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What makes Naples\u2019 coffee so good?<\/h2>\n
The coffee you sip is the result of the barista who made it, the machine which ground it, the roaster who prepared the beans, and the growers or original plant variety. There are many players and many factors that go into making the perfect coffee.<\/p>\n
Traditionally, Napoli has been praised for its coffee due to the city\u2019s attention to grinding and roasting the beans just right.<\/p>\n
When making espresso, coffee beans should be ground into fine particles to increase their surface contact with hot water. This helps bring out the best aromas and characteristics of the coffee. The time it is left in contact with steam defines if your espresso will be too watery or too strong with a burnt taste.<\/p>\n
But some experts say the grind all depends on the winds and humidity hitting that day, and in this, it is said, Napoli\u2019s baristas are well trained.<\/p>\n To be clear, Napoli was not the first European city to realize the excellence of great coffee. It is said it was through Vienna the first coffee made its way to Europe. From there it probably spread to Venice and through northern Italy. Coffee made its way into Naples\u2019 daily life around 1768, under Bourbon rule.<\/p>\n Before this, coffee was known in the city, but the Church was a little suspect, so it wasn\u2019t drunk very often. The grand parties of the Bourbon rule made coffee a social and elegant custom that was soon made available to many Neapolitans.<\/p>\n Closer to the 1800s, coffee houses began popping up around the city as a meeting place for intellectuals and artists. But another invention led to the diffusion of this daily ritual: The Cuccumella<\/i>, or Cuccuma. This is what really led to the unique Naples coffee culture.<\/p>\n A typical Neapolitan coffee maker comes with many names: the flip coffee pot, the cuccuma<\/i>, cuccumella<\/i>, and sometimes even just the caffettiera napoletana.<\/i> It\u2019s quite different from the Moka pot you might be used to seeing in Italy.<\/p>\n The cuccuma is made with two pots, and two handles, that screw into one another, with a filter for the coffee in between. The bottom section is filled with water, then there is a filter. On top of this filter goes the coffee. Then the upside-down pot is attached on top.<\/p>\n Once the water boils, the pot is flipped. This allows the hot water to drip through the coffee until the pot is filled and ready to serve. You might also see the spout covered with a cuppetiello\u2013<\/i>a small paper cone meant to hold in all the aroma of the coffee for when it is ready to serve.<\/p>\n In the end, the coffee is more similar to a drip-style coffee than the steamed or percolated coffee of a Moka. The process is much slower, which in fact is what made it popular for at-home coffee. A ritual prepared for guests while they would chat and catch up, this tradition was the opposite of the quick sip-and-go of a bar espresso.<\/p>\n A little fact that might surprise you: the cuccuma<\/i> was actually invented by a Frenchman, rather than a local from Napoli! However, it was one of the earliest at-home coffee makers, making it popular throughout Italy, and especially in Napoli. The tradition remained in Napoli longer, even after the invention of the Bialetti Moka, as locals loved the slow ritual of the process.<\/p>\n Today it isn\u2019t as widely found, but you can enjoy this style of coffee at a particular bar: Cuccuma Caff\u00e8<\/i><\/a> in the heart of historic Napoli. Their goal is to keep this tradition alive and share it with visitors.<\/p>\n One of Napoli\u2019s famous coffee rituals is the caff\u00e9 sospeso<\/i>. You\u2019ll probably see at most bars a small board with the title caff\u00e9 sospeso<\/i> and some tick marks, or you might overhear someone mention they\u2019ll leave a caff\u00e9 sospeso<\/i>.<\/p>\n But what IS a caff\u00e9 sospeso<\/i>?<\/p>\n Caff\u00e9 sospeso <\/i>is a strong tradition in Napoli of paying for an extra coffee so that someone in need can have one later.<\/p>\n The idea is that un caff\u00e9 <\/i>is so essential to daily life in Napoli, that no one should go without it! This small act of kindness allows everyone to enjoy a hot espresso no matter how down on their luck they may be.<\/p>\n In talking about Naples coffee culture, we have to mention some of the most popular roasters from Napoli, but we also wanted to share some of the specialty coffee roasters nearby.<\/p>\n The most popular roasters you might find in stores are Kimbo<\/a>, Borbone<\/a>, and Izzo<\/a> coffee. These roasters are very popular in Campania. However, if you fall in love with one of them you can often find them in some major supermarkets around Italy!<\/p>\n A bit smaller torrefazione<\/i> or roastery is Passalacqua<\/a>, owned and managed by the family since 1948. This is a coffee you can find pretty easily around Naples, but you might have a hard time finding it further away.<\/p>\n And what about specialty coffee?<\/p>\n Truth is, for being a city that loves its coffee, there is only one primary roaster who has decided to break tradition and explore the world of specialty coffee. Campana Coffee<\/a> located in nearby Pompeii is a third-generation coffee roaster run by Raffaele and Paola. They roast both single-origin and blends, always of at least 50% Arabica coffee.<\/p>\n You can try a taste of their coffee at their store in Pompeii, at the Ventimetriquadri Caff\u00e9 in Napoli, or you can even order some online to enjoy at home.<\/p>\n If you want to get a peek at the real Naples\u2019 coffee culture, here are a few local cafes for you to check out on your next trip.<\/p>\n To experience one of the elegant historic coffee houses of Napoli, you\u2019ll want to make a stop at Gran Caff\u00e9 Gambrinus<\/a>. Enjoy a simple espresso and pastry, or indulge in one of the gourmet coffees inside a beautiful vintage location.<\/p>\n If you prefer a simpler experience, the classic Italian caff\u00e9 al banco<\/i>, you can still enjoy a step into the history of Naples coffee culture at the Vero Bar del Professore<\/a>. They have many different blends of coffee to try, as well as some unique gourmet flavored coffees to taste. There is also the option to grab a seat and delight in a warm sfogliatella<\/i> with your espresso.<\/p>\n As mentioned above, Cuccuma Caff\u00e8<\/a> is a unique cafe where you can learn about the coffee tradition of Napoli\u2019s flip pot and enjoy a taste. A very small hole-in-the-wall cafe, it\u2019s almost as if you are walking into someone\u2019s living room. But if this feels a little stuffy, after the demonstration you can take your coffee outside and take in the local street life.<\/p>\n Ventimetriquadri<\/a> is the first specialty coffee bar in Napoli. They have many different coffees to try in your preferred style. You can enjoy local Campana coffee or other Italian roasters like Ditta Artigianale from Florence.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/29196916181_a75291b0fb_k.jpg\")
Napoli\u2019s coffee history<\/h2>\n
The cuccuma<\/i>, a traditional Neapolitan coffee pot<\/h2>\n
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Caff\u00e9 Sospeso<\/h2>\n
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Coffee roasters in Naples<\/h2>\n
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Don\u2019t miss these Naples Cafes<\/h2>\n
Classic Coffee House: Gran Caff\u00e9 Gambrinus<\/h3>\n
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Historic, but easy, caff\u00e9 al banco: Vero Bar del Professore<\/h3>\n
Try the cuccuma: Cuccuma Caff\u00e8<\/h3>\n
For specialty coffee: Ventimetriquadri<\/h3>\n
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