This post has been sponsored by Nespresso. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I can still remember my first cup of coffee in Rome, Italy. I was studying abroad in Italy during my junior year in college for art history credits. It was my first time leaving the country, and I was feeling a mix of excitement and nervous about this new adventure. When I arrived in Rome I headed straight for a small cafe with a classmate to get some coffee (we obviously didn’t sleep on the flight). We were both determined to fight through our lack of sleep and jet lag with a large cup of coffee.
My Experience with Coffee in Italy
At this point, my experience with coffee was a means of survival each morning. In college, it was always a hurried rush through the dining hall to grab a bagel and a large cup of coffee before running to class. I didn’t care if the coffee was watered down or sitting out for hours. Coffee was just coffee to me.
As we made our way into a crowded cafe in Rome, we found a seat by the bar. I quickly realized ordering coffee wasn’t going to be easy when the menu didn’t just say “coffee”. I nervously ordered what I thought was coffee and was presented with an espresso. Espresso was completely foreign to me, and I could barely take a sip after realizing how strong it was. My friend and I looked at each other with a smile and said “when in Rome.”
What I Learned from Italy
Don’t worry, I soon learned the ropes when it came to ordering coffee or an espresso in Italy. To be honest the taste of espresso quickly grew on me, and I loved the flavor and aroma. I was also loving how laid back everyone was in the morning sitting at a cafe. My hurried days in the dining hall compared to sipping an espresso with a cornetto (Italian version of a croissant) at a cafe were astonishingly different. Mornings are something to truly savor when you’re in Italy. You sit with family or friends and talk while enjoying your coffee and pastry. The idea of grabbing a cup of coffee to go just doesn’t happen in Italy.
This idea of savoring my morning with coffee was something that really stuck with me when I came home. I loved my days touring museums and learning about art in Rome and Florence, but those slow mornings in Italy are some of my favorite memories. I know it’s easy to rush around with your cup of coffee, watch TV or scroll through your phone in the morning (I’m guilty of this some days). What I’ve learned is that starting my morning with a cup of espresso using the Napoli Pods in the Nespresso Essenza Mini C Black is the best way to begin my day. I love a quiet moment, sitting in my kitchen banquette and enjoying this intense dark roast espresso in my Lungo Glass.
Why I Love Nespresso
Since that first visit to Italy in college, I’ve traveled to Italy two more times. I spent a week in Venice last spring, and traveled throughout Italy for my honeymoon last September. After our trip to Venice, I told my husband, “I want my coffee to taste like Italy at home.” Our regular coffee pot just wasn’t cutting it for me anymore. I was craving coffee that had rich, intense, depth of flavor with foam on top. The taste of coffee that would transport me to those small cafes on the canal in Venice each morning.
That’s when we decided to register for a Nespresso machine for our wedding. It’s honestly one of my favorite gifts, and something we use every. single. morning. I actually look forward to getting out of bed so I can enjoy my cup of coffee in this quiet corner of our kitchen. Transporting myself back our honeymoon in Positano where we enjoyed breakfast on the terrace listening to the ocean waves and boat horns.
Savoring My Mornings With Nespresso
My favorite part about Nespresso machines is how easy they are to use. I think I was intimated about the idea of making an espresso at home with a ton of gadgets on a machine. With the Nespresso Essenza Mini C Black you can enjoy a delicious espresso in just minutes with a click of a button. I’m also a huge fan of the countless options of espresso capsules that are available from a light roast, flavored, decaf or a dark blend like the Napoli Pods. You can visit Nespresso to learn more about the capsules, and all your coffee needs. Personally, I love a rich, dark blend type of coffee or espresso so the Napoli Pods are my favorite.
With your espresso you can also create a variety of delicious coffee recipes in your own home. How does an iced mocha or peppermint latte sound right now? You can visit the Nespresso Pinterest page to find some easy recipes to try with your Nespresso Essenza Mini C Black machine. However you choose to enjoy your coffee, you can’t go wrong with Nespresso. From that first sip of espresso in Rome, to my kitchen in Grand Rapids, I love how Nespresso transports me back to my favorite moments in Italy each morning.
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