In the mood for coffee

In a small cold room up in the mountain, we had a class on the history of luxury. While talking about the evolution and presentation of luxury, the important status of coffee naturally came up. Of course, where else would be a better place to discuss this other than Italy?

Coffee was first introduced to the aristocracy and then gradually made accessible to the bourgeois. Different from alcohol, coffee represent intellectual and independence, it keeps people awake and alert. The Café Literal where people used to have a cup of coffee and read on a quite afternoon gradually gained its popularity. The coffee house culture has become a social activity, a place for friends gathering and even dating.

Do you feel love in your coffee?

As we are in the best place for coffee, I have developed the habit to have my expresso every morning, afternoon and even after dinner. In Italy, there are no Starbucks, and people will stare at you in shock if you ask for a "coffee to go". Here are some popular types of coffee

Caffè - In Italy the word “caffè’” naturally implies an espresso.

Caffè Macchiato –  In Italian, macchiare means to “stain” – and this espresso in a demitasse cup is stained with some hot milk, probably frothed, though no attention is placed on serving foam. This is not a mini-cappuccino.

Caffè Macchiato Freddo – An espresso served in a demitasse cup with cold or lukewarm milk on the side. It looks like a normal caffè next to a carafe of milk. 

Cappuccino - No need for explanation,  Probably the most well-known and loved coffee drink

Marocchino - It is a shot of espresso served in a glass demitasse (for aesthetic reasons), with a sprinkling of cacao (added either before or after the milk, sometimes both!) and milk foam spooned on top.

Latte Macchiato – Milk “stained” with coffee, and served hot in a glass cup as shown or in a tall glass, larger than a cappuccino.

Caffè Corretto – An espresso in a demitasse cup, with a “shot” of liquor of your choice.

There's also Caffe doppio, caffe freddo, caffee lungo, caffè HAG...

I am about to start the journey to explore all the good cafes in Florence one by one. The ones on my list are:

Pasticceria Donnini --  Piazza della Repubblica

Gilli  --  Piazza della Repubblica

La Loggia -- Via del Corso

Patrizio Cosi -- Borgo degli Albizi