Some Like It Thick

Tastes are as diverse as number of people alive. Maybe even more since one person could develop different taste over time (economist has yet to properly recognise and model this).

But a generality can be made that a group of people has stronger preference toward something than other groups. Casual and informal (thus, unscientific) observation lead me to claim that Italian like it thick.

Anyone who ever taste espresso know that it is much thicker than ordinary coffe, yet anyone who ever come to italy and order for a cup of coffe will get espresso (not any lighter version of coffe). Capuccino is only for breakfast (they don’t too keen on milk but know it is healthy so they mix it with coffe).

It is also the case to cakes, which especially thick with nuts and sweets, and soup, with all the delights the chefs decides to thrown in. But the hidden gem is certainly cioccolato caldo (hot chocolate) that is made by hydroginated cocoa powder, in same manner as hydrogenated coffe and milk that made capuccino. The thick drink with strong cocoa aroma and sweet lingering after tase, something that made you thanksful to be alive (I am exaggerating, but not too much).

The analogy went further with known Italian passion for life. The animated hand gesture and warm personality is an almost universal trait here. Making friends are never easier compare to any countries in Europe. I read in Wall Street Journal (sorry, it is not avaliable free online so I can not give you the link) that Italian are rated as the best lover (come head to head as best cook with France). As you can see from fast cars such as Ferrari and Lamborgini and fashionable brands such as Prada and Gucci, they don’t take life lightly here. In one way or another, aren't we all in a search for a meaningfull life (hence, the title of this blog)?

I could write more on this topic, but I have a sudden urge go out to get a cup of cioccolato caldo and continue to thicken my life. Ciao...