Coffee

Coffee: Many Varieties and One Legend—Espresso

Coffee. Just thinking about it is enough to make waking up in the morning easier. A daily ritual for everyone  Italian, regardless of the  types of coffee favorites, it gives off an unmistakable aroma. It captivates the senses near a café, where a cup of coffee espresso Eating it at the counter is an irresistible temptation.

There is now a long list of processed coffee varieties: decaffeinated, instant, and freeze-dried; in beans, ground, and compressed into pods and single-serve capsules for home coffee machines. No matter how it has been processed, the origin of this stimulating beverage remains the same and dates back to the 13th century. From the Ethiopian highlands, it reached Arabia, and from there, the entire Islamic world. Turkey served as the gateway to Europe. And it was a one-way journey.

Today, Brazil is the world’s leading producer, followed by Vietnam, Colombia, and Indonesia. Among the 80 existing types of coffee, the most widely cultivated varieties are Arabica and Robusta. The former is more aromatic and contains less caffeine, as well as being more expensive. Together, they account for 99% of the market. And these are the very varieties used to create the various types of Italian coffee. These distinctive blends make the steaming cup of coffee a universal symbol of “Made in Italy.”