In a recent article, it was announced that Starbucks is opening in Milano in January,in the land of cappuccino,espresso and caffe’ macchiato.
WHAT? Isnt’t that really bringing coals to Newcastle?
I am on FB a lot, and it was brought to my attention that Italy inspired the creation of Starbucks. On a visit to Italy, the creator of Starbucks, Howard Schultz, was inspired by the coffee shops on every corner and the culture around cafe life. Truth is, in Italy, most people stand at the bar and knock back their shots of expresso. In small villages, the local paper is available to read and the bars which serve caffe also serve breakfast sweets, small sandwiches and then during the day move on to wine, aperitivi and cocktails.
To sit down at a table in Italy, there is a “service charge” which can double the price of anything consumed at the table. It does allow you to relax, use the bathroom and I consider it like renting the space. You will not be asked to leave. The waiter will usually leave your bill on the table, or often accept payment right away and then let you relax.
Recently,I saw a new place in Florence near the train station called Arnold’s. The Italian owner was inspired in the USA by the American way of relaxing with large cups of coffee and free wifi. Here I saw bagel sandwiches, American doughnuts in a lovely modern clean space and it was filled with Italians.
Just as McDonald’s has been a huge success, I predict that Starbucks will also be sought after by Italians as well. To enjoy sitting down and not paying the service charge is appealing to everyone, and free wifi.
When traveling, I remember sometimes I just needed something familiar. A place to sit down, relax and write postcards. Now one would catch up on email and Facebook and have a light meal.
I am not a fan of the flavor of Starbucks coffee, to me it tastes burnt. I assume they will also have all their flavored drinks too and the teas, but am sure they will be clean, warm and inviting.
I am sorry to see Italy become like another America. Walking downtown in the larger cities now is like anywhere else in the world with the same shops, same products. One World?
While I was out the other day, one of my clients for a market tour wanted a cappuccino served with his pasta. This breaks all food rules in Italy! When I first moved here they would never have let you have it, instead, the lovely waitress just smiled and served him a lovely hot cappuccino.
Italian “old school” coffee rules:
The day begins at home with a simple Moka stovetop coffee, often served in a bowl with hot milk and some toast or cookies
When you get to work, you stop first for a real espresso. The best are at the busiest bars, where they start early and make a lot. Since you are charged extra to sit down, most locals just stand at the bar ad shoot them down. Perhaps having a pastry or a little sandwich.
Around 10:30 is breaktime. If you are having a panino, you would not have a coffee but probably a glass of water, juice or the house wine.
Lunch time, water or wine with your meal and end the meal with a expresso. Some restaurants don’t have espresso machines, so many clients leave to have their expresso at the nearest bar.
After lunch, you would never have any of the coffee drinks made with milk as you have already had wine and that would not agree with the Italian delicate digestive system.
5pm- Let the apertivi begin. Again, once you have started drinking, you are probably done with coffee for the day.
For those that want their Italian coffee with a little milk, you can cheat and ask for a caffe’ macchiato, it is a small shot of espresso with a dollop of steamed milk.
What’s new
I am getting ready to start to write more on the site and am preparing a small “gift” for my followers on the site. If you would like to participate, sign up on the sidebar to recieve my newsletters which will start in January. I will be sending out a PDF of some of my favorite sweet recipes. Going back to my pastry chef roots.
My question for you is:
Leave a comment below about what you think about Starbucks coming to Italy.
I will randomly choose a winner from those that leave a comment and send one of my San Lorenzo wall plaques to bless your kitchen. ( winner has choice of which plaque).
I have been writing on my site since 1997 and would love to get more feedback from my readers.
Thank you in advance for participating and following me.
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thanks to everyone that left a comment–
I agree with you about Starbuck’s coffee tasting burnt. We have visited Italy 3 times now and what I like is the abundance of small entrepreneurial shops and being away from the North American culture. I think that is what appeals to most of us who fall in love with European culture. It seems so much more personalized. I can go to a little shop there and purchase my food items, and by the 3rd visit they already now my preferences and greet me as if I am a valued customer.
Starbucks is one lifestyle, Italy is another. Each has its place. I hate the thought of total homogenization of cultures, but I guess it’s coming.
I have lived in Italy for the past five years but am currently back in the States. When I first moved, I truly missed the large coffees and taking the time to linger in coffee shops. But now? Caffe all the way!
Same here. Starbucks is a little better than what the Dutch dare to call coffee, but raised Italian, I say nothing beats caffè.
Apart from that, I don’t like US companies taking over all and everything.
I honestly thought I’d never see this day… I don’t frequent Starbucks in the States unless I’m on a long road trip and it’s the only option. Fortunately I have a wonderful local coffee house with an amazing pastry chef within walking distance of my house when I feel the need to linger over a really good cup of coffee. The coffee is so good in Italy I can’t imagine ever feeling the need to go to a Starbucks. And although they do charge for sitting down in big cities they often don’t in smaller cities and towns so sitting and lingering is bliss for me watching the life all around me or catching up with a good friend, I’m curious to see how they do…
I’ll never forget my first cup of Italian coffee. It was in Verona, it was served in a espresso small pot with the steamed milk on the side: I can still taste it.
I can see the draw but I like the Italian caffe where everyone talks to each other and shares opinions about the day’s events or sports instead of everyone glued to a phone or computer screen. I don’t go to Starbucks here and surely won’t choose it on trips to Italy.
Judy
Caffe all the way. Not sure why Starbucks needs to move to Italy, but I sure hope the Italians hold fast to their traditions!
Tim
Initially I was saddened to hear that Starbucks was coming to Italy even though I like Starbucks coffee…I suppose the same way Americans enjoy most things Italian, it’s only fair for the reverse to be available to Italians….As long as the caffe of Italy still stays uppermost and the flavor of the Italian culture not diminished!! Who doesn’t love a divine cappuccino or rich espresso!!…………………my favorite.
I do both! lol. Maybe that’s because I am both. I do a shot of espresso (illy) before I leave the house. Then when at work I have a much taller caffe (lavazza perfetto) from the Keurig. Then, and only then, do I greet the day.
Caffe’. I really think Starbucks has terrible coffee – Pumpkin Spice Latte? Seriously? It all tastes burnt and watery. I love a good cappuccino in the morning, maybe a macchiato in the afternoon. When in Rome.., (or Florence)
Honestly, I do love a cappuccino in the morning. However having said that many of my Italian relatives wish their little towns and cities had a Starbucks once experiencing it over here in North America. Who knows…maybe the Italians can teach the Starbucks team a thing or two.
I can’t imagine renting space to have a coffee, why not just add it into the price of the product. I am not a fan of Starbucks, but we now live in a global economy. We have been buying san marzano tomatoes, and evo from italy for years.
Mike– your name was picked as the winner!
please pick which san lorenzo you would like and i will ship this week.
http://www.zazzle.com/collections/san_lorenzo-119507287955444337
thanks for commenting!
Judy
Starbucks is my last choice when I go for coffee. Thank you for sharing Italy’s ways. I am sure they think we are heathens.
Caffe. Atmosphere makes the difference. When in Italy I want to taste, see, feel, touch , hear – in other words use all my senses to experience the moment. Starbucks would be like going to a McDonald instead of a fine restaurant. If I could do that here in The States why would I want do it on my Italian adventure.
I recently discovered Arnold’s up at the SMN station in Florence. I was shocked at the similarities to Starbuck’s. But what shocked me even more was that the place was filled with Italians–I was the only American there!
Caffe!!!! I’m sorry to hear about Starbucks in Italy. The point of traveling is to delight in local culture and live the life locals do – if even for a short time.
I’m not a fan of Starbucks and that they are on every street corner and that they make it hard for the ma and pa cafe’s. I prefer locally owned coffee shops.
Way to late to join this party…but wanted to place my vote not in favour of Starbucks…sorry all my Canadian and American friends…think their coffee does taste burnt just like Judy said…never, never go there. However. when we heard the shocking news about Starbucks coming to Italy the only thing we thought was “free Wi-fi”…and now that you mention it Judy…the other hook is the ability to sit for free for hours and hours just like here. So…when in Italy…we pay extra to sit down and enjoy a properly made caffee…it’s part of the experience and not to be missed. I have a friend that stayed in a hotel in Italy and insisted on ordering a cappuccino after dinner! Yikes…I almost fell over with shock! In my opinion, rules are rules and often there for a reason as you so eloquently point out Judy!