By MacKenzie Gellner
Photo from Unsplashed
Traveling abroad for work, school or pleasure will inevitably have a traveler noticing differences between their home versus their placement. It is a classic case of culture shock, where the foreigner is unfamiliar with the lifestyle of their new temporary home. As a Canadian interning in Florence, I’ve had the chance to put this theory to the test myself. One aspect I assumed I’d notice differences in when it came to Canada versus Italy was the coffee lifestyles, and I had decided it was my mission to find the perfect cup of coffee in Florence. Perfect to me anyways.
No matter which part of the world you reside, there will be coffee-addicts. It is quite inevitable. Adenosine is a molecular substance in the brain that essentially makes people tired. According to Medical Daily, “Caffeine and adenosine have a similar enough molecular structure that caffeine can wedge into adenosine receptors, but not close enough to activate them. Adenosine works to inhibit neurons, while caffeine inhibits the inhibitor in order to stimulate us.” This means caffeine is able to block adenosine from receptors in the brain, however, only for so long. This results in a vicious cycle of continuously needing caffeine to remain alert, resulting in the birth of coffee-addicts.
I admit to being a coffee-addict myself, so coming to Italy, I was excited to begin my hunt for the best cup of italian coffee. Though my arrival in Florence has been only a mere week past, I specifically remember tasting my first genuine italian cup of coffee. I’ve heard the rumours of how serious coffee is taken in Italy, and Europe as a whole, so I assumed it would be good. However, even knowing the intensity of their caffeine lifestyles, I had no expectations (in order to make sure my experience was the best it could be).
I stepped into some quaint cafe that I cannot recall the name of honestly, and as I naturally would back at home, I stood behind the current customer ordering and waited in, what I thought, was a line. But I was wrong. It was not a line. It was a lie. I had made a tourist error. The coffee itself was very delicious though, but small. Well, smaller than coffee at home. It did not take me long to down. Later though, after becoming more familiar with the city, I learned that the coffee size is designed to enjoy not engulf.
According to Forbes, Eva Del Soldato, an Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania who teaches a seminar on Italian culture and food, stated, “Drinking coffee in Italy in many cases is not only about coffee itself, it’s about spending time with friends.” Adding, “We think that everyone has the right to get a coffee. No matter if you’re poor or rich, coffee makes us all equal. The article discusses the differences between American and Italian coffee lifestyles by announcing the arrival of the first Starbucks in Italy. It explains how Starbucks can compete in the Italian market not because of the quality of the product, but the experience and status it delivers. This exemplifies a difference between the two lifestyles by showing how drinking coffee is more than just getting your daily dose of caffeine in the States (or Canada), it’s about the image.
In Italy, you’re less likely to find to-go cups because they invite you to stop and truly taste the coffee. When sitting at a coffee bar though, be careful. If you decide to plant yourself at a table, you will receive an extra charge opposed to if you scooch up at the bar. It’s more difficult to avoid when you’re with a large group of friends, but at least there’s more people to split the bill.
Some coffee bars I have already frequented did show differences than the ones from home. Going into Ditta Artigianale differed because you do not pay when you order, you pay when you are done. This is a very common courtesy of the waitstaff in italy because they do not want the customer to feel rushed to leave. This is also why in italian restaurants the staff will not bring the bill right away. They want you to relax and enjoy, not feel pressured to get out. In Canada, the bill generally comes immediately after the customers last plates have been cleared. However, this does not necessarily mean the waitstaff want them to leave, it merely gives them the ability to whenever they are ready.
But, I have also been to some that gave me a little comfort of Canada. Caffetteria delle Oblate reminded me slightly of my own university, where you pick up some food and a drink then pull up a chair to get back to studying. When I had visited, the entire space of Caffetteria delle Oblate was filled with hard working (I’m assuming anyways) students with their books and snacks. Seems stress and snacks go hand in hand in all countries.
Along with other local coffee bars I visited in Florence, I have come to notice it is more common for coffee to be ordered to stay and typically with some sort of food, whether it’d be a type of pastry or something more substantial like a pizza or a sandwich. In fact, at one bar, Todo Modo, it is also a bookstore, while selling coffee and pastries all the way to wine and meals.
This can be found where I’m from, Calgary, Alberta, as well, however, generally coffee is reviewed a little differently. Although Calgarians also appreciate a moment to sip on their coffee, the mindset is normally to sip it while driving your car or at your desk. Typically, Calgarian coffee-drinkers tend to take their caffeinated beverages to go because they are more concerned about making it to work on time than enjoying their brewed beverage.
There is one iconic quick-serve restaurant in Canada that has even become a way to describe the country: Tim Hortons. Tims (as shortened in Canada) is not usually praised for its quality of products and customers tend to spend mere minutes within the franchise, but it is beloved. I believe it’s likeability and feeling of home is what truly has brought its fame and fortune.
Tims is utilized substantially in Calgary because it meets the mentioned needs of Canadians way of life. However, it has been stated that a Tim Hortons coffee does not always live up to the caffeine kick the customer was hoping for (even when it’s a large). Which was a bit of a shock for me here when I realized I didn’t need several coffees throughout the day to maintain my energy.
The reason behind these variations in coffee could be due to Italy being known for inventing coffee culture, so the standard of quality is most likely higher than it is in Canada. Or another reason could be due to business; if a customer gets their caffeine fix with the first cup, they won’t need to purchase another later in the day. Tims want people coming back for more.
My hunt for my perfect cup of coffee in Florence still proceeds, but obtaining more knowledge on coffee etiquette in Italy helps smooth it along. It will be very different going back to Canadian coffee afterwards, so I may have to bring a cup or two home with me.