I'm one of the rare ones who don't need a cup of coffee first thing in the morning to get the day going. That said, I do love an occasional morning cappuccino and the ritual of a Sunday latte, but even then, it's (gasp!) decafinato. My nerves simply can't handle the caffeine. And yet, when in Italy, something feels different. Most people who are using gluten intolerant and can't eat pasta can handle the real thing there. Why is that? Maybe it's the quality of ingredients. Maybe it's because we linger a little longer at the table, people watching and talking. Time feels a bit more liminal and we don't feel the additional anxious rush that we normally do at home.
When in Italy, I seek out neighborhood cafes, preferably tucked away in quiet corners, not over run with tourists. One exception is a little corner café in Rome called Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè. You can smell the coffee wafting into the piazza before you see it. The café has been around since the 1930s, and it’s a Roman institution, beloved by locals and travelers alike. No Starbucks-style choices or sugary syrups on the menu. Just good coffee, pulled by the seasoned barista who has made tens of thousands of espresso with a steady, practiced hand. You can grab a seat on the sidewalk cafe tables, though you may have to wait, or you can stand at the counter, al banco. It's how the locals take their morning espresso and catch up on the local gossip, and it will cost you less. In Italian culture, coffee is more than a beverage; it's a social affair. One of the many daily rituals the Italians indulge in as a way of living a beautiful life.
As the warm weather approaches, I can't help think of one the most iconic coffee desserts. Affogato, meaning “drowned” in Italian, is an Italian dessert, or afternoon treat, that pairs a shot of espresso with vanilla gelato (or ice cream). So simple as is, but made extra delicious and rich with a generous spoonful of Bella Cucina Dolci di Latte Caramel Sauce. This is definitely one recipe and ritual I'd show up for anytime, anywhere.
Mangia Bene,
x Alisa