Coffee In Trieste For The Uninitiated: The Essential Guide

Coffee in Trieste can be an amazing experience for first time visitors and if you are interested in its history, culture and coffee bars, here is your guide.

In Italy’s unofficial coffee capital of Trieste, and much like the rest of the country, the day begins in the local coffee bar. In Trieste, the experience is familiar, but with differences that the uninitiated might not realize at first glance.

With this quick guide, you will be ready to order your coffee like a true Triestini and know what to expect in return. Then you might better understand why the people of Trieste are said to drink twice as much coffee as other Italians while being home to some of the most important Italian coffee brands in the world.

The History of Coffee in Trieste

Around 1570, coffee was believed to have been introduced to Italy in Venice from the Ottoman Empire. Europeans quickly discovered the social and “medicinal” benefits of coffee during the Middle Ages. Later, coffee became a source of energy for intellectual movements and the Renaissance movement.

The drink was immediately beloved by Italians, but because of the Arabic origins and associations with Islam, it aroused suspicion in the Catholic church. Catholics called it “The Devil’s drink” (Hell Yeah!) and rallied Pope Clement VIII to ban it. But after one sip, the Pope declared it was so good that it should not be exclusive to the “infidels”.

The Ottoman civilization processed and prepared coffee entirely by hand,but the Italians invented a machine that used steam pressure to extract the essence and aroma of the coffee beans in the fastest time.

Along with the embrace of coffee, in the 18th century, the port of Trieste was declared tax-free. Trade began with coffee arriving from the Ottoman Empire and Trieste was soon supplying beans to cafes throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire, including Vienna’s famous coffee houses.

Trieste remains a diverse and tolerant city today. It’s home to one of the largest synagogues in Europe, a mosque and its 19th-Century Serbian Orthodox Church, adorned with gold mosaics and spires.

San Giusto Is Our Favorite Coffee In Trieste

Coffee Culture In Trieste

If you are visiting Trieste, you can’t go wrong by ordering the most well known drinks in the typical way, i.e. cappuccino, espresso and macchiato. However, if you want to order like a local, be sure to check out these:

A Nero. This is an espresso and it’s usually served in a cup and should be drunk fast, even before the foam on top disappears and all the taste evaporates.
A Caffelatte – This is their cappuccino and also shouldn’t be ordered after 11:00AM.
Un Capo – This is their Macchiato served in a cup. If you ask for “Un capo in b,” it is coffee with a bit of milk, served in a small glass.

We first learned about the coffee culture in Trieste from its coffee festival. Each October, there is the Trieste Coffee Festival, when roasteries open for tastings, restaurants create dishes spiced with coffee and there’s a competition to name the city’s best barista.

Art And Beauty In Trieste — Is He Flipping Me Off?

Signature Coffee Styles And Flavors

Consistent with the style of roasting that I find more common in northern Italy, the roasting is usually milder and only (or at least the majority of the blend) of Arabica beans. The most iconic roaster from Trieste is illy. illycaffè is an Italian family business founded in Trieste in 1933 by Francesco Illy. Today it is led by the third generation of the family.

Some other examples of roasters in Trieste that you might want to consider are:

Torrefazione Caffè San Giusto – A favorite of ours, it was founded in 1949 by Libero Petronio, Torrefazione Caffè San Giusto is the historic Trieste company, still owned by the family. San Giusto is the patron saint of the city of coffee. For seventy years it has specialized in the purchase of the best raw beans, in the creation of blends and in the artisanal roasting of high-quality coffee beans for espresso.
Guatemala Torrefazione Caffè – Since 1980, they have dedicated themselves to selecting the best qualities of raw coffee, artisanal roasting, creating personalized blends and selling coffees. From the roasting laboratory to their shop only a handful of seconds pass and that’s how they can guarantee the absolute freshness of the coffees. Just enough time to roast them to perfection, let them cool and bring them to you.
Torrefazione La Triestina – One of the historic roasting companies still active in the city is Torrefazione La Triestina, located in Piazza Cavana, in the heart of the historic center of Trieste. Since 1948, the business has been involved in roasting, tasting and selling raw and roasted coffee.

Famous Coffee Bars And Cafés In Trieste

Caffè degli Specchi – Translating to Cafè of Mirrors, it is one of the most famous coffee houses in the northern Italian port. Located on the ground floor of Casa Stratti on Piazza dell’Unita d’Italia, the cafe opened in 1839 as a traditional Viennese coffeehouse.
Caffé Tommaseo – This is Trieste’s oldest coffee house, which dates back to 1830. Caffé Tommaseo continues to maintain its traditional style with crisp white tablecloths, wide marble bars and delicate architectural enhancements. Here, the sophistication and grace often associated with the coffee houses of Vienna are ever present..

Wrapping Up Coffee In Trieste

While not typically on the tourist trail of Italy, if you are looking for a celebration of coffee, culture and tradition, then Trieste should definitely be on your itinerary. The history, influences and beauty of the city will make a stop here as memorable as it would be delicious.