Cofee in Italy - Buonissimo Cafe

Espresso maker that most Italians have in their homes. It costs about 25 Euros. It's a lot cheaper and does the job better at making coffee than a lot of the more expensive machines that cost over 100 Euros. 

This is what it looks like taken apart.

This is my Braun coffee maker that makes filtered coffee.

It was truly difficult to find a filtered coffee machine for a reasonable price. I scoured the shelves of many stores to find this not so attractive machine that cost just under 40 Euros. 

I know that people rave about the coffee in Italy. However, I'm not one of them. I don't mind the lattes and the cappuccinos. They're fairly good here. The thing is - I'm a regular coffee drinker. The type to leisurely drink a cup of coffee with a bit of cream or milk; to take it to go in a coffee cup or in a thermos where I can drink it, while walking along the street, or taking it to the office. They serve and drink coffee in Italy in tiny cups where you have a couple sips and you're done. I am not a fan of espressos or double espressos, etc. How do I feel when I drink the Italian cafe? It's like I'm drinking syrup. There is no coffee to go. There's no leisurely drinking. Italians drink coffee like they're drinking a shot of liquor. They drink it mainly for the caffeine jolt and consider it to be breakfast.

I realize that I may be the only person in the world who doesn't like Italian cafe. Many Italians would be offended by what I'm saying. Every Italian I've ever met has said the same thing, "Our coffee is the best coffee in the world." They also say that their food is the best in the world. I say, "Everything is subjective. I don't agree." If you ask a barista in Italy for an American coffee, which is filtered coffee, they will give you espresso watered down - YUCK!

Certainly, many of the world's cafes are founded on the Italian model. One of Starbucks founders, Howard Schultz was inspired by his trip to Italy and the way Italians made and drink coffee. The Italian coffee bar model was one of Starbuck's main inspirations in creating the design for Starbucks. They re-engineered the Italian coffee culture in order to fit North American and British taste buds and sensibilities. There are no Starbucks or their equivalent in Italy - I suppose because Italians wouldn't stand for it, which makes me appreciate coffee even more when I travel. One thing I do object about Starbucks and other similar establishments are the high prices of coffee. In Italy, the prices are a little more reasonable. But, understandably, as a former employer and employee (not of Starbucks), Starbucks is to be recommended for their employee benefits program, so I suppose....the high prices can be justified - JUST.