Italy always reveals secret corners and stories even in a quiet town like Alessandria in Piedmont.
While not as famous as its neighbours, Asti and Alba, Alessandria has its own famous history worth discovering.
I was lucky enough to spend a crisp early September morning uncovering the story of the “Marocchino” – a coffee drink invented here. The drink is always served in a small glass and consists of a shot of espresso (sometimes a small shot, or ristretto), cocoa powder and milk froth. The name Marocchino (Italian for Moroccan) was given to the drink due to its colour, which resembles the light brown leather of the same name. The marocchino leather was used in the 1930s by the famous local hat brand “Borsalino” to make the inner edges of their iconic hats.
I sampled the smooth Marocchino at the Lokomoderno Bar located in the centre of town.The barman, Marcello Maino, skillfully prepared the coffee as he explained the history and technique. The three simple ingredients, powdered dark chocolate, espresso and foamed milk, must be arranged in just the right order and quantities to properly create this delicacy.
After the delicious Marocchino tasting, I went to see the inspiration for the coffee at the Borsalino shop. I was too early to enter the store but luckily they have incredible window displays that allowed me to appreciate their artistry. Borsalino is the oldest Italian company specializing in the manufacture of luxury hats. The company has a long-running and special bond with the film industry. In fact, one picture stands out above all: Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the unforgettable final scene of Casablanca. Others include; Marcello Mastroianni in 8 ½, and Robert De Niro in Once Upon A Time in America. Both films beautifully showcase the famous Borsalino hats.
Alessandria is a lovely stop on the way from Milan to Piedmont. If you would like to learn more about Borsalino hat shopping and a Marocchino tasting or would like to add it to your bucket list, please get in contact!
Ciao!
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Sonia SperoniSonia is the Ormina Tours Product Manager – read more about Sonia here. She is an Italian local and specialises in high-end food & wine tours. There is no one experience that defines her love for Italy and Europe. Instead she revels in creating products and itineraries that showcase diversity.
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