PolskiWhat does“dolce vita” have in common with the feminine ritual that energizes you before you leave the house? A cup of artisanal espresso from the small, family-owned roaster Antichi Sapori Estensi. A Harvard study, carried out as part of the Nurses’ Health Study, shows that drinking one to five cups of black coffee a day may increase women’s chances of so-called “healthy aging.” However, it’s worth remembering that a coffee latte can provide about 200 kcal and 14 g of sugar – so it acts more like a small dessert than a drink. Therefore, more and more of us reach for an essential espresso or a creamy cappuccino – although, according to Italian etiquette, the latter should be ordered only until 11:00. After noon, only “un caffè” reigns – strong, short, without unnecessary additives. Such is the Italian school of style: simple, but with character. Interestingly, studies show that men and women react differently to the taste of pure espresso – but just by adding a little milk, these differences almost disappear. That’s why Italian roaster Antichi Sapori Estensi offers both intense, stimulating blends, as well as milder 100% Arabica blends that pair perfectly with milky notes. Increasingly, the choice of coffee is not just a matter of taste, but part of daily self-care – a conscious decision that is part of the dolce vita ritual: feminine, aromatic and full of energy.
Table of Contents:
- La Dolce Espresso – where the magic of the Italian ritual comes from
- Antichi Sapori Estensi: the story of the family roaster from Ferrara and the collaboration with distributor Kavotti
- Women’s coffee choices – why lattes tempt and espresso adds power
- Health in a cup – what the latest research says about caffeine, sugar and calories
- How to drink Italian – the rules of cappuccino before 11 o’clock and espresso “al banco”
- Home dolce vita station – equipment, mixes and tips for the everyday barista
- Your moment for yourself: coffee as a woman’s ritual of conscious choice
La Dolce Espresso – where the magic of the Italian ritual comes from
The hot air smells of freshly ground beans, the porcelain cup steams your fingertips, and the barista skillfully taps the lever of the flask. The Italian dolce vita begins right here – at the bar, standing up, in thirty seconds. In Italy, cappuccino is drunk only until 11 a.m., then “un caffè,” or espresso, reigns supreme, sipped like perfume in concentrate: a short pause, a smile, a few words with the bartender – and then on your way. A daily, microscopic luxury, without which it is hard to imagine the southern pace of life. When the alarm clock rings in the morning, an espresso “al banco” acts as a magical reset: a smile, a moment of ritual – and you’re good to go. Each sip is a moment of celebration, even if you drink it on the run before leaving for work.
Antichi Sapori Estensi: the story of the family roaster from Ferrara and the collaboration with Kavotti
The small town of Sant’Agostino, near Ferrara, is home to the Antichi Sapori Estensi roastery – a boutique manufactory that has opted for 25-minute drum roasting and hand supervision of each batch instead of belt production. The brand’s creators believe that espresso tasting is the art of contemplation, not a cursory sip of caffeine. To this day, they remain true to the artisanal DNA: they import beans directly from cooperatives, support women’s cooperatives in Guatemala and El Salvador, and the finished blends – Ferrara, Firenze, Venezia or 100% Arabica Mogiana – are delivered to customers only after the beans have been “rested” for several days. According to the founders, espresso tasting is an act of contemplation, not a sip of the drink for a “to-go.” And in Poland? It all goes directly to the exclusive distributor and coffee shop Kavotti.com – fresh, aromatic and ready right out of the oven.
Women’s coffee choices – why lattes tempt and espresso adds power
Sensory studies show that women and men evaluate pure espresso differently, but when milk is added, these differences almost disappear – hence the popularity of lattes and cappuccinos in women’s orders. At the same time, a 2024 international survey shows that 77% of drinkers add milk or plant-based substitutes, with preference for oatmeal increasing by 90% in two years – “women’s-plant-based” choices are now as fashionable as a silk latte shirt. Meanwhile, espresso – short, strong, unsweetened – is gaining a unique status as a precious dose of energy: instead of a caloric snack, it provides a clean shot of caffeine and flavor.
Health in a cup – what the latest research says
The latest analysis of data from 47,513 participants in the famous Nurses “Health Study shows that each additional cup of black coffee (up to five a day) increases women” s chances of “healthy aging” by 2-5%. Harvard’s Nutrition Source reminds us that 2-5 servings (95-400 mg of caffeine) are linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, depression and heart disease. However, you need to know the mod “ingredients”: an average 350 ml latte with cow’s milk and sugar is about 60 kcal and 13 g of sugars – a small liquid dessert. Therefore, nutritionists recommend: treat lattes as a snack, espresso – as a functional shot of flavor.
How to drink Italian – the rules of cappuccino before 11 o’clock and espresso al banco
Italian etiquette is strict: cappuccino until noon, then only espresso; drink at the bar(al banco), without a paper cup, and order the “latte” as a caffè latte, so as not to get milk alone. The price: at a local bar should not exceed one euro. Exceptions are rarer than bare feet under a medical conservatory in Padua. And in Poland? Even the “kitchen-barista” style can take on that Italian lightness.
Home dolce vita station – barista mixes and tips
In hybrid mode, the kitchen is increasingly transforming into a home bar, a place for a momentary respite, a creative break and a coffee ritual. That’s why experienced baristas advise on how to easily create a unique café atmosphere in your own home – from the selection of beans to the small rituals that turn a cup of coffee into a small daily pleasure. As for the blends from the Italian coffee manufactory and roaster Antichi? The choice depends on the need:
- Antichi Ferrara – power, 100% robusta, nutty flavor, cocoa and notes of toasted bread straight into espresso and flat white coffee.
- Antichi Firenze – 40% Arabica, 60% Robusta, chocolate creaminess, is a highly recommended and versatile coffee.
- Antichi Venezia – the subtlety of Arabica for any version of the coffee machine – ideal for milk coffees.
And if you need a break from caffeine, reach for the decaffeinated Antichi Decaffeinato from the same Antichi Sapori Estensi roaster – the taste remains haute couture, albeit without the “spikes” and adrenaline.
Your moment for yourself – coffee as a woman’s ritual of conscious choice
A morning makeup, a drop of your favorite fragrance and… a cup of espresso. In a world that measures time in milliseconds, stopping for 30 seconds at the bar – even at home – is an act of luxurious self-care. By choosing your blend, calorie and serving time, you decide not only your taste, but also your health and mood. La Dolce Espresso, then, is more than fashion; it’s a manifesto that women’s choices can be both stylish, conscious and energized. Drink to the bottom, smile at yourself in the mirror and set out to conquer the world – from Ferrara straight to the runways of everyday life….
