Italian coffee culture: before and after your Italian holiday

Italy and coffee: a combination you really can’t miss. In almost every country in the world where coffee is drunk, the flavours and habits are based on Italian coffee culture. Italians are the founders of this coffee culture; they start with it early in the morning and even after a late Italian meal, coffee is drunk. Time to take a closer look at Italian coffee culture. You’ll find everything about the customs and traditions here so you won’t look out of place when you order a coffee on your trip to Italy. Once you’re back from your well-earned holiday, you’ll naturally want to recreate those Italian vibes, which is why we’ve got the best Italian coffee beans for you.

The day begins with... cappuccino

The beginning of the day is the ideal moment to enjoy a delicious cappuccino. Preferably alongside a sweet croissant, which is sometimes filled with jam. But take note: after around 11 or 12 in the morning, it’s best not to order a cappuccino anymore — according to the Italians, it’s more of a breakfast drink. They reckon the warm milk doesn’t mix well with your full stomach, so time for something else! Coffee beans that lend themselves perfectly to a delicious cappuccino:

• Illy coffee beans
• Segafredo Selezione Crema coffee beans
• Lavazza Qualita Rossa coffee beans

Suitable for any hour: espresso

Want to play it safe? Order coffee the way Italians most commonly drink it: as an espresso. If you want to order it in an Italian café, you simply ask for ‘un caffè’. You’ll notice that you get the very hot, strong coffee in a very small, pre-warmed cup. If you’re in the south of Italy, it comes with a fair bit of sugar as standard. If you’d rather it didn’t, order ‘un caffè amaro’, meaning an espresso without sugar. You can order espresso at any hour of the day without getting strange looks, and even after a late Italian meal, espresso is often drunk. After all, it’s good for the digestion. Real Italians can often be seen standing at a coffee bar, taking a minute to enjoy a Caffè. Coffee to-go (taking it away in hand) is far less popular in Italy. Un caffè has a beautiful crema layer on top thanks to the right pressure and temperature of the espresso machine. The amount in your cup may seem small, but don’t underestimate the strength of what’s in it! Making Italian ‘caffè’ (espresso) at home with your own espresso machine? These coffee beans are perfect for it:

• Kimbo Espresso Bar Premium (strong, for semi-automatic machines and moka pots)
• Kimbo Espresso Bar Extreme (strong, for semi-automatic machines and moka pots)
• Caffè Vergnano 1882 Espresso (medium strong, for fully automatic and semi-automatic machines, and moka pots)
• Mauro Caffè Concerto (medium strong, for fully automatic and semi-automatic machines, and moka pots)
• Segafredo Espresso Casa (medium strong, for fully automatic and semi-automatic machines, and moka pots)

Other variations and a quick word overview

If you want to keep things somewhat authentic and Italian, you should really stick to the top two options. But of course, other variations are available too. Below you’ll find a handy overview of the different varieties and terms in the Italian coffee world so you won’t look out of place during your Italian holiday! Types of coffee to order in Italy:

• Caffè - a small cup of dark espresso
• Cappuccino - this version you probably know, described just above
• Caffè Espresso - the same as the Caffè
• Caffè Doppio - a double shot of espresso
• Caffè Lungo - espresso with more water pushed through the coffee, similar to filter coffee
• Caffè Americano - espresso topped up with hot water in the cup
• Caffè Corretto - with a small splash of spirits in it
• Caffè Macchiato - with a small dash of regular milk

Need sugar?

• Amaro - without sugar
• con zucchero - with sugar

Ordering and saying thanks:

• un caffé, per favore - one coffee please (espresso).
• Grazie - translation of ‘thank you’
• Grazie Mille - literal translation: a thousand thanks, for when you’ve really been looked after well
• Prego - translation of ‘you’re welcome’

The final Italian coffee tips

• Don’t order a ‘Caffe latte’, as that means something like an ‘amateurish cappuccino’.
• It’s best not to order a cappuccino after midday.
• If you sit down somewhere to drink your coffee, you can expect a small extra charge on the bill or the coffee being slightly pricier; that’s totally normal in Italy.
• A Caffè (espresso) often costs around €1 to €1.50. A cappuccino usually costs between €1.50 and €3. If you’re being charged a lot more, you’re probably in a very touristy spot (like St Mark’s Square in Italy, where a cup of coffee can sometimes cost up to €10!).

Drinking Italian coffee at home?

Back from your holiday? Already missing your Italian cuppa? We’re happy to help you out after your holiday too. We have various Italian coffee beans in our range so you can take yourself right back to those Italian vibes. Segafredo - founded in the 1970s and now one of the largest coffee brands in the world. Served in many large (Italian) cafés and restaurants. Lavazza - often called the number one of Italy, and in any case one of the best-selling coffee brands in Italy. Caffè Vergnano - founded in 1882 by a small Italian supermarket, and now grown into a coffee brand that lives a whole lifestyle. Vergnano stands for high-quality coffee thanks to years of experience from a company that has stayed within the family. Kimbo - coffee brand from Naples known for its very dark and strong espressos. In southern Italy it’s often served in cafés with a generous spoonful of sugar. Mauro - known for its traditionally slow-roasted beans for optimal flavour development.

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