Best Italian Non-alcoholic Beverage 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.
Ristretto, which means restricted in Italian, is half of a single shot of espresso. It differs from a standard espresso not only in the amount of water used for its preparation, but also in flavor, which is less bitter than regular espresso.
When prepared in an espresso machine, the regular amount of finely ground coffee is extracted with half the amount of water used for classic espresso. The result is a more concentrated beverage with a different balance of compounds than in standard espresso.
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
Caffè latte (caffè e latte) is an espresso-based coffee that has a somewhat vague origin. It consists of an espresso that is topped with steamed and sometimes lightly frothed milk. The usual ratio is 1:3 in favor of milk, but this often varies.
The first mention of caffè latte dates back to 1867 when the term was mentioned in Italian Journeys, written by William Dean Howells. It is often claimed that it originated from cappuccino in order to make the drink more palatable for foreigners, but it belongs to a large group of European-style coffees that combine milk and coffee, such as the French caffe au lait or the Spanish café con leche.
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).
Original Italian macchiato is a coffee variety that is made by pulling a shot of espresso and topping it with only one or two teaspoons of steamed milk. The milk is only added to enhance the flavor of coffee, and should never be overpowering.
The word translates as spotted or stained—referring to the small amount of milk that is meant only to stain the espresso. Unlike cappuccino that is mostly enjoyed in the morning, caffè macchiato was invented as an alternative to regular espresso, and Italians mainly enjoy it as an afternoon drink.
Shakerato is an Italian version of ice coffee. It consists of sweetened espresso and ice cubes that are shaken—hence the name—in a cocktail shaker. The drink is usually enjoyed during the summer as a refreshing version of traditional espresso.
Because of its unique preparation, when it is poured in a glass, the drink should have a frothy layer (crema) on top. It is usually strained and served in a stemmed glass. Shakerato is commonly spiked with creamy vanilla or coffee-flavored liqueurs.
Chinotto is a carbonated soft drink made from the juice of the chinotto fruit. This beverage has been produced since the early 20th century in Liguria region of Italy. The chinotto fruit, a small and intensely bitter citrus fruit, imparts a distinctive flavor to the drink that balances sweetness with a pronounced bitter note.
The primary ingredients include chinotto fruit extract, sugar, carbonated water, caramel color, and various natural flavors. The flavor profile is often described as a mix between cola and citrus with herbal undertones. Chinotto is typically dark in color, similar to cola, and is carbonated.
Caffè moka is an Italian-style coffee that is made with a traditional moka pot—an electric or stove-top aluminum pot that was invented in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti. It works similar to an espresso machine—the water is heated, and the steam is then pressurized through ground coffee.
The resulting coffee is full-bodied and strong with a more intense flavor profile than regular brewed coffee. The moka pot was invented as an affordable and convenient way to brew coffee that would be comparable to the iconic Italian espresso. It is mostly used for home brewing, and it got its name after the Yemeni city of Mocha—once an important port for coffee trade.
Ginseng coffee is a beverage that combines coffee with ginseng, a root that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.
The origin of it is elusive, but the first commercially viable blend was produced and marketed in 1994 in Indonesia by the Citra Nusa Insan Cemerlang company. This combination has become popular in various parts of the world, particularly in Italy, where it is served in most cafés.
Best Italian Non-alcoholic Beverage Producers
Torrefazione Goriziana is an Italian coffee roasting company founded in 1967 in Gorizia, Italy. The company is known for producing high-quality coffee blends, combining traditional roasting methods with modern technologies to ensure consistent quality and rich flavors.
Their product range includes various brands, such as Goriziana Caffè, Go Caffè, and San Giusto Caffè, offering blends that cater to different coffee lovers' preferences. In addition to selling whole bean and ground coffee, Caffè Goriziana also provides coffee in capsules and pods, adapting to contemporary market trends and consumer needs.
Caffè Roen is an Italian coffee roasting company founded in 1979 in Pacengo di Lazise, near Verona, on the shores of Lake Garda. The founder, Sergio Bendinelli, leveraged his previous experience in the coffee industry to create his own roasting business, focusing on producing high-quality espresso tailored to his personal taste.
Initially, he used a small roastery, which allowed him to develop his first blends and start a small-scale production primarily intended for the hospitality sector. Over the years, the company experienced growth, increasing its customer base and strengthening its reputation for quality and reliability.
BEST Torrefazione Caffè Roen Coffees
Mister Caffè is an Italian company specializing in the production and distribution of high-quality, hand-roasted coffees. Their product range includes a variety of options, such as whole bean coffee, ground coffee, and compatible capsules for different espresso machines, including Nespresso, Dolce Gusto, Lavazza A Modo Mio, Lavazza Blue, Lavazza Espresso Point, and Caffitaly systems.
The company takes pride in carefully selecting the finest coffee beans, skillfully blending, and expertly roasting them to deliver a superior espresso experience. They pay special attention to capsule packaging to preserve the coffee’s aroma over time, ensuring that every sip remains as fresh as if it had just been crafted by their master roaster.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2021
BEST Mister Caffè Coffees
Illycaffè is an Italian family-owned company founded in 1933 in Trieste by Francesco Illy. Since then, illycaffè has become synonymous with premium coffee quality, recognized worldwide. The company is renowned for its unique blend of 100% Arabica coffee, combining nine different varieties to deliver a rich and well-balanced flavor.
Illycaffè pays great attention to every step of the process, from selecting the beans to the final product, ensuring consistent quality and aroma. In addition to coffee production, illycaffè is dedicated to promoting coffee culture through educational initiatives such as Università del Caffè, which provides training and education for professionals and coffee enthusiasts around the world.
BEST Illycaffè Coffee Beans
Best Italian Non-alcoholic Beverages
Caffè Roen Extra Bar is a carefully crafted blend consisting of 80% Arabica and 20% Robusta beans. This dark espresso roast delivers an intense aroma with a pleasant acidity, enriched with notes of chocolate and nuts. The beans are sourced from Brazil, Guatemala, Colombia, India, and Vietnam, using a combination of washed and naturally processed beans.
It is recommended for espresso and cappuccino preparation, whether using portafilter machines or fully automatic coffee machines.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2021
Classico is a premium espresso coffee in beans, made from a carefully selected 100% Arabica blend. This distinctive blend combines nine different varieties of Arabica beans from the finest plantations worldwide, delivering a perfectly balanced taste and rich aroma.
With medium roasting, Illy Classico offers subtle notes of caramel and chocolate, along with mild floral and fruity undertones, making every sip perfectly harmonious. This coffee is ideal for espresso preparation, while its refined quality also allows enjoyment through other brewing methods, such as a moka pot or filter coffee.
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