Lest you think that all food in Italy is slow food, Italians do have a way with convenience foods. I've written before about the imaginative lunchable-in-translation of Nutella, breadsticks, and ice tea. When we traveled to Italy a few weeks ago, we spotted pouches of foil-wrapped bite-size cubes of parmiggiano reggiano, "fredo fredo" and "caldo caldo" (instantly hot or cold coffees), and, at the COOP (supermarket), small pouches of pre-cubed pancetta, just right for cooking one dish. But, none of these could have prepared me for the magic of Pocket Espresso To Go, my newest discovery.
I've been a fan of Ferrero's Pocket Coffee, a chocolate and praline confection with a liquid coffee center (think of those nasty liquor-filled chocolate bottles, only better and with espresso inside and you get the idea). Stopping at an Autogrill somewhere along the Autostrade between Milan and Bologna, I thought I was purchasing some of these treats. However, it turned out that I had taken home some something quite different.
Opening the box, I discovered that these were not the candies I expected, but tiny containers. Each came with a two inch-long straw attached, and a spot labeled "forare qui" (pierce here). I plunged the straw into the miniature drink box and sucked out the syrupy contents: 21.8 ml of the liquid center (sweetened with sugar and chocolate) you would find in Pocket Coffee. It was thick, bitter-sweet, and stimulating (according to the box, contains 1/3 of the caffeine in a shot of espresso).
Unfortunately, I can't find a source for purchasing Pocket Espresso To Go in the U.S., but if you know of one, let us know in the comments.
They're nifty in terms of packaging and all, and Pocket Coffee still advertises heavily around Italy (and still is a minor sponsor for some Serie A soccer clubs).
But to be honest -- Ferrero should stick to Nutella and chocolate. Calling this stuff "coffee" is like calling a box of Cocoa Puffs "chocolate".
I've not seen that straw-poking kind of coffee in the states, but think maybe Trader Joe's is selling something quite similar to the chocolate candies, if not sourcing them from Ferrero.
I've tried em...they're VERY good.
http://www.typetive.com/candyblog/item/trader_joes_espresso_chocolate/
Seems like a fad item that won't catch on unless you promote the heck out it. Jackson Coffee Co, 201 S. Mechanic St., Jackson, MI 49201.
Try freezing a Pocket Coffee, then zap in the microwave to heat the center-this requires careful experimentation- then bite into the hot coffee inside the cold chocolate exterior! It's delicious!
For my microwave, it's 8 seconds. If you overzap, it might make a mess in your microwave or worse, potentially burn one's mouth, but I've not had a problem with that.
www.buonitalia.com in the chelsea market.
That's amazing, we really can't function without caffeine, can we?!
I found these in the South of France. They were giving them away free in a gas station...i looked for them everywhere after that and then finally found them for sale in the airport! I bought their full stock and i'm still looking to buy them on line.
Natasha, they're sold everywhere in italy, of course. we love those! luckily, they sell those here in germany, and we also get the candy version of it, also. just be careful. the candy also has liquid espresso inside.
I know this is a dead post at this point, but I've had these and they are awesome! We like adding them to coffee for a little extra buzz and some choco-flavor. Really good! I too am looking for a source for these little pocket-pick-me-ups...
Got back from Italy 3 weeks ago and brought back 20 boxes containing 3 pocket Espresso to go ( total 60). Have 15 left. Everyone who tried them , love them. Either I get some sort of distribution for these pocket espressos or I need to return to Italy every few months and bring back more to start a business here ( Montreal). Another new product from Ferrero is their new "Grand Soleil" Grand dessert icecream to go...and coffee is one of their flavours ....another innovative product.
I TOO FOUND THESE LITTLE CHOCOLATE TREATS IN ITALY ANDTHE PLACE THAT HAD THEM I BOUGHT THEM OUT.
I"M LOOKING FOR A SOURCE OF THESE IN THE U.S. I WROTE TO THE FERRERO COMPANY TWICE WITH NO REPLY.
THEY ARE CUTE AND AN ORIGINAL IDEA.
If anyone can pick me up some, ive been dying trying to find some online. PAYPAL of course...
please send me your info if you have the time to pick some up for me....
[email protected]
I found the fan page on FB http://www.facebook.com/#!/pocketespressotogo It's in Italian..
It was thick, bitter-sweet, and stimulating
Just came back from vaca in Italy. Fell in love with these. Bought a few boxes to take home and am all out now. Able to find only 1 site selling them, but they're pricey even before shipping costs. In Italy a 3 pack was 1.75-3 Euros($2.22-$3.80). This site has 'em for $7.45(5.87 Euros). They ship only Fed-Ex, the cheapest option being $11.95 for regular ground speed. They also carry the Pocket Coffee chocolates and other Kinder/Ferrero items. Hope this helps the few who are still looking and can afford it. I cant :(
Link:
http://www.melandrose.com/istar.asp?a=6&id=117279
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