There’s two things Gennaro Contaldo can’t live without: coffee and lemons.
Talking to BeanScene from his England home, the Italian-born chef starts the Zoom conversation with a warm greeting, and as if conveniently positioned, has a gigantic Amalfi lemon on one side of the screen, and a Neapolitan flip coffee pot on the other.
“I’ve just made us some coffee,” says Gennaro, holding up his cafetière as he pours the steaming hot liquid into an espresso cup. “Then, I add a little sugar and a tiny bit of lemon zest.”
As Gennaro raises his espresso to the camera and salutes from a far, he marvels at the beverage, which he says is part of Italy’s cultural identity.
“In my house, and many others in Italy, the ceremony of making coffee starts by buying green beans and roasting yourself. My father was so particular.
