Palm trees leave Milan in a coffee quandary
Italians in the northern city of Milan are unswayed by a cluster of palm trees that have sprouted suddenly next to the city’s famous cathedral — all sponsored by coffee retailer Starbucks. The U.S. java giant, which is preparing to open its first Italian outlets in Milan and Rome, planted the 42 trees in the shadow of the 14th-century gothic Duomo after winning a tender to renovate some of the city’s green spaces. But the move has touched off anger in a country that has long cherished its tradition of independent espresso bars. “As far as their coffee is concerned, I’ll be having mine somewhere else,” politician Matteo Salvini told AFP. Palm trees are found in more temperate areas of Italy, but are an unlikely sight in Milan, which is known for its chilly winters. The transplanted trees are “exotica for its own sake,” one architect complained. Meanwhile, Starbucks has announced that its long-delayed bid to enter the Italian market will kick off in earnest next year, with a target of up to 300 coffee shops across Italy over a sixyear period.