how to order an italian coffee in italy

8/3/2019 How to Order an Italian Coffee in Italy

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How to Order an Italian Coffee in Italy

There are so many different types of Italian coffee, and by now we know them all,

right? Latte, mocha, Frappuccino

You wont find a single drink by those names here in Italy.

Ordering coffee in an Italian bar is quite a different story, and I often give my

guests a little primer on coffee in Italy. Torani syrups to personalize your coffee

experience and nonfat whipped cream dont exist in Il Bel Paese. Instead, there

are a series of coffee variations you can count on finding in almost any bar

in Italy. Italy doesnt have Starbucks and in my opinion, it doesnt need it. The

next time you say Venti remember youre ordering 20oz. of a coffee drink. And

thats only the medium.

The fact is that there is relative consistency in the quality as well as the coffee drink

names across Italy. You wont have to worry about mixing your ice blends with your

Frappucinos as you go from bar to bar and town to town. Maybe you wont be able

to learn how to make the perfect espresso , but at least youll know how to order

it!

POPULAR ITALIAN COFFEE DRINKS

Caff - In Italy the word caff naturally implies an espresso. There is no need to

specify espresso when ordering. It will be served in a porcelain demitasse cup

tazzina with its own saucer and little stirring spoon. Pronunciation tip: Cahf-FEH
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Caff Macchiato In Italian, macchiaremeans to stain and this espresso in

a demitasse cup is stained with some hot milk, probably frothed, though no

attention is placed on serving foam. This is not a mini-cappuccino.

Caff Macchiato Freddo An espresso served in a demitasse cup with cold or

lukewarm milk on the side. It looks like a normal caff next to a carafe of milk. It

is! Many bars provide a communal container of milk on the bar, so often someone

can just order a caff and add the milk themselves. Its best to order the caff

macchiato freddo and let the barman direct you. If you absolutely want to add the

ilk yourself, you can make sure to specify, il latte a parte
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Cappuccino Probably the most well-known and loved coffee drink,it has a long

history. Espresso and steamed, frothy milk added so that there is a clean layer of

milk foam in a larger cup, a tazza.

Marocchino In some areas of Italy, also called an Espressino or Mocacchino,

this is my drink of choice and was what ultimately led me to beaddicted to coffee 9

short months ago. It is a shot of espresso served in a glass demitasse (for aesthetic

reasons), with a sprinkling of cacao (added either before or after the milk,

sometimes both!) and milk foam spooned on top.
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Latte MacchiatoMilk stained with coffee, and served hot in a glass cup as

shown or in a tall glass, larger than a cappuccino.

Caff CorrettoAn espresso in a demitasse cup, with a shot of liquor of your

choice. Popular liquors are grappa,Sambuca(anise-flavored liqueur), cognac, rum,

or my personal favorite,Baileys Irish Cream. You can also ask for a Marocchino

Correttoand they should oblige you.
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POPULAR VARIATIONS ON CAFF ESPRESSO

These drinks are further variations on the coffee itself. Most of these drinks can

have milk added to them but the important thing about ordering these drinks is

specifying how it is brewed doubled, water added, chilled, reduced!

oCaff Doppio Two shots of espresso, served in a larger cup (tazza).oCaff Americano A shot of espresso with hot water added and served in

the larger tazza.

oCaff Lungo A setting on most espresso machines, more water is beingrun through the filter, resulting in a longer coffee. The consistency and

strength is not the same as an espresso.

oCaff Stretto or Ristretto Made with less water than a normal espresso,this caffe is more concentrated and strong and served in a demitasse.

oCaff dOrzo Espresso made from barley is a popular alternative totraditional espresso. It can be ordered as a single, doppio (double) or

macchiato like a normal caff. You can see this macchiato has some

bubbles because the caff dorzo is not as thick as a regular caff.

oCaff Freddo Espresso is left to raffreddare or get cool, or is sometimesrefrigerated and served cold or lukewarm.

oCaffe HAG Not only is this the most popular brand of decaffeinated coffeein Italy, it can also be a way to indicate a decaffeinated coffee when

ordering. It can be ordered as a single, double or macchiato like a normal

caff. (Pron: Ahg the H is silent).

SPECIAL COFFEE DRINKS

Not all bars will have these specialties available (and some not year-round) but if

you find a bar that does them right, youve found a favorite for life!oGranita di Caff Granita, an icy coffee treat was recently covered by

Shelley at At Home in Rome at thefamous Tazza dOro in Rome. This can
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be found in some gelaterias or bars that have granita, but it is not a

common flavor.

oCaff Completo This may be available at a few select bars (ask if youdont mind striking out every once and a while!) but ShelleysCaffCompleto at Cafff Camerinohad fresh whipped cream on top with a

sprinkling of cacao.

oCaff Shakerato Irecently posted about Caff Shakerato, my favoritesummer coffee drink. Coffee shaken with ice and sugar (if requested). Its

great on its own, or try it with Baileys Irish Cream for an even better

experience!

oBicerin A Torinese specialty hot chocolate, espresso and frothy milkserved in a glass. I just posted about this here when I went to Torino and

hada Bicerin at Baratti & Milano.

oCaffe con Panna Espresso with fresh-whipped cream. Some bars willhave this as a specialty but not all bars will have whipping cream on hand.

SWEETENING YOUR COFFEE

There are a few standard additions to your coffee if you dont want to drink

it amarofig: black, lit: bitter :

oZucchero: Plain white, refined sugar. Some people collect the bags asalmost every bar will have their logo and/or specially-designed bag.

oZucchero di Canna: Unrefined, cane sugar that is darker and has largergrains. My preference. Most bars will have this as an option, but not all. I

usually have to stir a bit longer than the white sugar to make sure its

dissolved entirely.

oDietor: A popular sweetener made with saccharin (similar to Sweet n Low).[site]

oMiele : Honey, an alternate and natural sweetener, is not availableeverywhere, but it is usually in packet form or in a little carafe on the bar

top.

oCacao: Though most of the bars will use unsweetened cacao (cocoapowder), it gives a different taste to your coffee. Cacao can be added to

almost any drink, and many bartenders will ask if you want cacao on top

of your cappuccino as its often added. Some will leave a little shaker on

the counter for self-service.
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NON-COFFEE DRINKS

oLatte Milk. If you ask for a latte, you will get a large glass of (most-likely)hot milk.

oCioccolato Caldo Hot chocolate. This beverage deserves its own post andit will have it around winter.

oTe - Tea. They will usually provide you with a carafe of hot water or withthe tea already brewing in the carafe when they deliver it. Note: Most bar

owners do not look favorably upon ordering hot water and making tea with

your own bags.

oCamomilla Chamomile tea

how to order an italian coffee in italy

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