Cafe, Venezia

Antica Torrefazione Di Caffe

Deep within the heart of the Italian town, Venice – lies a dedication of how greatly coffee should be appreciated. A little roastery, Antica Torrefazione Di Caffe has taken a lead off becoming the single roastery in Venice, where green beans is transformed into a balanced cup and here from appreciated not only by the locals, but also tourist. 

Green coffee beans directly in the shop

Coffee History
The history of coffee has been documented as early as the tenth century AD, where its use was largely restricted to the native beans of Ethiopia. Here highlanders first farmed the coffee plant, however it was the Arabs who saw the trading potential and sold the beans to northern Africa where mass-cultivation occurred. Early 14th Century explorers upon seeing the coffee drinking in the near east labelled it as a drug, reporting the many medicinal benefits from consumption in the morning. From there, the beans entered European and Indian markets in the 17th Century, where the popularity of the coffee became widespread, as "the wine of Arabia".

Gigant roaster in the back room

Coffee was first introduced to Europe from Egypt through the Italian city of Venice, where a flourishing trade between the local businessmen and Arabs enabled a large variety of commodities and goods to be imported. Merchants sold this coffee to the wealthy in Venice, charging them greatly for the privilege of drinking this exciting new beverage.

A neverending que

Due of its eastern roots, coffee in Italy was at the outset considered a sinful and deemed as an Islamic threat to Christianity. However its popularity grew regardless, and Pope Clement VII upon wisely sampling the heathen drink was instantly enamored by the unique taste and aroma.Consequently, it was decided that far from religious conspiracy, it would be a great sin to banish such a delightful drink and thus is was deemed Christian beverage - giving rise to the first Italian coffee house.

The owner of the Italian coffee roasters

Named for the beverage that it served, the first cafe in Venice opened around 1683 and soon became synonymous with comfortable atmosphere, conversation, good food - this adding romance and sophistication to the coffee experience.

Different roasted beans for home purchase

The heart of the roastery

The professional Barista

Historically most Italian coffee is brewed strong and fast in the form of espresso, which is perhaps why this country developed various milk based coffees such as the cappuccino and latte. The inventive to develop this type of coffee was not due to its superior taste, but a shrewd 18th Century Italian businessman who sought to reduce the time his workers spent on their morning coffee break. Thus a lever driven machine was developed to force water through tightly packed ground coffee, incidentally creating a stronger more aromatic brew. Although the strong association between Italy and coffee can be deemed somewhat of a misnomer as only humble amounts are grown in this country, early Italian culture welcomed the drink as if it were their own and did much to advance its status of the beverage worldwide.

Making a cappuccino

Blue Mountain Jamaica for home purchase

The final cappuccino

Were would you find a coffee cafe that sells Blue Mountain Jamaica for home purchase and also respects the coffee enough too roast the coffee yourself as the only one in miles around? Well this little oasis in the middle of Venice did that and I must say Im impressed!

// Hendrup