Quick review of the coffee in Venice.
All in all, very very nice. My normal drink has been espresso machiatto, and in most cases they have been wonderful. Had the first one in a random restaurant in the touristy area near San Marco, and it shocked me by being so incredibly good.
Another one that was about as good was at another restaurant near our hotel. Other places had very good (but not quite as good) coffee, with the only let down being at Murano. It was drinkable, and better than you'll get at some espresso stands in the States, but a real downer compared to what I'd gotten used to.
Another surprise is that the coffee served by our hotel for 'breakfast' was really quite good.
Most of this (except possibly the Murano coffee) does not seem to have much or any Robusta content, and from what I remember that's generally true of Northern Italy coffee. Clean, smooth, and very tasty. Despite the perception coffee beans used in espresso need not, nor are they usually, roasted nigh unto charcoal, and the concept of an "Espresso Roast" as sold back home is just silly. Espresso is a style of brewing, not roasting.
Anyhow, the coffee side of this trip has been very successful so far, and once we arrive in Milan in an hour or so it will be time to continue the investigation.
Comments