“WHEN IN ITALY, DO AS THE ITALIANS DO”

LESSON N.1: COFFEE (CAFFE’)

Paolo Donati

Italians do drink coffee in a lot of ways and in several daily rituals (being at home or at the office).

But the most regular and popular coffee is still the…

ESPRESSO

“Macchiato freddo, macchiato caldo, ristretto, lungo, schiumato, freddo, shakerato, marocchino,

corretto (con la grappa), decaffeinato (deca), bicerin,

d’orzo (in tazza grande o tazza piccola), cappuccino, latte

macchiato (caldo o freddo), con la panna…”

Especially in morning and after lunch time, Italians DO love a “tazza” of espresso coffee “al banco” (not seated)…

DO’S AND DON’Ts

1. In Italy, before drinking a coffee, usually you have to pay it “alla cassa” (= cashier). Average price ranges from 0,90 to 1,20 Euro if not seated (rarely Italians seat down at the bar especially because most of them are small and people is in a hurry). If you want a glass of water with it normally you have to ask for it (only in central/south Italy the barman is going to give one to you by default).

2. When in front of the barman, make eyecontact and then tell him the following: “

- “uno” (= one): in Italy this simple word means “I want 1 espresso” and works out perfectly also “alla cassa” when - without saying a word - you simply show your index finger. Of course if you need more espressos, eg 2/3/etc, just say “due, tre” etc. This will turn you out as an Italian man!

- goes itself: if you want a different coffee (macchiato, cappuccino etc.) you have to ask for it to the barman.

3. Then slowly drink it (best without sugar). At the end leave the cup at the bench and say “grazie, arrivederci” and NOT “ciao” (tb used ONLY when you are familiar with someone you already know: Italians are formal…)

4. Cappuccino & cornetto: THIS is the popular Italian breakfast (but also a quick lunch alternative). “Cornetto” (or “brioche”) is the Italian for French “croissants”. Pls note that we do NEVER take cappuccino after dinner (this immediately will tell everyone that you are a tourist)!

Simple to hand-make, nice to hear when boiling and even nicer when sharing with friends and relatives!

This is the way most of our relatives and grandpas were making coffee at home. Still used in Italy is somehow being slowly replaced by capsules.

The moka coffee is stronger in caffeine in respect to the bar espresso…

In Naples coffee is made with the “cuccumella” (“Napoletana” in Italina) drip brew coffeemaker. Unlike the Moka, a Napoletana uses gravity and not the pressure of steam to mix the water with the coffee.

Totò and Peppino (left): being born in Naples these famous Italian comic actors were celebrating the “cuccumella” in a lot of movies…

The famous cover of Pino Daniele’s (1955-2005) iconic song “na tazzulella e’ caffè”.

http://www.expo2015.org/en/index.html?packedargs=op=changeLang

http://www.localistorici.it/en/Schede/list/tipo/historical-establishments

http://www.illy.com/wps/wcm/connect/en/coffee/how-prepare-espresso

http://www.kimbo.it/Ricette?lang=en

http://www.lavazza.co.uk/uk/at-home/coffee-brewing/

Lots: only some sorry…

TorinoVenezia

TriesteMilano

FirenzeNapoli

…or simply around the corner in each (small or big) Italian town!

Historical Coffees are mostly in:

“WHEN IN ITALY, DO AS THE ITALIANS DO”

But to do that..

you have to come to Italy!