Two Favorite Drinks: Coffee...
Italian espresso coffee is protected as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. 

A Devil’s brew? Coffee came to Italy from Egypt and the Middle East in the sixteenth century and became so popular, that it was considered a Devil’s brew and condemned by the Catholic Church.  Legend has it, that the Pope Clement VIII tasted it, blessed it and exclaimed, “This drink is so delicious that it would be a pity to let the infidels and others have exclusive use of it."

According to Catholic dogma, the Pope who is the leader of the Church, is infallible regarding statements concerning doctrine and Church law. In 1650 divine protection from making a mistake, was obviously even extended to such temporal issues as coffee. 

And since then, drinking coffee has been a special part of the Italian culture, to the extent that there are 15 billion cups of espresso brewed and served in the Republic every year, by an estimated 250,00 professional baristas.

Coffee Etiquette – How to Drink Coffee Like an Italian

The normal Italian coffee drinker stops at a café, orders a “caffe’ normale,” what we call espresso, mixes in a spoonful of sugar and downs it in three gulps standing at the bar, followed by a small glass of water.

There is an understated sophistication to the Italian way of brewing and drinking coffee. Like the cuisine, their attitude is, keep it uncomplicated. Let the quality of the ingredients speak for themselves. 

When you order coffee in Italy, the term espresso isn’t used. You simply ask for “caffe’” or “caffe’ normale.”  A macchiato is  caffe normale with a dollop of steamed milk. An americano or caffe’ longo is a caffe normale with a little hot water added. If you ask for a latte, the Italian word for milk, that is just what you are going to get, a cup full of milk. Cappuccino is a morning or breakfast drink and is never ordered after a meal.

Simple is best in the Italian culinary world and coffee is no exception. Italians are coffee purists, and there aren’t any alchemic shortcuts that change poor ingredients to good ones.

The beans should be of good quality and darkly roasted, and the brew a little bitter with a brown froth or crema. If you drink coffee in Milan in the North, or in Palermo in Sicily, the quality and taste are the same. 

Italians turn up their noses at the idea of foreign coffee chains adulterating their coffee with spices and flavored syrups, something they consider to be heresy.

Rather than standing for a quick cup at the bar, many cafes have a few small tables, inside or outside, where it is a pleasant and convenient way to meet friends. For a slightly higher price, patrons can sit for a while and relax while drinking their coffee.  When you order, you can go in, or a server will come out to you.  To make a perfect morning, order a cornetto with your cappuccino.

A small glass of water is usually served with your coffee. Do you drink it before or after your coffee? There are two schools of thought. Before- Water cleanses the palate, preparing it for the aromas and tastes that are to come. After - Caffe’ Normale is strong and bitter and drinking a glass of water afterward enhances and balances its flavor and cleans your teeth and breath.

For obvious reasons, your companions might prefer that you do the latter. When you are finished you pay the cashier. As in other restaurants, tips are not expected.

Note: After several unscientific surveys at local cafes, I’ve noticed that some of the coffee drinkers prefer their water before and some after. There is another group who divide their water into two portions, half before and half after. In Naples where it is reputed that the best coffee in Italy is brewed, the water is consumed first to cleanse the palate.