The Italian coffee tradition over the centuries has become a system of rituals and behaviors about coffee and its most famous preparations: moka coffee, espresso and cappuccino.
Coffee is the Italian beverage of choice as made obvious by the daily ritual performed faithfully by Italians.
What are the 8 signs, not so obvious to the untrained eye, that distinguish an Italian at the bar?
- An Italian walks into a bar: 8 out of 10 times it’s for enjoying a coffee.
- The best way to start the day? Coffee + newspaper = BUONGIORNO!
- “Let’s go for a coffee” this is the excuse most used by Italians to have a chat or a “pick up”.
- An espresso must be express as it’s prepared quickly and just as quickly consumed while standing at the bar, of course!
- When is the coffee hour? Coffee has no time constraints in Italy! You can request it any time of day or night.
- In Italy, if you say “caffè”, you say “espresso”! You will never say “un espresso” but simply “un caffè”.
- The allowed variations? Lungo or ristretto, macchiato caldo or macchiato freddo, corretto, marocchino.
- Cappuccino? Never after 10:00 a.m.!
If the table behind yours is served cappuccinos and it’s 2:00 p.m., then you’ve found the group of tourists as Italians will never do this!