Italy’s coffee ritual

Taking a moment to relax over a freshly brewed cup of coffee is something that people everywhere can enjoy – and the coffee break is now an important part of modern culture.

But for Italians coffee is about more than just relaxing, it is also a way of life and there is a set way to drink this famous beverage.

Italians serve coffee to guests, they use it as an excuse to talk to friends at work, it’s the first thing they drink in the morning to recharge and the last after a long lunch to aid digestion. And while each house will have a range of coffee machines and percolators, the best coffee is still served at the bar of your local café.

For many years, there were only three kinds of coffee available and these are still the most popular ones in Italy today. They include the liscio (normal), macchiato (with milk), or corretto (with liqueur). But these days there are many different kinds of coffee on offer: lungo (American), ristretto (short), macchiato freddo (cold milk), in tazza grande (big cup), with extra water, caffeine-free, ginseng infused … the choice is only limited to your imagination!

If you’re visiting Florence and want a good coffee, we suggest going to one of the historical cafés in Piazza della Repubblica (Repubblica Square). The choice is really between Paszkowski and Gilli, located next to one another on the same side of the square.

They are two cafés from the XIX century – which is modern for Florence – and are designed for those with refined taste. The pastries on offer are also equally delicious, so if you were looking for a place to have the perfect Italian breakfast, you’ve just found it!

It’s hard to say which one is the best… so why not try both and then tell us your favourite!