TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Piedmontese Coffee Types
Cappuccino is an Italian coffee made with espresso and steam-foamed milk. It is believed that it developed from kapuziner—a coffee-based beverage that was enjoyed in Austrian coffee houses in the 18th century. The first mention of the word cappuccino in Italy dates back to the 1930s, but at the time the drink was topped with whipped cream, and later it gained its current form with the invention of the espresso machine.
Traditional Italian cappuccino is always served in small cups, which are occasionally pre-heated, and it is prepared by pulling a single or a double shot of espresso which is then topped with a light and frothy steamed milk. The recommended ratio in Italy is to have more froth than liquid.
Espresso is both the name of a coffee beverage and the method of brewing coffee that originated in Italy. Nowadays it is prepared worldwide with the espresso machine - invented in Turin in 1884 by Angelo Moriondo - by forcing a small amount of hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee beans.
The coffee used for espresso is blended from several roasts and as a result of pressurized brewing, the flavors of the beverage are very concentrated, with thick and almost syrupy texture. Consequently, espresso has more caffeine than other coffee beverages, so it is traditionally served as a shot.
VARIATIONS OF Espresso
THE BEST Espresso Coffees
Dating back to the 18th century, this classic beverage from Turin consists of an espresso that is layered with hot chocolate, and then topped with whipped cream. It is traditionally prepared and served in tall, clear glasses, and all three layers should be visible.
Although bicerin is enjoyed throughout Turin, Caffè Al Bicerin and Caffè Florio claim its origin. It is believed that its name stems from the term bicchierino, which is a diminutive of bicchiere (glass).
Marocchino, which is occasionally known as vetrino, is an Italian coffee variety that originated in Piedmont. It consists of a shot of espresso that is sprinkled with cocoa and then topped with frothed milk. Usually, the milk is then also dusted with cocoa powder.
The origin of marocchino is associated with the Carpano Bar in Alessandria. It was invented during the first half of the twentieth century, and its inventors modeled it on bicerin—an espresso that is layered with hot chocolate and then topped with whipped cream.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Piedmontese Coffee Producers
Lavazza is one of the world's most renowned coffee brands, synonymous with quality, tradition, and innovation in Italian coffee culture. Founded in 1895 in Turin, Italy, by Luigi Lavazza, the company has grown from a small grocery store into a global leader in coffee production, operating in over 140 countries.
Lavazza is known for its expert blending techniques, carefully selecting the finest Arabica and Robusta beans from top coffee-growing regions, including Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam. With over 125 years of expertise, the brand continuously innovates, offering a diverse range of products, from traditional espresso blends to sustainable single-origin coffees and state-of-the-art coffee machines.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.