A global jump in coffee bean prices caused in part by trade disruptions and climate change has alarmed italians. Nearly three-quarters of the Italians drink coffee by which almost always mean espresso for them at least once a day.
Most Italians consider coffee ritual to be important in their daily life. That’s why they also expect their coffee to be cheap and available for little more than pocket change at any bar counter.
Brewing coffee for Italians is like tradition, the people who invented espresso and the commercial machines and stove top pots to make coffee , might hardly seem like a leap of faith.
Italians are viewing rising espresso prices as an attack on tradition. Many of them are already turning to home brewing machines or boycotting their favourite cafes too.
The traditional Italian coffee bar relies on coffee sales as thirty percent of its revenue comes from coffee , said by Mr Luciano Sbraga, deputy director for the Federation of Italian Public Establishments, a trade association for the food and hospitality sector.
This creates a challenging act for the cafe owners. Gianni Manganiello, runs the Tazza D’Oro coffee shop in Rome’s Centocelle district, recently increased the price of espresso from 90 cents to €1 per cup, which makes a huge difference .
Experts warn that unless global coffee markets stabilize, Italy’s daily coffee culture may never be the same . And for a nation that thrives on expresso-fueled conversation and connection, that’s a bitter pill to swallow for the Italians.