The Origin of Affogato Coffee: A Love Story and Introduction to How to Make and Enjoy Affogato Correctly

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The Italian Art of Coffee Innovation

When it comes to coffee, Italians can be said to have taken innovation to its fullest expression. Simply add "any food" to "espresso" and you can give it a completely new name, which is why Italian coffee is also known as fancy coffee.

Some easily conceivable combinations include espresso with milk, cream, water, ice, milk foam, chocolate... but unexpectedly, Italians also add espresso to ice cream, which they call "Affogato."

The Origins of Affogato

Unsurprisingly, Affogato is an Italian word that translates to "drowned." It probably describes the scene of ice cream being drowned in espresso. Exactly when espresso and ice cream were first mixed together is now difficult to trace. However, interestingly, people are divided on whether this product is a beverage or a dessert.

Italian coffee shops believe that everything derived from espresso belongs to Italian coffee beverages - a perspective that emphasizes the espresso. However, it seems that everywhere except coffee shops considers Affogato to be a dessert - a perspective that emphasizes the ice cream.

How to Make Affogato

Making Affogato is also very simple. You only need to prepare two things: vanilla ice cream scoops and freshly extracted espresso. Of course, you also need an exquisite container - don't ask why, just look at the picture below.

(The recipe is right, but something still feels off)

After preparing a beautiful cup, place the ice cream scoops, and then comes the most exciting part - pouring the espresso. The hot espresso poured over the frozen ice cream, the ice cream melted by the coffee then blends with the coffee - how romantic.

The Perfect Harmony of Flavors

If you like coffee and also like ice cream, then Affogato can satisfy both your wishes at once. The espresso melts some of the ice cream, making the coffee itself have a stronger body, and the vanilla-flavored ice cream pairs perfectly with espresso, neutralizing the bitterness in the espresso. And a bite of ice cream also reveals the aroma of espresso.

Variations Around the World

Of course, this is just the most basic version of Affogato. As Affogato spread to different places, many different recipes emerged. Sometimes local vanilla ice cream is used, drizzled with caramel sauce to add sweetness, or sprinkled with cocoa powder and cinnamon powder; some restaurants use high-quality olive oil to replace espresso; in Japan, there's even a version with soy sauce.

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