On the occasion of International Coffee Day, the Italian Cultural Institute in Mumbai and the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai organized a special event dedicated to the cultural, sensory and social dimensions of coffee, bringing together Italian and Indian perspectives on one of the world’s most beloved beverages.
The event offered an opportunity to explore the history and evolution of coffee in Italy: from the birth of the first literary cafés, which became meeting places for writers, intellectuals and artists, to coffee as an everyday ritual deeply rooted in Italian culture. The program also looked towards the future, focusing on the importance of sustainability in coffee production and on the challenges facing the sector.
A special focus was placed on the connections between Italian and Indian coffee cultures.
Emanuela Panke introduced the cultural significance of coffee and illustrated some of the different preparation methods traditionally used in Italy, also exploring the characteristics of Indian monsooned coffee.
Alberto Di Stolfo, coffee expert from Caffè Vergnano, presented the history and identity of the Italian company and guided participants through the different stages involved in coffee extraction, offering insights into the processes behind the preparation of a cup of coffee.
The event also invited participants to experience coffee through different senses: a dedicated sensory kit allowed visitors to explore its characteristics through touch, smell and sound. The experience was further enhanced by VR viewers, which offered a 360-degree virtual journey inside a traditional bar in Palermo, bringing an Italian coffee experience to Mumbai.
The event highlighted how coffee can become a starting point for cultural exchange: a shared ritual capable of connecting traditions, places and people, while opening a conversation between Italy and India on culture, innovation and sustainability.
The event was organized by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura Mumbai and the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai, in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IICCI), with the support of SMEG and Caffè Vergnano.
