy Elsewhere?

Accepted Answer

You can buy a lot of Italian coffee in other countries. Be aware that it'll be a good deal less fresh than if you buy it straight from a bar in Italy! However, there are two brands of Italian coffee widely available that are consistently listed as the best brands of Italian coffee: Illy and Lavazza. These are available ground and in pods for certain espresso makers.

Question 10

Do Italians Drink Lattes and Other Espresso Drinks?

Accepted Answer

Italians do drink lattes and other espresso drinks. However, they don't get nearly as fancy as some places, with the idea that simple is good.

Question 11

Can I Get Italian Espresso From My Keurig?

Accepted Answer

You can get a drink called Italian espresso from your Keurig, but whether it tastes like Italian espresso will depend on your tastes and experiences. For many people, coffee pods end up much too watered down, which is particularly blasphemous if you're trying to get a drink that's traditionally freshly-ground and highly concentrated.

Question 12

Do I Need an Expensive Espresso Machine?

Accepted Answer

Espresso machines are generally a bit pricier than standard drip coffee machines. However, as long as it's an espresso machine, you don't need anything fancy to get a good cup of espresso. The more expensive machines generally aim to make it easier, with less training or practice required, so a lot of this comes down to how much work you're willing to put in and how much control you want over your shot of espresso.