Coffee in the Friendship Grolla, Directly from Valle d'Aosta

The Valdostan Grolla and Its History

Among the Italian excellences recognized worldwide, espresso undoubtedly takes the podium.

Each region has its peculiar way of serving and pairing coffee.

The grolla, for those unfamiliar, is probably one of the most typically known artisanal products of Valle d'Aosta.

What is it? Essentially, it is a sort of cup, with a lid, carved from a piece of precious wood.

As tradition dictates, it is made on a lathe and subsequently hand-decorated according to the artisan's creativity.

The term grolla derives from graal, which in the archaic langue d'oïl meant a container or a cup used for drinking wine.

Originally, the grolla was nothing more than a simple chalice of generous dimensions, for convivial drinking.

Photo © Delicious Italy

The Friendship Grolla

Over time and with the evolution of customs, the grolla has changed in form and use, becoming what today is commonly called the cup or friendship grolla.

This latter is an elaboration of the traditional inlaid wooden cup: shorter and rounder than the original grolla, it is equipped with spouts and has a lid usually decorated.

This is the bowl that is still used today to enjoy in company the Valdostan coffee, a long coffee mixed with grappa and genepì (or génépy, a typical liqueur from Northwest Italy, obtained from the maceration in alcohol of Alpine wormwoods), sweetened and spiced, which is served flaming.

Drinking coffee from the Valdostan grolla is undoubtedly a beautiful demonstration of friendship, a ritual of conviviality to be savored after a day spent on the snow or, why not, after long summer walks in the cool mountain woods.

Indeed, coffee in the friendship grolla is drunk strictly "à la ronde", that is, by passing the cup from hand to hand, without ever placing it on the table.

Valdostan coffee is a typical regional recipe that dates back to ancient times, created to warm both body and spirit with friends on cold winter nights, but still appreciated for its invigorating qualities and its unique and delightful taste. Let's see together how it's prepared!

Photo © La cucina italiana

Valdostan Coffee in the Grolla: The Recipe

To prepare the traditional recipe of coffee in the Valdostan grolla at your home, you will need:

• 6 cups of espresso coffee; I recommend a harmonious blend that is at the same time full bodied, with a rich taste like Caffè Oro Dersut (available in the online shop!)

• 6 teaspoons of sugar

• 200 ml of white grappa

• 200 ml of genepì

• 100 ml of cognac

• lemon and orange zest as needed

• a pinch of cinnamon and, if desired, some cloves

The procedure to prepare homemade Valdostan coffee is simple and quick:

1. First, pour the boiling coffee into the friendship grolla;

2. Sweeten and stir;

3. Then add the orange and lemon zest and spices.

4. Finally, add the alcohols and flame.