The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games took place on Friday, February 6 and, like all opening ceremonies, it was a celebration dedicated to the host country. This being Italy, the ceremony was a diverse carnival that incorporated many of the things that Italy had given to the world through Lo Stivale. Sculpture, painting, opera, fashion, classical music, architecture – all appear in the dramatic opening sequence. They were all great, but there were some real stars of this year’s opening ceremony a cadre of multicolored dancing Moka jugs.
It was almost certain that Italy would start promoting its coffee in good faith at some point during the celebration. This is the same country that formally submitted espresso to UNESCO for theoretical cultural heritage status. But how? Answer? About 50 colorful, dancing, human-sized Moka jugs.
Just look at these fools. How can you not love them? This is what a trip to Oz would be like if the way to get there was to microdose coffee with LSD, also known as a one-in-one antidepressant. This was undoubtedly the greatest coffee moment at a major sporting event this weekend. (Coffee ads in other major sports, like the Super Bowl, were mostly non-existent and/or terrible. That Dunkin’ ad I felt ashamed for everyone involved. At least Marshawn Lynch’s Nike ad depicting coffee as a metaphor for revenge was good and cathartic. Meanwhile, Bad Bunny had no café con leche at halftime, which is the only possible complaint about an otherwise great performance.
In response to switching on CUNY professor Giancarlo Lombardi tells NBC that the Moka Pot is “an image of Italy” that “truly speaks to that little piece of Italy that so many have in their home.” Although he has some doubts that they are so colorful. “You associate it with a very specific color.” However, as for Professor Lombardi, he may not be up to date with the many variations of this iconic coffee machine.
So it seems that the Year of the Moka Pot defies all Gregorian logic and has extended to 2026. This leaves the United States looking forward to 2028, when Los Angeles will host the Summer Games. We must highlight our contribution to the world of coffee. I’m talking about Chemex toast and avocado (which were invented here, not in Australia). If there isn’t an anthropomorphic coffee machine and breakfast dancing with a cartoon version of the jolly Dr. Schlumbohm to kick off the next Olympics, it will truly be a missed opportunity.
