Do Italians Drink Iced Coffee?
Throughout history, Italy has come to be known as one of the key epicenters of European culture and cuisine. Italians are renowned for their passion for food and cookery, which is reflected in their diverse range of culinary delights. But what about the nation’s beverage-drinking habits? Do Italians drink iced coffee? Someone asked this exact question the other day and it got us wondering – hence, we decided to investigate the matter further.
To begin our journey, we reached out to Fabio Borghino, a renowned Italian food expert and author of the book, ‘The New Italian Table’. According to Borghino, iced coffee is an uncommon staple in Italy for a few reasons. Firstly, iced coffee is rarely consumed in Italian households in its traditional form. Instead, Italians tend to prefer iced lattes and Shakeratos (quickly shaken iced coffees) rather than the classic Americano-style iced coffees.
Next, we wanted to investigate how popular Italian iced coffee-drinking is in day-to-day life. To find out, we asked an Italian coffee expert and barista, Anna Di Natale, who pointed out that iced coffee is becoming more popular recently, thanks to the increasing availability of commercial iced coffee drinks in convenience stores and supermarkets. Despite this, Di Natale stresses that iced coffee is still often seen as a ‘summertime beverage’, with most Italians preferring to drink brewed coffee in the winter months.
Interestingly, Di Natale also pointed out that Italians are just as likely to enjoy iced coffee as a snack rather than a drink. This means that Italians often accompany their iced coffee with a variety of savoury or sweet treats like biscotti and Paninis. This phenomenon is becoming more and more popular amongst Italians, as a way of taking a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
We also consulted Luca Colanzi, a well-known Italian gastronomy and culture champion. Colanzi claims to be a big fan of iced coffee, having written extensively about it in his blog and many of his articles. He believes that iced coffee has been unfairly maligned in Italian culture and believes that the beverage can play an important role in Italian food culture, both as a snack and as a standalone beverage type.
So, does this mean that Italians like and drink iced coffee? The answer is yes and no. While iced coffee is slowly becoming more popular in modern-day Italy, it is still far from being the nation’s go-to beverage – preferring traditional brewed coffee or iced latte drinks. That being said, it is certainly gaining steam in the food and beverage space, as Italians become increasingly exposed to iced coffee as a snack or drink.
History Of Iced Coffee In Italy
To get a better understanding of iced coffee in Italy, we decided to delve into its past to see how the beverage has evolved over the years. According to coffee historian and author, Alfredo, iced coffee has likely been around in Italian culture since the late 1800s. However, the beverage was typically limited to clique circles due to its extravagant cost and rarity. This means that, up until the mid-1900s, iced coffee was only enjoyed by the elite in Italian society.
The 20th century, however, brought a change to this. With the rise of larger-scale commercialization in the food and beverage industry, iced coffee drinks (in their modern form) began to become increasingly popular amongst Italians, especially in the summer months. This resulted in the widespread availability of iced coffee drinks throughout Italy, a trend that continues to this day.
Varieties Of Iced Coffee In Italy
Italian iced coffee is not a one-size-fits-all concept – there are many different varieties that are popular amongst Italians. One particularly popular type is the Freddo, a type of iced coffee made with espresso, milk, and ice-cubes, that is served in a glass. Shakerato, on the other hand, is an Italian classic. This type of iced coffee is usually made with a blend of espresso and ice cubes and is lightly shaken until frothy, earning it its name.
Italian Frappe, also known as Frappuccino, is another popular iced coffee variant that has been around for ages. This drink is made with ice, espresso, and milk and is often served with a topping of whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and sprinkles. As one can expect, Frappes are popular amongst younger Italians, often served as a snack throughout the day.
Iced Coffee And Italians’ Coffee Habits
It is important to understand the full context of Italians’ coffee-drinking habits, in order to properly answer the question of ‘do Italians drink iced coffee?’. While iced coffee has become an increasingly accessible beverage to Italians, brewed coffee still holds a strong presence in the nation’s daily consumption habits. This means that Italians usually drink iced coffee in the summer months, when temperatures soar, or as a snack rather than as a daily staple.
Health Benefits Of Iced Coffee Vs.Brewed Coffee
When it comes to the overall health benefits of iced coffee, opinions are mixed. Many coffee experts claim that the health benefits of iced coffee are just as good as, if not greater than, those of hot coffee. On the other hand, some nutritionists claim that iced coffee does not retain the same potency as hot coffee in terms of essential vitamins and minerals.
Regardless, it is important to note that iced coffee still contains many of the same nutrients as hot coffee, including caffeine, antioxidants, and essential vitamins and minerals. This means that if consumed in moderation, iced coffee can certainly still provide many of the same health benefits as hot coffee.
Conclusion
So, do Italians drink iced coffee? According to our research, the answer is… yes and no. While iced coffee has been gaining traction recently, it is still far from being the nation’s go-to beverage – preferring traditional brewed coffee or iced latte drinks. That being said, it is undoubtedly becoming more and more popular amongst Italians, making it an incredibly popular snack and drink option.
