Coffee

I’m getting the hang of the Florence coffee bar scene. Since entering Italy, we’ve found the caffe Americano is almost undrinkable and the drinkability/quality of a latte is totally unpredictable. So I’m getting into hard core espresso for the first time. Using my sagging energy a motivator, I went coffee bar hopping this afternoon.

Macchiato now is my drink of choice, espresso in a tiny cup with just a little milk on the top. Italians whip into a bar, order their espresso, a half-ounce of dark liquid served in white china, down it in one gulp, pay and leave, all within five minutes. Served this way, the drink costs .90 Euro. To sit down, the same drink is 3.50. I’ll be honest; I had three this afternoon, from three different bars—each with a unique name, but as common as Starbucks. I liked them all but am giving the nod to one place as my favorite. I may return with a new habit to support—but it sure helped me get though the afternoon today!