It is no surprise that Italians take their coffee seriously, but before coming to Italy, I
was not fully aware of just how seriously. As someone who drinks at least two cups a
day, I consider myself a big coffee lover. Back home in the U.S., my daily intake
consisted of a mix of cold brews, iced coffees, or iced lattes — but after studying
abroad in Florence, I came to realize just how different coffee culture is here. In
America, local coffee shops as well as chains advertise specialty iced lattes with a
plethora of different sugary syrups and flavors. I once tried a lemon blueberry iced
latte and, while it was undeniably good, it wasn’t particularly strong and didn’t give
me the caffeine kick I was after. Coming abroad, I already knew that iced coffees and elaborate
lattes weren’t the cultural norm, so I arrived excited to immerse
myself. My very first drink after stepping off the plane was a
cappuccino and it was my first cappuccino ever. What surprised
me most was how much I enjoyed the absence of sweetness and
flavorings. There was something satisfying about the simplicity
of it: a beautifully made cappuccino paired with a croissant, the
dream European breakfast.

Another revelation about Italian coffee culture was the price difference. At home I would buy a $7 latte and I became numb to spending that cost, but here I can get a cappuccino for roughly €2. This was a big surprise for me and my bank account. I like how you can get a strong coffee for a good price that will actually fuel you through a full day of classes and exploring the city.

Something else that stood out to me was the pace at which Italians actually drink their coffee. It is
nothing like back home, where grabbing a coffee means rushing out the door. Here, people stop at the
bar, take a few quiet sips, and continue on with their day. It is quick, but never rushed, it is just part of
their routines. I remember seeing this for the first time and being shocked as to how many people were
in and out in the span of 10 minutes. That being said, there is another side to it too, those who slow
things down entirely and linger over a cappuccino at a café table, in no hurry to be anywhere else.

The highlight of my coffee education,
though, came during a field trip to Dini Caffè,
one of the only coffee roasteries located in
Florence’s city center. We were taken
through the entire process, from raw bean
to finished espresso, and got to taste the
product at the end. Watching the staff roast
and grind the beans on their in-house
machines was fascinating. Learning about a
drink I consume every single day gave me a
new appreciation for it. What made it
especially meaningful was discovering that
this is a family business that has been
running for decades. I think that learning
about the coffee making process from an
authentic Italian family was something that
will stick with me forever. It was such an
amazing opportunity that not everyone will.
be able to experience.

Returning to the U.S. will certainly be an adjustment.
Having experienced what truly authentic espresso
tastes like, I know my old routine will never quite
feel the same. I will miss my morning cappuccinos for
€2, and even more than that, I will miss the relaxing
feeling of sitting in an Italian coffee shop, watching
locals and tourists move throughout their day. I feel
so grateful that studying abroad opened my eyes to
new cultures and new ways to go about everyday
habits that will stay with me forever.

https://myitaliancoffeeexperience.my.canva.site

By Amelia Melnick, Alexis Lubart, Ella Robertson & Makayla Elscheid

Linkedin: @Amelia Melnick @Alexis Lubart @Makayla Elscheid@Ella Robertson