Espresso Con Pana is an Italian original now popular in the U.S.

Espresso by itself is a dark, robust blend of coffee bean perfection.  The drink that put Italy on the map has been transformed by some of the top coffee sellers in the world into many different varieties.  But one such blend is just as well known as espresso by itself, and that is espresso con panna.

The Italian drink is translated as, “espresso with cream“.  After the espresso is created through high pressured hot water then sweet homemade whipped cream is added.  And of course if you do not want the added sugar then the cream by itself is just enough to take the bite out of the dark coffee taste.

The espresso con panna is a favorite in the United States.  In fact, Starbucks has it on the menu, which can be made with one, two or three shots.  Because of it’s bitter taste this drink may not be for everyone, especially if you enjoy tasting less of the coffee and more of the filler.  But for the robust taste buds this drink is a creamy delight and very simple to make.

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Italy

According to Dr. Ernesto Illy of Illy Coffee it is all in the technique of roasting the beans that makes an Italian Roast.  Illy is the most common type of Italian Roast found in the United States.

For the true connoisseur purchasing the whole bean and grinding at home is the preferable method to brew providing a fresher tasting coffee and customization for the pot you will use be it espresso or drip.  Beans can be found in specialty coffee shops and sometimes at grocery stores.

If you are concerned about serving this strong roast in the evening and staying awake no worries, it is also available in decaffeinated.

First made in the 1500’s in Italy, it exhibits the coffees found in Turkey at the time.  It is a less acidic and sweeter tasting coffee than other dark roasts such as French Roast.

The longer roasting time depletes the natural caffeine sources in the beans resulting in a coffee that contains less caffeine.  Italian Roast is a rich brown color with little or no oil.

Italian coffee uses Arabica coffee beans known for their full flavor and low caffeine content, Southern Italians tend to mix Robusta content in their coffee for a stronger flavor.

The method of grinding is different as well; a grinding wheel is preferred to allow a more thorough grind.

The rules of drinking Italian Coffee like the Italians do are as follows:  the locals drink it standing at the bar, “caffe” is an espresso and drunk in two to three sips and coffee should not have milk in it after 11:00 a.m.  Any other behavior will flag you as a tourist.

However you prefer your coffee know that Italian Roast will deliver a smooth full-bodied dark cup of sweet coffee with low acidity and lower caffeine content.

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