How do italians take there coffee?

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Frederico Ferrari

Whether I am in Italy or here in the United States, I take my coffee just like my family in Italy. In the morning I have a cornetto (sort of like a croissant, but better), and a black short espresso. On some mornings I might have a cappuccino, but never a cappuccino in the afternoons. In the mornings, I am usually standing and taking a brief in my mind of the day ahead. Sometimes speaking with an amico (friend) about sports or politics.

When you ask for a "caffe" at a coffee bar, you are simply asking for an espresso. It is always served in a porcelain demitasse cup, with a saucer and small stirring spoon. We usually drink the caffe right there and not to go.

In addition, if you ask for Caffe Macchiato, you will have it "stained" with just a touch of hot or steamed milk. Of course a Latte is milk "stained" with coffee. It just means much more milk than in a Macchiato. There are other variations too. Visit the site below for more information.

BTW, don't go looking for any of those funny coffee concotions that are offered are starbucks - that's all just marketing for the chain.

rajaratnam s

With out cup

conley39

Your question reminded me of the animation by Bruno Bozzetto describing the differences between Italy and the rest of Europe: http://www.infonegocio.com/xeron/bruno/italy.html

There's a segment on coffee toward the end which pretty accurately reflects the situation here - there are lots of different variations and everyone has their own preference. Normale (espresso) and caffÃ¨ macchiato are pretty common, but a ristretto is popular with a lot of people I know and many people , including me, take a cappuccino in the morning. I had lunch with a German and some Italians once and the German ordered a cappuccino at the end of the meal. the restaurant refused to serve it because it was after 11 am.

It is common to stop at the bar and have a cafÃ¨ - most often standing because it's more expensive if you sit (you have to pay for table service).

The 1st day I was in Italy, I was invited to my boss' home for coffee. They were very surprised that I don't use sugar. He asked me "but what if the coffee's bad?" His wife had made the coffee - he's now divorced. Most people that I've encountered have a similar reaction here though.

The Netherlands is another interesting place for coffee. Unless you're someplace like McDonalds, you always get a cookie with the coffee. At the Nachtwacht restaurant in Rembrandtplein, you get a cookie and a chocolate with every coffee.

Elena A

Coffee in Italy is really different from what the Americans call coffee; it is very much stronger and it's served in small cups; you can drink it in many ways: with sugar, with milk or simply "black".

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