Caffè

Caffè is the Italian term for coffee, referring to both the beverage made from roasted beans and, in everyday usage, to a coffeehouse or café. In Italian usage, a caffè typically means an espresso served in a small cup, though it can denote other coffee drinks when specified (for example, caffè latte, cappuccino).

Etymology and history: The word derives from the Ottoman Turkish kahve and the Arabic qahwa, transmitted to Italian in the 16th–17th centuries. Coffee arrived in Europe in the 17th century and soon became part of social life in coffeehouses, which spread across Italian cities, contributing to urban sociability and commerce.

Beans and roasting: Coffee is produced from the beans of Coffea species, mainly arabica (C. arabica) and robusta (C. canephora). Flavor depends on variety, cultivation, processing, and roast level. Roasting darkens beans and develops bittersweet or smoky notes; grind size and water temperature influence extraction, especially for espresso.

Preparation and serving: Espresso is the core method in Italy, using pressure extraction to produce a concentrated shot. Classic Italian drinks include cappuccino (milk foam), macchiato (a dash of milk), latte, and ristretto or lungo variants. In cafés, beverages are commonly listed as caffè espresso and related drinks.

Global context: Major producers include Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, and Ethiopia. The market distributes roasted beans and ground coffee for a range of preparation methods, from espresso to pour-over. Decaffeinated and specialty coffees are common, with growing attention to quality, sustainability, and fair trade.