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COFFEE

Where to get the cheapest (and most extortionate) coffee in Italy

No matter where you go in Italy, Italians are passionate about their coffee. But some pay a higher price for their passion than others. Find out where to get you bargain macchiato and where to expressly avoid espressi.

Published: 26 June 2017 12:58 CEST
Where to get the cheapest (and most extortionate) coffee in Italy
Lakov/Depositphotos

A study published by Federconsumatori this week compared coffee prices across the Italian peninsula.

Bargain hunters will want to head to Bari, where Italy's cheapest espressos (espressi) can be found, averaging out at 75 cent in most bars. The next cheapest cup of brew comes in at 86 cent in Naples, followed by Catania and Palermo, where caffeine addicts can track down an espresso for less than €1.

It's bad news for northern Italians, with the most expensive coffee found in university town Bologna, where the average espresso has a €1.10 price tag.

The average price of coffee in Florence and Venice is also more than €1. Such high-end prices will seem more than fair to readers from Sweden, the UK, Germany or Switzerland, more used to paying closer to 5€ for their coffee than the handful of euro cent requested in southern Italy. 

Coffee prices have been on the rise generally in recent years in Italy, much to the outrage of local citizens. A 2016 study by a German company found that Milan offered the cheapest coffee in Europe while Europeans living in Geneva, Copenhagen and Zurich face paying more than €6 for their Starbucks coffee. 

Starbucks announced earlier this year that it would open between 200 and 300 stores in Italy. The first stores will be opened in Milan and Rome.

But will Starbucks be able to install a paper coffee-cup culture? Psychologist Paolo Vergnani told the BBC he thought the move could be unsuccessful because Starbucks coffee is “just a way to keep your hands warm.” Vergnani, who says he drinks 10 espressos a day, believes Starbucks will not do well because Italians “are coffee snobs.” 

 

CAKE

Kaffee und Kuchen: The history behind a very German tradition

This leisurely afternoon ritual is key to the German lifestyle.

Published: 2 September 2020 14:03 CEST
Kaffee und Kuchen: The history behind a very German tradition
A family takes part in the Kaffee und Kuchen tradition in Zellingen, Bavaria. Photo: DPA

The mid-afternoon is a signal to many Germans for a traditional pick-me-up in the form of “Kaffee und Kuchen” – literally, coffee and cake. 

Be it with coworkers, friends, or family, the culture of “Kaffeeklatsch” (the act of catching up over the two delights) enjoys nationwide popularity, typically between the hours of 3 and 4pm. 

READ ALSO: Nine German treats you'll want to eat right now (and one you won't)

You might invite guests to your home to show off your own hand-baked goods, or if you prefer to trust someone else to take care of the baking instead, countless cafes and the more authentic ‘Konditorei’ are dotted all over the country – and as a general rule of thumb, the more old-fashioned, the better.

A typical selection at a Konditorei. Photo: DPA

A longstanding tradition

The origins of the beloved custom can be traced back to the 17th century, when coffee was first imported to Germany. In these times, it was only the aristocracy who would indulge in the pastime, but by the 19th century the indulgent treat became more accessible, and the combination has since become a cultural staple.

Whilst the working world often only allows for a quick, shop-bought treat during the week, Germans will often make use of the weekends to celebrate with large pots of coffee and a selection of delicious sweet treats.

READ ALSO: A brewing moment: Germany's baristas compete to create world's top coffee

And despite being somewhat comparable to the English custom of ‘afternoon tea’, the cakes you’ll find in Germany are nowhere near as dainty.

Expect to see a big slab of decadent Bienenstich, Erdbeertorte or Baumkuchen enticing you from behind the glass counter of the patisserie. 

Regional variations

Exactly how your ‘coffee and cake’ set-up may look differs across the country and time of year, as traditional German cakes vary according to both region and season. 

In the Black Forest, cafes are known for their Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte – indulgent layers of whipped cream and chocolate sponge (with added cherry liquor as the secret ingredient) are topped with chocolate shavings and cherries. 

A slice of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. Photo: DPA

In Bavaria, it’s the Prinzregententorte, which combines seven layers of sponge and chocolate buttercream to symbolise its seven districts, finished with apricot jam, dark chocolate and cream. 

Frankfurt’s speciality is the Frankfurter Kranz, a Bundt cake layered with jam and buttercream and sprinkled with caramelised nuts. Over the festive period, Germans enjoy Stollen, a Christmas speciality from Saxony – a fruit bread made of nuts, spices and dried fruit and coated with icing sugar. 

Bringing together the chance to catch up with friends and to sample some delicious German delicacies, indulging in ‘Kaffee und Kuchen’ really is the perfect way to spend your Mittagspause (afternoon break).

 
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