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Type | Dessert |
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Place of origin | Italy |
Main ingredients | Gelato or ice cream (vanilla), espresso |
An affogato (/ˌɑːfəˈɡɑːtoʊ, ˌæf-/), known in full in Italian as (gelato) affogato al caffè[1] ('(ice cream) drowned in coffee'), is an Italian dessert comprising a scoop of plain milk-flavored (fior di latte) or vanilla gelato or ice cream topped with hot espresso. Some variations add a shot of amaretto, bicerin, Kahlúa, or other liqueur.[2][3][4][5][6]
Though restaurants and cafés in Italy categorize the affogato as a dessert, some restaurants and cafés outside of Italy categorize it as a beverage.[7] Whether a dessert or beverage, restaurants and cafés usually serve the affogato in a tall glass with a narrow bottom, allowing the ice cream to melt and combine with the espresso at the bottom of the glass.[6] Occasionally, coconut, berries, honeycomb and multiple flavours of ice cream are added.[8] A biscotto or cookie can also be served alongside.[9] Affogati (also pluralized as "affogatos") are often enjoyed as a post-meal coffee dessert combo eaten with a spoon and/or drunk with a straw.[10][1]
While the recipe of the affogato is more or less standard in Italy, consisting of a scoop of fior di latte (unflavored) or vanilla gelato topped with a shot of espresso, variations exist in European and North American restaurants.[11]
Various desserts of ice cream "drowned" in other liquids are documented, including whisky,[12] hot chocolate, soda, kirsch, Vin Santo,[13] and port wine.[14]
The origins of the affogato are unknown,[15] but it gained popularity in Italy during the 1950s. This coincided with the industrialization of ice cream production.[16] English-language dictionaries document the use of affogato in 1988.[17][18]
Media related to Affogato at Wikimedia Commons
Affogato at the Wikibooks Cookbook subproject
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