How Starbucks Is Ruining Italian Coffee Culture
My disdain for how Starbucks is ruining Italian coffee culture and how they confuse their products with real Italian coffee is not new.
I recently wrote about their efforts to further confuse their products with actual Italian coffee culture, and I also wrote about some Italian-American businesses pushing back on Starbucks and their desires to encroach on the beautiful Italian Culture in the North End in Boston.
While I’ve never liked their dilution of actual culture, is hasn’t always been obvious what tangible effects this could have, beyond confusing customers and running small coffee shops out of business. Well, that was true until very recently…
Recent Coffee Related Events
On a trip to NYC, we ate a fabulous meal at one of our favorite restaurants, Ribalta. Their pizza is true Neapolitan style, the wine selection is fantastic, their service if great, and if you go at the right time you can enjoy a Calcio (soccer) game with a very spirited and lively crowd. We try to go whenever we are in town, and this recent trip was no exception. At the end of our delicious meal, we ordered some dolci and a couple macchiati. The waiter took our order for dessert, stopped and confirmed with us that the coffee we wanted was a shot of espresso. Confused, we responded “yes”, but I though to myself: “as opposed to what?”
Again last week, when my wife went to a coffee-shop and ordered a macchiato, the barista confirmed with her that she was expecting an espresso drink. My wife said yes, but noticing the confused look on her face, the barista explained that many people order a macchiato and aren’t expecting a real one, they are looking for one of those nasty sugar and whipped cream disasters that they serve at Starbucks. When they are served a real macchiato, they’re disappointed.
Supporting Italian Coffee Culture
This is a clear example intentionally fostering confusion with customers as to what very specific Italian products are in order to attract a larger, if ignorant, client base. Starbucks seems fine with this, but I’m not and if you love Italian coffee and its culture, you shouldn’t be OK with it either. Please learn what a true macchiato is and buy those, or of course you could make them at home with some delicious Italian coffees and stove-top espresso makers. We’re passionate about Italian Coffee Culture and feel the need to support cultural appropriation by Starbucks!
More Italian Coffee Experiences
If you are interested in learning more about the Italian coffee and the culture that embraces it, you should check out some of our other posts:
- Are Sant’Eustachio Coffee Beans Worth A Taste In Rome?
- The Most Popular Italian Coffee To Enjoy.
- Where Can You Find Some Amazing Italian Coffee?
- Get Information on Lavazza in Part 1 and Part 2.
- Authentic Italian Cappuccino Is A Great Way To Start The Day.
- illy India Coffee Will Start Your Morning With Flavor.
- When Is A Macchiato Not A Real Macchiato?
- Battista Coffee In Puglia Roast Coffee You Need To Try.
- A Caffè Motto Review – A Coffee Favorite From Naples.
