Torino Coffee For Beginners: The Definitive Guide
Exploring Torino coffee and its culture, history, and iconic bars so that you, as a beginner, can make the most of the city’s delicious flavors and aromas.
Italian coffee culture is an important part of daily life in Torino and experiencing the same love of coffee at home can bring your dreams back to the peninsula. Torino (Turin), Italy, a city in the Piedmont region, was known as the Detroit of Italy due to being the home to FIAT, Lancia and Alfa Romeo car manufacturers.
When you combine that with the city also being home to one of the largest global Italian coffee producers in the world, you get a city that runs on gasoline and caffeine unlike anywhere else in Italy. Our guide, best for first-timers, will get you started on the road to enjoying some of Torino’s best coffee.
The amazing history of Torino will be a factor in the development of a unique coffee culture. We’ll recommend a couple bars that you might want to check out, as well as other coffee culture elements that are foundational to the city.
The History Of Coffee In Torino
It might surprise you to learn that espresso coffee was born in Torino. Yes, you read that right, Italian espresso coffee, the one that most of us drink at least once a day and known throughout the world, was born right in the Detroit of Italy. We are not talking about varieties of coffee or particular blends, but about the machine that gave birth to the much-loved Italian espresso coffee.
In 1884, the Torino son Angelo Moriondo created the first espresso coffee in history. Moriondo descended from a family of entrepreneurs who mainly dealt with liqueurs and chocolate (his father, Giacomo, founded the very famous and respected chocolate factory “Moriondo & Gariglio” with his brother and cousin).
Angelo Moriondo also worked in the catering sector, being the owner of the Grand-Hotel Ligure in Piazza Carlo Felice and the American Bar in the Galleria Nazionale in Via Roma. The needs of the restaurant industry pushed him to design a machine to produce coffee more quickly in order to respond more efficiently to the rush of customers at certain times of the day.
Coffee Culture In Torino
One well known and enjoyed coffee culture star in Torino is a drink known as the Bicerin. You can only find this in Torino, so if you are visiting, be sure to have at least one. This amazing drink starts with a base of gianduja chocolate, which is not unlike Nutella, it is topped with a shot of espresso and then covered with foamed milk. A delightful drink if I’ve ever heard of one.
Signature Coffee Styles And Flavors Of Torino
Some very big names in Coffee hail from Torino. If you have had the opportunity to try any of these delicious coffees, either at home or in a restaurant, you are in a good position to judge the style. For me, coffees from these roasters are smooth blends with wide appeal. They are not too bitter and are balanced in a way typical of northern Italy. The most well known brands are:
- Lavazza – In 1895, Luigi Lavazza opened an artisanal coffee roastery in the historical center of Turin, beginning a practice that would turn out to be the most revolutionary idea in the history of coffee: The creation of the first coffee blends for consumption. Today, the company offers a wide variety of bean blends and roasts that can appeal to any coffee lover.
- Caffè Vergnano – You might have seen this roaster in the US if you have ever been to an EATALY. In 1882, a dream was born when Domenico Vergnano opened a small workshop. A place steeped in the rich aroma of coffee and where our dreams were created. Today, Caffè Vergnano 1882 is an ambassador of authentic Italian espresso throughout the world, with over 178 coffee shops in 27 countries.
- Caffè Costadoro – They produce high-end roasted coffee and is now one of the most thriving industries in northern Italy. It has a leading global awareness, being present in more than 40 countries. Thanks to the care and attention employed in the production of coffee, the Company (whose history began in 1890 in Turin) has earned a leading role on the international market.
Famous Coffee Bars And Cafés In Torino
- Caffè al Bicerin – Home to the famous drink of the same name, the Bicerin, Their story began back in 1763, when Giuseppe Dentis opened a small shop in the building facing the entrance to the Sanctuary of the Consolata. At the time, the place was modestly furnished with wooden tables and benches. The current building was designed by the architect Carlo Promis and constructed in 1856. The history of the Bicerin, became closely interwoven with that of the drink. Indeed, the new mixture was the ideal pick-me-up for the faithful who, having fasted to prepare for Holy Communion, needed energy as soon as they came out of the church. Likewise, it was very popular during Lent because hot chocolate was not considered “food”, so it could be consumed with a clean conscience when fasting.
- Pasticceria Stratta – Another popular pastry shop that offers amazing coffee. The doors of Stratta opened for the first time way back in 1836, when the master confectioners Stratta and Reina chose the portion of porticoes overlooking the beautiful Piazza San Carlo to leave the laboratories and open a pastry shop and retail outlet.
- Baratti & Milano – Since its inauguration in 1875, the Baratti & Milano caffé has been the driving force of Turin’s cultural life. Politicians, intellectuals and artists of all kinds regularly frequent the establishment, considered the ultimate expression of measured and elegant Savoy hospitality. After 160 years, the chocolate shop and café is still one of the most elegant meeting places in Turin, one of the most beautiful and prestigious historic venues in Italy.
Emptying The Cup In Torino
If you are looking for a historical place to enjoy Italian coffee, culture and tradition, then Torino has it all. The history, influences and food of the city will make a visit here as memorable as it would be delicious.
If you enjoyed learning more about coffee in Italy, check out some of these articles that you might find interesting:
- The Best Coffee Cities In Italy: The Ultimate Guide
- Coffee In Rome for Tourists: The Beginners Guide
- Coffee In Florence For The Curious: The Beginners Guide
- Coffee In Milan For Noobs: The Essential Guide
- Coffee In Venice For Beginners: The Essential Guide
- Coffee In Naples For Beginners: The Ultimate Guide
- Coffee In Trieste For The Uninitiated: The Essential Guide
- Palermo Coffee for Tourists: The Essential Guide
- Genoa Coffee for Beginners: The Essential Guide
