cuccuma la macchinetta napoletana - moka napoletana

Neapolitan coffee, history and tradition

If Italy is considered one of the countries with the strongest coffee tradition, Naples is certainly the heart of the passion for this drink.
This splendid city has made coffee a symbol of conviviality, solidarity and craftsmanship. Neapolitan coffee is famous all over the world, and can be considered one of the most interesting traditions concerning Italian food and wine.

Neapolitan coffee has a solid history behind it, and its peculiar characteristics make it different from the normal espresso found in the rest of Italy.
Let's find out together what makes Neapolitan coffee really special.

History

The history of Neapolitan coffee is a bit uncertain, but it is believed that this strong and aromatic drink arrived thanks to the intervention of Queen Maria Carolina of Habsburg-Lorraine, of the House of Bourbon.
After it was introduced to high society, it began to spread more and more among the population. The invention of the Neapolitan coffee maker (or cuccumella) was fundamental, which began to offer a more intense type of coffee than was previously prepared.
With the arrival of the moka, what is today's Neapolitan coffee was finally created, which even now embodies its own characteristics and methods of consumption.

The characteristics of Neapolitan coffee

Neapolitan coffee is not only tradition, but it is also a real ritual. The methods of preparation, the raw materials and the way it is served differ from the traditional Italian espresso that can be found in any bar in the rest of the country.

These are the elements that distinguish a coffee in Naples:

  • The chosen blend has a higher percentage of Robusta, flanked by a smaller quantity of Arabica: this makes the coffee stronger and more intense . The beans are also roasted more, which then allows the essential oils to make the coffee more aromatic.
  • The water used in Naples has unique organoleptic qualities, and is usually of excellent quality . This element also influences the taste of the coffee.
  • The coffee is served in a hot porcelain cup, with a small glass of water to rinse your mouth before tasting the coffee. Water is always included in the coffee price.

Neapolitan coffee is consumed throughout the day , from breakfast to after dinner, often shared with friends and relatives. Offering a cup of coffee is an ingrained tradition among Neapolitan families, and accepting it is considered good manners.

Did you like this article? You might also be interested in learning about the history and curiosities of suspended coffee, correct coffee , or the literary coffee of Naples.

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