Coffee In Naples For Beginners: The Ultimate Guide
Coffee in Naples can easily be overlooked when you are surrounded by such amazing food, but understanding the coffee culture can add so much to your trip.
Due to its rough and tumble reputation, many people avoid Naples when they come to visit Italy. This is definitely a mistake because this amazing city has so much more to offer than being a pitstop on the may to the Amalfi coast.
The coffee culture in Naples is well-defined and worth the time needed to experience the boldly roasted coffee, amazing caffès and even their own unique stovetop coffee maker.
Stay on the popular and well lit paths around the city and you will definitely find some amazing caffès, but if you are bold and willing to wander down a random dark alley, you will be able to enjoy a coffee that rewards you with a flavor as strong as your intentions!
The History Of Coffee In Naples
It may be hard to believe that Naples, unlike many other European cities, began to love and spread coffee much later than others, but it is true! There are several theories about how coffee arrived and spread in Naples, however one of the most likely is linked to the wife of Ferdinand of Bourbon.
Vienna was the first European city to make coffee a real institution, also creating the first Kaffeehaus (a.k.a. Coffee House/Bar). It was the house of Hapsburg who brought this tradition from the capital of the Austrian empire, which gradually took root in Neapolitan culture.
Although less certain, it is even rumored that the wife of Ferdinand of Bourbon, on the advice of her sister Marie Antoinette of France, brought the ritual of coffee accompanied by a croissant (known in Italy as a cornetto), but I wouldn’t bet the house on that one.
At first, coffee in Naples was consumed only by a small elite, but little by little, towards the beginning of the 19th century, it began to be appreciated by everyone, so much so that a figure was born that has now disappeared, the itinerant coffee seller. Wandering through the streets of Naples, itinerant coffee sellers provided coffee to the most hurried citizens, also shouting the name of the Saint of the day in the street.
Coffee Culture In Naples
What is certain is that in Naples people began to appreciate the bitter drink only at the beginning of the 19th century. It was then that the alleys of Naples were enriched by the cries of the itinerant coffee sellers who traveled the length and breadth of the city equipped with a container of coffee and one of milk, and a basket with cups and sugar, to offer a quick breakfast to the most hurried Neapolitans.
Today those itinerant carts are no longer there, but coffee, like two centuries ago, remains a “sacred” rite for all Neapolitans. Eduardo De Filippo said:
“I, for example, would give up everything except this cup of coffee, taken calmly here, out on the balcony, after that hour of sleep that one gets after eating. And I have to make it myself, with my hands”.
Naples and coffee maintains an indissoluble bond that has its roots in the history and culture of the city. In Italy, coffee is more than just a drink, it is a ritual, a symbol of conviviality and daily pleasure. And if there is a city that has made coffee an art and a tradition, it is undoubtedly Naples. Hot, black and enveloping, Neapolitan coffee is not just a refreshing break, but a real moment of intimacy and sharing, which is celebrated in every corner of the city.
One of the uniquely Neapolitan aspects of coffee culture is the Caffè Sospeso. Now worldwide, one of my favorite aspects of getting a coffee in Naples is the caffè sospeso, which means “suspended coffee“.
A caffè sospeso is a cup of coffee paid for in advance by a patron and is an anonymous act of charity. Someone would come into a café and should they desire, pay the price of two coffees but receive and drink only one. The receipt for the extra coffee is put into a large metal container near the door, or left with the barista, and a poor person could grab the receipt, or ask about it and be served a coffee for free.
Signature Coffee Styles And Flavors
The style of coffee that is enjoyed around Naples can best be described as: Bold. The southern Italian preference for a darker roast and a more bitter taste is prevalent among the roasters around Naples. Among them are:
- Kimbo – In the 1960s, the Rubino brothers seized the opportunity offered by new packaging techniques. With the revolutionary vacuum can, they could take the real Neapolitan traditional coffee everywhere. With this goal, Kimbo S.p.A. quickly became one of the most important European roasters. Their coffee became famous throughout Italy and then around the world with the Kimbo brand. This is definitely my favorite coffee to enjoy at home or in a caffè and it has been for quite a few years.
- Caffè Borbone – Starting in 1997, the company identified a strong potential for single-serving coffee, which has been the key to their success.
- Caffè Vesuvio Cuore Napoletano – Founded in 1976 by Angelo Sepe and, in addition to roasting, deals with the wholesale trade of sugar. The mission is to create the true Neapolitan coffee thanks to a type of preparation that has now become an art.
Famous Coffee Bars And Cafés In Naples
Without a doubt, my favorite and I would assume the most famous caffè in Naples is Gran Caffè Gambrinus. This historic coffeehouse was established near Piazza del Plebiscito, and it brings you back to an earlier time.
The Cafè became renowned all over Europe because of their confections, ice cream and coffee. This led to the approval by the royal family to be the ‘Supplier of the Royal House’, an honor bestowed by the House of Savoy only to the best suppliers of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
Finishing Off Coffee In Naples
If you are looking for a celebration of coffee, culture and tradition, then Naples should definitely be on your itinerary. The history, influences, food and rugged beauty of the city will make a stop 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 Trieste For The Uninitiated: The Essential Guide
- Palermo Coffee for Tourists: The Essential Guide
- Torino Coffee For Beginners: The Definitive Guide
- Genoa Coffee for Beginners: The Essential Guide
