[Italy] Coffee Culture

Learn more about the Coffee Culture in ITALY!

Got this Articale from:

http://www.spottedbylocals.com/coffee-culture-italy




As most people know, coffee in Italy is extremely important. Barristas take pride in making the perfect coffee. Even the crappiest cafe will usually serve a fine coffee.

Naturally, on our Milano and Roma cityblogs, many Spotters write about coffee:

* Colonial Fashion Cafè Milan - Comfortable chairs and coffee from everywhere.
By Alessandra Nigro, our Milan Spotter
* Primo Cafe Rome – Very fashionable and minimalist cafe.

There are some subtle differences between Rome and Milan’s coffee cultures:

* In Rome, breakfast usually consists of “cappuccino e cornetto” (cappuccino and a croissant). In Milan it’s called cappuccino e brioche/croissant. If you want e cornetto without any special addition (cream or jam inside), you would call it “cornetto semplice” in Rome. In Milan they call it “vuoto”.
* A popular type of coffee in Milan is a “marocchino”, a Moroccan coffee. This is not the term used in Rome



Some general tips:

* Drinking a coffee standing at the bar is usually much cheaper than sitting down. Since Italians usually don’t take more than 30 seconds to drink their espresso, there is no need to sit down either! So: coffee to go? Forget it!
* Don’t order cappuccino or any coffee with milk after breakfast, if you don’t want to be laughed at!




Here’s a list of the different types of coffees you can usually order (from www.lifeinitaly.com) - fortunately the same terms are used in both Milan and Rome!

Espresso : known as Caffe in Italy, served in a 3 oz or demitasse cup. Strong in taste with a rich bronze froth known as a crema on top.

Doppio : Simply a double espresso.

Ristretto: More concentrated than a regular espresso that is made with less water.

Lungo or Caffe Americano: An Espresso made with more water – opposite a Ristretto.

Macchiato: Espresso that is “marked” with a dollop of steamed milk on top.

Corretto: Espresso that is “corrected” with grappa, cognac or sambuca.

Cappuccino: Espresso with foamed milk and containing equal parts espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk.

Cappuccino scuro: Cappuccino prepared with less milk and is a darker color.

Cappuccino chiaro: Cappuccino prepared with more milk (but less than a caffe latte) and is lighter in color.

Caffe’ latte: Espresso made with more milk than a cappuccino but only a small amount of foam. In Italy it is usually a breakfast drink.

Latte macchiato: Steamed milk that is “marked” (sometimes ornately) with a shot of espresso coffee.