Italian cafes in danger?

by Nick Vagnoni, Posted Oct 16th 2005 @ 5:09PM

Automated coffee machines may soon supplant the Italian coffee bar.

In a recent article in The Observer, Barbara McMahon reports on the growing popularity of coffee vending machines throughout Italy. Rather than ordering their macchiato from a café, more and more Italians are ordering from machines that can serve up a cup for less money in about half the time.

McMahon reports that roughly half a million of these machines were installed in public places in Italy last year. Home models are also becoming more prevalent.

Many are still skeptical, however.

“The skill of a barista cannot be replicated by a machine,” said Carlo Odello of the Italian National Institute for Espresso in Brescia.

I'd say that the simple fact that Italy has a National Institute for Espresso bodes well for maintaining the tradition.

Source

Filed Under: Trends, Drink Recipes
Tags: coffee, mediterranean