Parliamo di caffè!

Parliamo di caffè! 

Translates to “Let’s talk coffee!”

The first cup of espresso I made at home the Italian way. 

In the states we are so spoiled by convenience. Want coffee and don’t have time to brew your own cup? No problem, just swing by a Starbucks and pick up a cup. Here, in Italy we do not have this luxury. There is a coffee shop on base that sells Starbucks but it isn’t a drive thru and it isn’t Starbucks. Say you aren’t near the base and you want a good cup of coffee. Well, it isn’t going to be anything like an American cup of coffee that you are thinking of. It’s more like a shot of espresso. First things first you have to find a coffee shop. Go to google maps for fun and search coffee shops in Roveredo in Piano Italy and see how many come up. Then select one and check out their amazing hours. Okay I will do this for you. There are what appears to be several near me, look at all of the coffee cups on the map. I selected the top one on the list which is closest coffee shop to me. But again check out their hours. 

Several ways you can drink coffee here. I won’t pretend to know most of them since I have officially only ordered my own caffè one time. So do you want a cup of coffee or shot of espresso? Do you want it short or tall? If you order short you get a shot of espresso and if you order tall than you get what we call in America an Americano. You don’t see many tables of people sitting at coffee shops here. It’s more like a walk up to a bar height counter that doesn’t contain any chairs, order your coffee of choice, add the sugar or milk that’s on the bar, drink your drink and be on your way. Some people can milk theirs for some time but I am pretty sure mine goes down in one gulp. I have only seen one person ever walk out of a coffee shop here with a tiny 4 oz to go cup. 

One of my favorite things about coffee in Italy is the coffee vending machines. They are everywhere and only €0.50. 

I much prefer this to a Starbucks! 

Some machines drop these cute stirrers in the cup and other machines
you have to press a button and the machine will dispense one for you. 

When you get your nails or hair done they offer you a cup as well. I love this! 

Some of these coffee machines are strategically placed near kid play areas (for us Moms I am sure) and some at the exit inside stores. There are coffee machines hidden inside the Ikea stores that I never would have found if Mateo hadn't pointed them out. When I see these at the exit I walk in the store and out the exit for an espresso and then re-enter the store to shop. My favorite one to hit up is the one at the entrance to the commissary. Everyone knows they need this before shopping for groceries, especially with the kids. But one must be mindful that these coffee machines do not give you change. So like at Starbucks when you “Pay It Forward” in the drive thru I like to leave extra euro for the next person to enjoy a free espresso. I have seen it brighten the faces on many tired mothers. 

I have learned to appreciate my large American sized cup of coffee at home and anything I drink while out on the town is a caffeinated treat. 

Next time you are upset that your Starbucks drink wasn’t mixed right think about me over here in Italy drinking straight espresso from a vending machine, just drink your drink. You will survive, look at me. 

Thanks for reading, stay tuned for my next blog from Italy.