Italy and coffee go together like a horse and carriage. Modern coffee culture (Starbucks etc etc etc) was formed here pre WWII. The American soldiers took a liking for the beverage back to the states and it was a slow evolution to the Starbucks coffee culture that eventually emerged. Ironically, there are now Starbucks in Italy, even in Florence, which makes me a little sad.

At my local bar (which means caffe or coffee shop), they take coffee seriously. I can get a rich creamy cappuccino any day of the week for 1.40 Euro, which is less than $2. Crazy!

I noticed this sign hung in my bar and I have translated it for you below. It should convince you about the level of expertise in the coffee served here!