Italy wants espresso recognized as heritage on the UNESCO list
A small cup of intensely strong, hot espresso: for many people around the world, this is THE way to wake up and start the day. In its birthplace, Italy, it is perfectly normal to stop somewhere on your way to work in the morning, stand at a little bar and knock back an espresso, and if you’re big-hearted, you also pay for a sospeso for someone who can come by later to claim it – someone who can’t afford it themselves (what a brilliant initiative!). Italians are rightly proud of espresso and are calling for it to be recognized on the famous UNESCO list.
Italy is knocking on UNESCO’s door, the protector of world heritage, to have espresso recognized as intangible heritage. No, it isn’t a building or monument (tangible heritage), but it is a major part of the national identity. And according to the country, that deserves to be recognized and protected.
Multibillion-euro industry, but available to everyone
The Italian Espresso Institute, whose aim is to safeguard the quality and promote the strong brew, says that espresso also generates 4 billion euros in annual revenue, and that more than 90% of Italians drink a cup of it every day.
The institute has strict rules for the perfect espresso: the equipment must be certified, as must the coffee beans; after brewing, the crema (the light layer on top) must be even and remain stable for at least two minutes if it isn’t stirred; and the color must range from hazelnut brown to dark brown with yellow-brown accents.
Full confidence
Undersecretary of Agriculture Gian Marco Centinaio says that ‘the authentic ritual of and surrounding espresso is an expression of the country’s sociability, and distinguishes Italy from the rest of the world.’ He has every confidence that UNESCO will approve the request for the special designation and grant it this spring.
Hooray!
This seems like a lovely and well-deserved recognition to me. I mean: among other things, our intangible heritage includes Brabant sausage rolls, Chinese-Indonesian restaurants and bitterballen with drinks (three cheers!); I wholeheartedly wish the Italians espresso on their list!
Read also:
- Pardon? This is what other countries do with our beloved bitterbal
- Eddie’s dining pet peeves: being served that tasteless coffee
- 5 fun facts about cappuccino
Source: The Guardian
