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.
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.
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.
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.
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. An American friend of mine who has lived in Rome for many years continues, knowingly, to break this rule.
In Italy, asking for a latte is asking for a simple cup of cold milk. Remember to put “caffè” before it when ordering.
Because coffee originated in the Middle East, many god fearing Italians took pause at it's arrival. While time had passed since the era of the crusades, many Catholics still did not trust goods emerging from the Middle East. This was especially prevalent among clergymen.
To sip a cappuccino after lunch is a direct and major violation of an Italian Food Rule. Italians believe the fresh whole milk that makes up over half of the contents of this drink plays havoc with digestion.
Here are two examples: “Vorrei un espresso, per favore,” which means I would like an espresso, please” and “vorrei due cappuccini, per favore,” which is how you'd say “I'd like two cappuccinos, please.”
“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.
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 coffee is synonymous with espresso. Ask for a coffee in a bar from Trieste to Palermo and you will be presented with an espresso. You may drink it seated (usually more expensive), or standing, al banco. Sugar is optional.
But if that's your preferred caffeinated drink, then you're out of luck. It just isn't on the menu in Italy. The closest to a drip coffee in Italy is a caffè Americano or caffè lungo which is a shot of espresso topped up with hot water.
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.
It is improper to put one's hands on one's lap, or to stretch one's arms while at the table. Resting one's elbows on the table is also considered to be poor manners. Do not leave the table until everyone has finished eating. Drinking beverages other than water or wine with a meal is quite uncommon.
Latte simply means milk in Italian. So latte is not actually a coffee drink. That's also why you call it latte art, milk art. Some baristas get upset about the term latte art and prefer to call it milk patterns.
A latte, also known as cafe latte, is a coffee drink which is made with espresso along with hot, steamed milk. A cappuccino, on the other hand, is a coffee drink which is made with espresso and frothed up milk. A latte is oftentimes called the big brother of a cappuccino.
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.
The rules of etiquette which apply are similar to the traditions of tea time. For us, the spoon cannot be licked and after a couple of turns in the cup it rests on the saucer – we don't lick it, we don't suck it, we don't use it to collect the foam from the bottom of the cup.
The most popular coffee drink in Italy is a cappuccino. Of course, espresso is still the base of this coffee but with a creamy and mild taste due to the added equal amounts of milk and foam. Caffè cappuccino is best consumed at home or as you linger at the coffee bar.