Barista’s Corner
Hayden’s Take
Our "quarterback" of the espresso bar and latte art master extraordinaire shares her experience of coffee and traveling abroad.
In Germany I had the luck of staying with my friend’s family. This of course means I had a more authentic experience of the country overall, but it was excellent for a less obvious reason...my friend’s father is from Naples!
It’s not that Germans don’t take their coffee seriously; they do, and cafe culture is real, slow, and part of life. That said, nobody takes espresso more seriously than Mr. P. Not only were cappuccinos necessary breakfast items but coffee was, throughout the day, a reason to pause, reflect, and enjoy each other’s company.
Coming back to the United States I was somewhat dreading the fast-paced, supplementary nature of coffee. But that’s where In Dietro comes in! Not only is the quality of the espresso like that I had in Europe (especially the color and thickness of the crema, not to get nerdy), but the atmosphere especially brings me back to Europe. Our cafe is a slow place where it’s okay to stop and enjoy company, good coffee, and life as a whole. Even when working here I am reminded with every beautiful espresso to pause and appreciate my surroundings.
🇮🇹 Italian Idiom of the Month 🇮🇹
"Avere sale in zucca!"
"You've got salt in your pumpkin!"
In idiomatic expressions, it’s common for Italians to use the word zucca, which means pumpkin, gourd, or squash, to draw comparisons to human heads and brains. Here, the word zucca is also used as a synonym for “head” and salt, figuratively, as a synonym for wisdom, judgment and common sense. Italians use this phrase to mean "you're smart as a whip!"
☕ Coffee Fact
The Science of Pumpkin Spice
Why do we CRAVE pumpkin spice the minute the season changes? The scientific answer can be explained by pumpkin’s effect on our senses of taste and smell. Dr. John McGann from Rutgers University explains that most of what we associate as taste is actually smell. His research has shown that the sense of smell has a more direct connection to the portions of the brain that are associated with memory. When those tinges of pumpkin and nutmeg hit our nostrils, it sends the human olfactory (sense of smell) system into a frenzy that eventually leads back to our brain. This neurological overstimulation, combined with nostalgic-ridden atmospheres and cozy memories, can lead to everything pumpkin being associated with positivity in peoples’ lives, thus making the drive for them even stronger.
The pumpkin spice boom and its subsequent enduring enthusiasm by fanatics everywhere is the result of a heady combination of several contributing factors, including nostalgia, powerful spices and flavoring, supply-and-demand scarcity, and an olfactory overload. From a Western, cultural standpoint, its arrival also signals the (albeit somewhat premature) beginning of the holiday season, spanning from the beginning of September until after Christmas. The annual thrill of the arrival of all things pumpkin has not faded, and is likely to continue to last for a very long time.
Ask Babbo
Babbo, is it true that Italians don’t drink cappuccino in the afternoon?
There's quite a few coffee rules (spoken and unspoken) in Italy so here's a little breakdown of the coffee etiquette in Italy.
Italians don’t drink cappuccinos after 11:00 am. The same goes for latte macchiatos. And if you want a “latte”, you must ask for a latte macchiato, otherwise you will just be given warm milk. Unfortunately, I found this out the hard way!
When you want to order an “espresso” you simply ask for a “caffè”. The way to order in Italy is, “Prendo un caffè” which means “I take a coffee”. You can order a double (doppio) espresso, but Italians prefer to sip one and then another, instead of doing both at once. It is not uncommon for people to have an espresso in the morning, at 11, after lunch about 1:30 and again at 5 o’clock. What I’ve learned about the pharmacology of caffeine is that the best way to intake it is 50 mg every four hours (the approximate amount in a cup of espresso) to have a steady state. Italians apparently figured this out a long time ago.
You can find iced coffee in Italy, although it is not common and it won’t be in a cup bigger than what we consider a “small”. In the summer, you can order a shakerato (espresso shaken over ice then strained) or a caffè freddo (cold espresso).
When you pay for your coffee use cash only, preferably exact change. Some bars have you pay first and then show your receipt to the Barista. Others have you order your drink then pay when you leave. And speaking of the bar - that’s where Italians take their caffè in the morning. Espresso is served in a porcelain cup with saucer (no to go cups) and you can sit or stand at the bar (a piedi), enjoying the caffeine and company at your side.
🎃 Upcoming Events
• Saturday 11/30 - Small Business Saturday
Start your holiday shopping at In Dietro Caffè!
• Saturday 12/7 - 4:30 PM - 9 PM Dicken's Festival
🍂 Our Fall Hours 🍂
Monday - Thursday • 8AM - 2PM
Friday - Sunday •. 8AM - 4PM
We will be OPEN on Thanksgiving - Thursday, November 28 from 8AM - 12PM.
