Especially at local cafes that aren't used to tourists, you might just get a very funny look! Italians have a thing about drinking cappuccino after noon.
After a traditional Italian meal or dinner you are likely to be offered a 'digestivo' aka an Italian digestive drink (digestif). Italian digestivo are alcoholic after dinner drinks, usually served in a small glass, straight, as a shot.
For instance, cappuccinos are generally reserved for breakfast—not to be ordered after 11:00 a.m. A macchiato is traditionally enjoyed as a bit of an afternoon pick-me-up and espresso is served after dinner. Also, try to stay away from ordering a coffee to-go.
One of these customs is that it is considered strange to order a cappuccino after 11am. The reason for this is that cappuccinos are traditionally considered a morning drink. They are made with equal parts of espresso, steamed milk, and foam, and are typically drunk with a sweet breakfast pastry or croissant.
Why do Italians drink coffee after dinner? “The espresso after dinner is ordered only if the meal was heavy, and they also 'correct' the espresso by adding grappa, known as 'the corretto,'” Milos says. The habit might also have to do with the fact that Italians stay up later.
' Simply put, the Italian digestif or digestivo is an alcoholic drink served after dinner to help with digestion. This type of Italian liquor is different than some of the more commonly known classic Italian cocktails like the Campari Spritz.
Italians have a thing about drinking cappuccino after noon. It's just not done (some say it's because the milk and foam makes it a replacement for a meal, and all that dairy upsets the digestion). And you'll never see an Italian ordering a cappuccino after dinner.
The Cappuccino Law: Absolutely NO cappuccinos after 12:00 pm, the general rule is 11:00 am, but I've seen some Italians go later. Latte Macchiatos are also not consumed after this hour. Side note: you CAN consume Caffe Macchiato anytime during the day.
Italy: A Satanic Brew
When coffee arrived in Europe in the 16th century, the clergymen of Italy demanded that it be banned. They even went as far as to label the drink as being satanic. But then Pope Clement VIII had a taste, declared it to be delicious and allegedly remarked that it should be baptised.
If you are planning a family trip to il Bel Paese—especially if your teenage children or grandchildren are part of the brood—you may be wondering about the legal drinking age in Italy and local drinking customs. The legal drinking age in Italy is currently 18 years old.
Caffè Latte
You don't want to order a simple “latte” in Italy, however, as “latte” means milk. If you try doing that, you might end up with a glass of milk instead of the delicious coffee drink that you were hoping to enjoy. Instead, you'll want to order a caffè latte.
The word for milk in Italian is latte (masculine, plural: latti).
Espresso really rules in Italy and can be taken at any time of the day. It is especially popular at mid-morning and after lunch and dinner. Don't forget that espresso is customarily called caffè in Italy. Italians love their caffè so much that they even have chocolates (pictured above) filled with a shot of espresso.
What is a digestivo? Digestivi (“digestives,” in English) are often in the class of amari, or Italian bitters. Amari are made by infusing grape brandy with a blend of herbs, flowers, aromatic roots and bark, citrus peels, and spices.
Sugar is traditionally added to espresso by Italians, who invented the drink. Not all of them take it this way, but most of them do. Why? Because that's how you make it taste good.
First: Don't Order An Espresso
After all, isn't espresso the popular coffee drink in Italy? It is indeed. Espresso is the coffee of the land so all you have to say is, "Un caffè per favore" and you will be presented with an espresso.
Espresso is not only the most consumed beverage in Italy, it is an essential daily ritual linked to the culture, traditions and habits of Italians. It is a veritable institution that has become part of the national identity for which Italians are recognized and appreciated throughout the world.
11:00pm – Midnight.
Don't request a slice of pizza. In Italy, unless sold on the street or “al taglio” (sold in rectangular or square slices by weight), it's always round and served on a plate. 2. You cut the pizza yourself and then eat it with a knife and fork, the most common way, or fold each slice and eat it with your hands.
Italians eat predominantly sweet things for breakfast. This can be quite a shock if you are used to having toast, eggs, and bacon first thing in the morning. Instead, the traditional breakfast in Italy relies almost exclusively on baked goods like biscuits, cookies, pastries, rusks, and cakes.
In Italy siesta is known as riposo. Shops are closed midday for three hours or so, that way Italians get to go home, rest, and be with family. Riposo to Italians means enjoying a home cooked meal and spending time with family.
First off, tipping in Italy is neither mandatory nor expected, but if you do decide to do so, the gesture is a very clear indicator that you appreciated the service provided.