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.
Don't order a cappuccino after noon
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.
3. Cappuccino. The cappuccino is arguably the most popular type of coffee drink in Italy that includes milk, made with equal parts Italian espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. Since cappuccinos have quite a bit of milk, Italians only drink this particular type of coffee in the morning.
3) Having a cappuccino after dinner inhibits digestion.
One culinary rule adhered to across most of Italy is that you should follow dinner with an espresso — never a cappuccino. A cappuccino, instead, is exclusively drunk before noon, usually at breakfast.
This is what you might call a “latte” in the U.S. In Italy, outside of tourist joints, you run the risk of getting what you asked for - milk. Or worse yet, steamed milk. Latte macchiato (LAH-te mahk-YAH-toh) - when ordering: 'un latte macchiato' Steamed milk “stained” with espresso, served in a tall glass.
While it may seem strange to some, the custom of not ordering a cappuccino after 11am in Italy is rooted in tradition and the belief that the drink is best suited for the morning. It's a cultural norm that has been passed down through generations, but as with any culture, things are changing and evolving with time.
1. Milk in the morning. Thou shalt only drink cappuccino, caffé latte, latte macchiato or any milky form of coffee in the morning, and never after a meal. Italians cringe at the thought of all that hot milk hitting a full stomach.
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.
It's still a big deal in Italy.) Consuming milk after a meal, Italians believe, will totally screw up your digestion. And since that's not something they are wont to do, they avoid milk when eating.
Coffee is just as nuanced and complex, if not more so, than wine. And a great coffee, so the chorus goes, doesn't need sugar to taste great—it tastes great on its own! But in the tradition of Italian espresso, sugar is almost always added.
In Italy, home of espresso and moka coffee, the cold (or allegedly) coffee (aka “caffè freddo”) is actually often coffee cooled to room temperature and then refrigerated perhaps for hours. The vast majority of Italians do so. The result is certainly an enjoyable temperature, but not always the same with taste.
In Italy, cafes are sacred places where you'd come, sit down and spend time with the person you're with while enjoying a beverage, rather than turn it into a moment of productivity.
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.
If you ask locals “Do you tip in Italy?”, they'll explain that while they sometimes leave a small tip, it's generally not necessary. In Italy, gratuity (or una mancia, pronounced oo-nah MAN-chah) is considered a bonus for exceptional service.
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.
After midday Italians drink their coffee black and will happily continue drinking into the evening. Later in the day, they may well add a slug of grappa or other liquor to their espresso to create a caffè corretto, but they would never consider adding milk.
Here's a surprise: the only time most Italians have a cappuccino is at breakfast as milk is a breakfast item. Order it after 11am and you will get strange stares. In Italy, 'latte' also just means milk, so if it's a dairy-laced drink you're after, be sure to ask for a latte macchiato.
Always stirred
Once served, the cappuccino is best had without sugar, or just a bit, and stirred. Like espresso which must always be mixed, even if sugar is not added, to amalgamate the flavors, the connoisseur's gesture is also replicated in the cappucino.
The biggest distinction between the traditional Italian style cappuccino and a Western-style one is the appearance. The Italian style has a white foamed, slightly domed, top, complete with an espresso-stained brown ring running along the edge of the cup.
The Bitter Liqueurs
In Italian, bitter liqueurs are beloved as after-dinner cocktails. These bitter liqueurs are called Amari (literally translates to "bitters"), which contain a lot of botanicals that aid in digestion.
Breakfast in Italy: what to expect
Homemade breakfast in Italy is usually a straightforward affair. Traditional breakfast drinks in Italian households are coffee, tea and cocoa milk for the kids and the main breakfast foods are bread with butter and jam, biscuits and cereals.
Italians drink coffee just about any time of day, but they'll often have an espresso after dinner. According to Italians, coffee oils actually aid digestion. making it ideal after they've finished eating. Bellissimo vol.