In the heart of Salento, where the sun kisses the earth and the sea embraces the coasts,
one of the most fascinating and refreshing coffee traditions emerges: Caffè Leccese.
This delicacy is not just a drink, but a true ritual that tells the story of a region rich in
culture, passion, and innovation.
A journey to Salento
Before diving into the history of Caffè Leccese, let's take a short journey to discover where
it all began. Salento is a sub-region of Puglia in southern Italy, and Lecce is one of its most
representative cities. Also known as the "Florence of the South" for its rich artistic and
architectural heritage, Lecce is a place where history, tradition, and modernity harmoniously
blend.
The origins of Caffè Leccese
Legend has it that Caffè Leccese was invented by Antonio Quarta at the end of World War
II. Upon his return to Lecce, Antonio opened a bar in the city centre where he began to roast
his own coffee, using blends of beans from Central America. His most famous creation, the
Avio blend, quickly became a symbol of quality and tradition.
Antonio Quarta was not only a roaster but also an innovator. He was the first to equip himself with the
first espresso machines, bringing a touch of modernity to the heart of Salento. But the
brilliant idea that made him famous was iced coffee, a fresh and irresistible variant of coffee
that perfectly suited the hot summers of Puglia.
The creation of iced coffee
The inspiration for Caffè Leccese came from a practical necessity: finding a way to enjoy
coffee even on hot summer days without sacrificing the pleasure of a good cup. Antonio
Quarta had the intuition to serve hot coffee over ice, creating a refreshing drink that was also
rich in flavour.
The traditional preparation of Caffè Leccese involves using a Moka pot, which extracts an
intense and aromatic coffee. Once the coffee is ready, it is poured into a cup and allowed to
rest. Meanwhile, ice and a splash of cold almond milk, made from almonds and sugar
dissolved in water, are added to a glass. The coffee is then poured into the glass, creating a
drink that combines the strength of coffee with the sweetness and freshness of almond milk.
Caffè Leccese today
Today, Caffè Leccese is more popular than ever, a symbol of a tradition that can renew itself
without losing its connection to the past. In the bars of Lecce and Salento, this drink is still
served with the same love and care as in the past, becoming an indispensable ritual for the
region's inhabitants and an unforgettable experience for visitors.
How to prepare true Caffè Leccese
If you want to bring a piece of Salento home, here is the traditional recipe for preparing
Caffè Leccese:
Ingredients:
- Caffè Quarta, prepared with a Moka pot (from three cups)
- Ice
- Almond milk (original recipe: water, sugar, 10% Apulian almonds)
Preparation: - Prepare three cups of Caffè Quarta with the Moka pot. Let the coffee rest in a cup.
- Take three glasses and fill them with ice.
- Add a splash (40 ml) of almond milk to each glass. Make sure the almond milk is cold!
- Pour the coffee resting in the cup into the glasses with ice and almond milk.
Done! Your Caffè Leccese is ready to be enjoyed. Each sip transports you to the heart of
Salento, between its sunny streets and ancient rituals.
Discover Quarta's Avio blend
For an authentic Caffè Leccese, there's nothing better than Quarta's Avio blend, available in
our online shop. This historic blend, made from high-quality beans from Central America,
guarantees.
