COFFEE BEANS & BEINGS / MAGIC FROM ONE OF THE LAST WOOD-FIRED ROASTERS IN ITALY

Nicola Scamardella loads his coffee beans into his tried and true wood-burning roaster.  Photos: Gianni Cipriano and Sara Smarrazzo

GUEST BLOG / Edited text from Amadeo Coletta via CulinaryBackstreets.com--Tucked away in Bacoli, southern Italy’s Campi Flegrei region, the last wood-fired coffee roaster continues a centuries-old tradition. 

Here, Nicola Scamardella carries on his family’s legacy of roasting coffee with a wood-burning machine, a skill he inherited from his father, Pasquale, affectionately called "Pasquale della Torrefazione." 

In the 1960s, Pasquale and his wife Delia opened Caffè do Peru, combining a bar and roastery in their hometown. By the late 20th century, Nicola and his sister Maria took over, renaming it Caffè Delizia. 

Chiara

In 2011, Chiara, Nicola’s partner, joined the business, bringing her expertise in communication and a love for colonial-style shops, inspired by her family’s history. 

She expanded the offerings to include organic products, spices, chocolates, and her own handmade sweets. A standout product at Caffè Delizia is Chiara’s hand-selected black pepper, but the star attraction remains the coffee. 

Nicola roasts beans in small batches using clean oak from the Campi Flegrei. He meticulously monitors the process, using traditional techniques passed down from his father. 

Customers rave about the blends, like the balanced “Family” mix (50% Arabica, 50% Robusta) and the premium Arabica blend, available in light and dark roasts. 

“This is the only coffee I drink bitter, without sugar,” says Sara, a regular. 

Chiara beams with pride: “Our coffee simply tastes like coffee – never burnt.” 

Inside Caffè Delizia, a cozy two-table shop, visitors sip coffee to the soundtrack of Nicola’s rock playlists, browse shelves of books, and enjoy homemade hazelnut cake or caprese cake. 

For coffee enthusiasts, witnessing Nicola’s roasting process is a treat – a harmonious blend of tradition, craftsmanship, and the aroma of oak-fired perfection. 

Locale: Caffè Delizia Via Cuma 79, Bacoli, Naples Tel. +39 335 191 8393