Fall in Love with Italy, One Cap at a Time

Dear SOON(ER) to be traveler,

As college students, we view caffeine as a necessary evil to getting hard work completed. Late nights in the Bizz usually call for whatever coffee is still available in the wee hours of the night, and walks to class make the Starbucks on Campus Corner look like the entrance to Heaven. I personally have been desensitized to what quality coffee tastes like and how it makes me feel. Over the last year, I had completely cut coffee out of my life and opted for tea to avoid the negative side effects I felt from coffee.

Before my senior year of high school, I had come with my family to Italy for the summer and remembered my love for a drink that is had at almost every meal. To say that I am obsessed with Italian cappuccinos is an understatement. The coffee here is a mixture of a sweet treat and, while it is almost 100 degrees on the daily, the hot substance brings a refreshing sense of comfort.

Cappuccinos are offered at almost every restaurant and usually suggested at the end of your meal. They are incredibly simple to make: a shot of espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk at the top. They are not your typical American latte, because the espresso and steamed milk are not mixed together. With a cappuccino, the milk is intentionally crafted to rest on the top of the espresso shot.

I have made it my mission to find the best cappuccino in Arezzo. Hands down, it is at the Bar Stefano. The quant bakery is a minute from the Annex, where classes are held, and it has a small-town feel. Walking in, I see the same faces and am offered the same warm welcome every day; you can practically smell the fresh pastries they make every morning from down the street, which only invites you in further. They carefully take the time to measure the exact amount of coffee, which allows the cappuccino to taste sweet rather than bitter or overpowering.

The milk on top is as soft as pillows, with a dainty heart for the aesthetic that everyone wants. Once they place it in front of you, they linger to make sure it is absolutely perfect. The coffee itself is amazing, but the attention to detail makes the cappuccino unmatched.

Coffee isn’t offered on the voucher list, but having Italian cappuccino is an essential part of the culture. This is not only for the “pick-me-up” but also for the notes of warmth and comfort it exudes. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try a cappuccino. You won’t be disappointed. Ciao for now!

Boomer,

Arabella Blanc