There is simply nothing quite like a classic. With its unmatched flavor, there’s a reason why customers turn to Italian coffee as a daily staple.
But what is Italian roast coffee? And what makes it distinct from other cups of joe? In this blog, we’ll explore this specific variety so you’re better informed when ordering your next Italian coffee.
How Italian Coffee is Made
Also known as espresso, Italian coffee is a staple of Italian coffee culture and cuisine. It is made using an espresso machine, which forces hot water through the coffee grounds under high pressure.
The resulting shot of espresso is thick, rich, and full of concentrated flavor. It can be enjoyed alone in a demitasse or added as a core ingredient in a more complex coffee beverage.
Uses for Italian Coffee
While espresso can be enjoyed alone, it is also often added to drinks such as:
- Cappuccino – a blend of steamed milk and espresso, traditionally enjoyed as a breakfast beverage.
- Macchiato – a shot of espresso blended with a very small amount of milk. As a fun fact, the word “macchiato” means “stained” or “spotted” in Italian!
Italian Coffee vs. Italian Blends
It may be easy to mistake all coffees labeled “Italian” as being sourced from Italy. But don’t fall into this trap! There is a distinction between coffee that comes from Italy and coffee referred to as an “Italian blend.”
The term “Italian blend” does not refer to a specific type of coffee bean or origin. Instead, it refers to a particular coffee roasting process and blending method that is commonly used in Italy. Italian blends are commonly made from a blend of coffee beans that are sourced from regions such as:
- South America,
- Central America,
- Africa, and
- Asia.
The beans are then prepared using Italian style roasting and preparation methods to achieve the darkest roast. This roast level is what gives Italian coffee its distinctive richness.
Italian blend coffee can be used to make espresso, lattes, drip coffee, and more. It is typically roasted to a dark roast coffee level, which produces a bold flavor with low acidity and bitterness.
Italian Coffee vs. American Coffee
Despite its popularity in America, Italian coffee is quite distinct from its American counterpart. This can be seen chiefly in its:
- Preparation – Italian coffee using an espresso machine, which forces hot water through finely ground coffee beans under high pressure. American coffee is typically made by brewing coffee grounds in a drip coffee maker, French press, or percolator
- Flavor – American coffee is typically milder when compared with the darker roasts that underscore typical Italian coffee
- Size – While American coffee can come in any size mug, Italian coffee is almost exclusively served in a small demitasse.
If you’re looking for some of the best Italian blends and Italian roasts around, Ellianos has what you crave. Find an Ellianos near you.
