Curious Coffee Drinker | Gabriele Ornati — Terroir Milano, Italy

Curious Coffee Drinker | Gabriele Ornati — Terroir Milano, Italy

“This Geisha was so perfect for the warm Italian summer.”

To recount my first meeting with Gabriele, our very first conversation was not about coffee, but about Italian pasta.

At the time, I was having difficulty finding authentic Italian pasta restaurants in Milan. To my surprise, there seemed to be more sushi restaurants than I had expected. When I visited Terroir Milano, I finally had the chance to ask for recommendations. Gabriele welcomed me warmly, as if I were already a regular customer, which made the conversation feel natural from the very beginning.

That conversation changed both my days and my perspective on Milan. Through Gabriele and the team at Terroir Milano -a hospitality- driven grocery shop known for its carefully curated selection, I felt connected to a community of people who would truly appreciate a coffee like this.

Throughout the summer, the Terroir Milano team shared Summer Geisha with their team and their wonderful community.

At the end of the season, I asked Gabriele:

“How was your summer with Summer Geisha coffee?”

 

Gabriele responded:

“It was a privilege to receive this coffee from Mikava Farm. Having the opportunity to enjoy a coffee that had been processed only a few weeks earlier made the experience even more special.

It was incredibly elegant, with a silky texture, vibrant acidity, and delicate notes of lemon balm. The aroma reminded me of white flowers and fresh citrus. Sweet and lingering in every cup, it was refreshing, juicy, and wonderfully thirst-quenching. It was perfect for the Italian summer.

I appreciated it even more as it cooled. The clarity and elegance became even more expressive over time. I hope Mikava Farm will give us the opportunity to enjoy this style of washed Geisha again in the future.

It is a shame that the coffee sold out so quickly!”

“Last question, Gabriele, what is your dream project?”

Gabriele responded:

“Slow food soft power all over the world! To bring it to reality, we need to create strong human connections based on shared human values. I believe we can positively change the balance of our lives and spread a culture of conscious consumption through taste, beauty, and harmony.”

I believe Gabriele is already living his dream project. Through Terroir Milano, he is creating a thoughtful and positive community built around shared values, meaningful experiences, and a deeper appreciation for what we consume.

I have witnessed that connection firsthand.

Photo: Gabriele and Marco with Geisha Gold Packaging
Photo credit: Fabio Chimenti