I was sick with some kind of killer flu, the temperature was about 37 degrees, it was pouring icy rain, and I was determined to have a cup of the famous coffee I had see on the Today Show. This wasn’t ordinary coffee, but the famous Bicerin. The historic drink of Turin, which has evolved from the eighteenth century “bavareisa”, was created in the little café I was determined to visit.
I walked to the train, then found a taxi and managed to communicate to the Italian driver where I wanted to go. We pulled up in front of the tiny shop in the photo above where about 10 people stood outside in the pouring rain waiting for a table. I took my place at the end, fever and all, and waited. I really didn’t wait too long before a young American couple in front of me invited me to join them at a little table for three. As you can tell this was one of those moments that will be a lifetime memory for me.
So what is this drink? It’s an exquisite mixture of espresso, chocolate ( the process is a well-guarded secret) and fresh cream, served in a tall glass so you can admire the wonderful layers that make it extraordinary. Concentrated chocolate, cream from the top of the milk, and espresso, combine to deliver a powerful drink with a flavor so unique and incredible it might be worth the cost of an airline ticket just to have it again.
In case you didn’t know it, today (September 29th) is National Coffee Day. I celebrated this morning going by going to Starbucks for the Pumpkin Spice Latte.
I celebrated in the afternoon by going to Edgar’s Bakery and enjoying their flavored coffee of the day.
And this evening I had a cup of O’Henry’s direct trade coffee from Rwanda. Surely I have done my part to make this a great day of coffee enjoyment!
So there couldn’t be a better day to announce that in a few weeks we will have our first WorldCrafts fair trade Christmas coffee available for anyone in Birmingham. If you live in our area, be watching my blog and Facebook so you’ll know when to come to our shop and take your own bag home.
Coffee isn’t any better when enjoyed with something sweet and a good book. Here’s my selection for today. Enjoy Red Ink, an amazing story of a young woman in China, written by Kathi Macias.
