How to Drink Coffee Like an Italian

And why you probably should.

If you’ve been accustomed to really good specialty coffee, chances are you’d be disappointed by what some of Europe has to offer. Or so I’ve heard.

Typical complaints include: there’s no variety, there’s nowhere to sit, and you will be judged if you order anything milk-based after 11am.

But like many things we don’t agree with or understand, there’s always two sides to the story.

Italians Know Best

Italian coffee culture is its own beast. After all, they pretty much pioneered the way for the rest us: from the lingo to the invention of the espresso. Italians are extremely proud of their coffee and rightly so.

But before you pack your bags and head to Milan for a large warm latte, there are a few little quirks and customs you might want to know about first.

Vivre d’amour et de café

(live on love and coffee)

Be a Purist

Italians are sticklers for coffee in its purest form. They understand that coffee, when done well, needs no adornment. To add spices or syrup is blasphemy, and you can forget trying to order a grande or venti, because size differentials are nonexistent.

Know the Lingo

Did you know I speak a little bit of Italian? And you do too. Cappuccinos, americanos and macchiattos all originated in Italy. But tread carefully, they don’t all mean what you think they mean. Here is a quick crash course:

Latte = milk
Caffe = shot of espresso
Americano = watered down espresso (this is actually a tongue-and-cheek reference to American-style filter coffee)
Macchiato = literally means ‘spotted’ coffee; it’s a coffee with a spot of steamed milk
Cappuccino = 1:2 ratio of espresso to milk (now that’s something we’re all familiar with)

No Milk After Eleven

Italians might be well known for their carbs and gelato (did you know brioche with a side of almond granita is a really common breakfast?), but there’s a reason they’re still able maintain healthy lifestyles.

Healthy digestion is hugely ingrained in Italian culture. In fact there’s an entire category of drinks dedicated to before dinner (aperitivi), and after dinner (digestivi) with the purpose of aiding digestion. In line with this is their belief that drinks made with milk should not be consumed in the afternoon because of their heft.

Of course this is no hard and fast rule. You will not be refused or fined for ordering a cappuccino post-morning. Just brace yourself for a little judgment.

Drink Espresso the way it Sounds… Fast!

Born in 1901 along with the invention of the first espresso machine, espressos are meant to be as fast to make as they are to consume. The drink was popularised along with the rise of American-style coffee bars where people would enter, order, drink and leave before you can say La vita è un sogno (life’s a dream).

In Italy you’ll also notice the absence of takeaway cups. A coffee break is referred to as una pausa’ which literally means: a pause. For this reason you won’t see groups of Italians hanging out at cafes for hours, but you won’t see them run out the door with a coffee-to-go either. Espresso drinking is a three-sip, stand-at-the-bar kind of deal.

Caffè Sospeso (Suspended Coffee)

It’s common practice for Italians to pay for two coffees and only walk out with one. What happens to the second coffee? It remains in limbo, waiting to be claimed by another coffee drinker who cannot afford a cup of their own. The longstanding tradition originated in Naples, and provides an anonymous way to help others in need.

“…It requires people to consider that maybe they’re not the only ones in need of a boost.”

— Anna Perling, writer for Kinfolk Magazine

So whether you’re accustomed to these traditions or not, one thing is for sure next time order a cup of coffee in this beautiful, culture-rich country. You can expect a fresh, quality cup of coffee, made with nothing but Italian passion and love.