me: You know, in America we have flavored coffee.
Italian person: Flavored? Coffee?
me: Yes, like hazelnut, French vanilla...and around this time of year there's a spicy, cinnamon-y pumpkin flavor.
Italian person: *head explodes*
It's very hard for them to grasp why and how we would "ruin" such an aged tradition as coffee. I try to tell them that it's America, we like options, we like sweet things, we like choices! But their lives are just too simple for that sort of thing, I guess. Five cereals in the cereal aisle, one type of coffee and that's that. What's good is good and there's no adding pumpkin to a perfectly decent espresso.
Which I agree with wholeheartedly.
Well.
Agreed with.
Until I made my own pumpkin spice latte.
1 espresso shot
1 cup milk, warmed
1 tbs pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
1 tsp light brown sugar
1 pinch cinnamon, 1 pinch nutmeg (or 1 big pinch pumpkin pie spices)
Whisk the pumpkin with the warm milk well. Add the sugar and spices and whisk until super frothy. (Here I strained the milk and pumpkin mixture into a very fine mesh sieve because my puree was a bit on the chunky side. Consider this optional!) Pour into your cup with the espresso in it. Top with another sprinkle of the spices and maybe some whipped cream if you’re feeling adventurous. (You may need more sugar to taste, depending on how sweet you like your coffee.)
And let me just say, I love you Italy, but pair your perfectly decent espresso with nothing but all-American ingenuity and you’ve got a little cup of autumn paradise. But I might just have to wait until hell freezes over to convince them.
P.S. More coffee creations: how to make espresso and shaken iced coffee!
Grazie mille! As an American living in Italy, of course I'm jonesin' for a pumpkin spice latte! But I couldn't think how to get the pumpkin in: put it in, strain it out! [doh!] We could even cook up a pumpkin syrup that way :o I read your blog to help me appreciate this place. I did not move here for love; my husband was offered a job we couldn't resist, but my personality is a poor match for the culture. I like knowing expectations, everybody following the same rules. Italians' need for ambiguity and wiggle room (not to mention nepotism) drives me crazy. Other folks enjoy the fluidity and that. It's hard for me. So, thank you for showing Italy through your eyes, eyes of love.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing! Anything with pumpkin spice in front of it is bound to be a winner in my book :)
ReplyDeleteGah I can make this at home?! Even as an American with ample amounts of cafes with pumpkin spice lattes, this is great! I'll need to make some myself :)
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you! Like your Italian friends I also can't imagine anything like adding pumpkin to your coffee:). My head explodes:)
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOODNESS YOU DID NOT JUST GIVE ME A SUPER SIMPLE HOMEMADE PSL RECIPE!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCan you sense my excitement over this? Also, the Italians just don't understand - we're a young culture. America is a baby compared to Italy. We're still playing & experimenting with our food! :)
That looks so good, and much more natural than starbucks. Pumpkin is in the air today, I just posted a recipe for pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Check it out if you're in the mood for more pumpkin!
ReplyDeleteHere's the link for the pumpkin cupcakes: http://brigetteliliana.blogspot.com/2012/10/nostalgic-pumpkin-cupcakes-with-cream.html
ReplyDeleteYour conversation was hysterical... **head explodes** :)
ReplyDeletehaha! and it's true! i tried telling my future father-in-law, some adult students and manu, and they all were like O_O wide eyed and scared!
ReplyDeletethanks dear! we have a whole collection of this pattern!
ReplyDeletethank you so much, they are adorable!
ReplyDeletei agree! though i admit i've never tried a "real" psl from starbucks!
ReplyDeletehahaha perfect analogy!
ReplyDeletehaha! well that's because you're not american, only we would do something so crazy as that. :)
ReplyDeleteyes! yes you can! :) let me know if you do!
ReplyDeletetotally agree. it's just a great flavor! simply!
ReplyDeletei need to add this to the recipe! thank you for reminding me! i took a pumpkin (zucca) and chopped it in cubes. i boiled it and then pureed it in my blender really well. there were some fibers, that's why i strained in the end, but i could have pureed a bit more i think! hope it goes well! where do you live, by the way?
ReplyDeletebahhaha head explodes. love it :) if i was a coffee drinker i would be ALL over this!
ReplyDeleteTHIS SOUNDS ABSOLUTELY DIVINE!!!!! I love any type of warm, fall, coffee-like drink, so this is right up my alley! I'm printing this out as I type this and I'm about to investigate this "shaken iced coffee" as well! Also, your food photography is just lovely!
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to swing by my blog and check it out! I do various kinds of photography and I just put up a post about a quick, 10-second, professional-looking cake decorating tip! Please follow if you'd like! I would really appreciate it and would love to hear from you!
nehaneha made
wow, that's something i didn't know about you! are you a tea drinker?
ReplyDeletehi neha! thanks so much, i'm glad you like the recipe and the photography! i will definitely check out your blog! :)
ReplyDelete