espresso(s) i have loved: italy 2011

Please indulge me while I devote this entire post to my minor obsession with photographing espresso beverages during our trip to Italy. I’m sure I annoyed my husband no end with my repeated pleas to “wait just a sec… let me photograph it”. Meanwhile, he was probably thinking, “babe, it’s getting cold; get on with it!”

Ever since we had our family photo shoot with the amazing Calvina (www.calvinaphotography.com), I’ve been trying to duplicate what she did so effortlessly: capture the mystery and magic found in a little shot of espresso.

Herewith are my attempts to catalog some of the coffee-related highlights of our trip. Read on and be somewhat impressed with my perfect recall of who drank what where!!

This cappuccino was from the first morning in Florence. Very pretty foam pattern but truly a dull drink. Obviously, they cater mainly to tourists.

I love the story suggested by Becky’s hand holding her post-lunch espresso (Waiting for a lover? Or a bit of ennui now that the meal was over?).

It was the first Sunday of our two-week vacation and we made a short trek to my favorite hamlet in Tuscany: Volpaia. The eight of us had such a nice lunch despite the heat and the 30+ Italians celebrating a baptism at the next table. Beck, I loved your adventurous spirit throughout the trip!

Fabrizzio discussing grind and pressure specifics with Paul on our first return visit to Bar Dante Alighieri. Please note that his machine is a Vibiemme!! We did not know this prior to ordering our (Vibiemme) machine in 2007.

The crema is just gorgeous… we were almost drooling at this point.

A straight pour, no shrugging to get a design. And yet… it’s sheer perfection.

This is a repeat of the top photo: my first cappuccino in Radda. Out of curiousity, I switched to macchiato on my second visit – and never went back!

Taken at a bar across from the Duomo in Florence. Paul and I enjoyed coffee and pastries while Becky and the kids climbed 800+ steps up and down the Campanile!

One of the final mornings of our stay. We visited nearby Monteriggioni with Mathew. Dane wants everyone to know he ordered and tried a macchiato there (Mom finished it!).