Italian Coffee Culture Explained
Avoid any awkward glances, embrace regional traditions, and take your coffee like a local on your next Italian adventure.
As the world’s second most popular beverage, with an impressive 2.5 billion cups being drunk every single day, it’s hardly surprising that communities across the world have their own way of enjoying a good old ‘cup of Joe’. From Ethiopia’s communal coffee-brewing ceremonies to Turkey’s coffee-based fortune-telling, there are plenty of weird and wonderful traditions that totally change the drinking experience. Countries in Western Europe are no exception and Italy is perhaps the most famous for its coffee culture. So, what sets Italy’s traditions apart from those around the globe?
What is coffee culture?
First things first, the basics. In its simplest form, coffee culture does what it says on the tin: it’s the regional traditions that have been shaped by the humble java bean. Whether it’s a specific way the coffee is prepared or an unconscious social norm, coffee culture is all about the subtle differences in the way we enjoy coffee.
Italian coffee culture and where to experience each tradition
Ordering al banco – Milan
The starkest difference between Italian coffee culture and the way we drink it back in the UK is that it’s a much quicker experience. After the introduction of the world’s first espresso machine in 19th-century Milan, cafés were able to serve customers much quicker, and so drinking coffee al banco (at the counter) became a popular choice.
For many Italians, taking their morning espresso al banco is more than just the most convenient option; it’s often cheaper, quicker, and helps foster a more social atmosphere than drinking at a private table. Though this tradition started in Milan, it’s now a common practice in any major Italian city, from Rome to Venice.
Our recommended tour – Milan, Verona & Lake Garda
Satisfying your cappuccino cravings – Trieste
One of the world’s most popular coffee-based drinks, the humble cappuccino, has roots in Northern Italy, despite technically starting out as a creation of the Austrian coffee houses in Trieste. Originally known as a kapuziner, a coffee combined with milk and sugar, it wasn’t until local Italians added its signature foamy head that it became the cappuccino that we know today.
Named as a nod to the light brown hoods worn by the region’s capuchin monks, this drink has become a firm favourite of coffee-lovers across the world. Despite its popularity, you might be surprised to know that cappuccinos are very rarely ordered past 11am in Italy and are almost exclusively a breakfast drink. The same can be said of any milk-based coffee, lattes and flat whites included, and you’re much more likely to see espressos and americanos being enjoyed in the afternoons and evenings.
Our recommended tour – Hidden Italy – Trieste & Friuli-Venezia Giulia – Premier Collection
Brewing with Moka pots – Piedmont
While you may not find an electric kettle in a typical Italian home, stove-top moka pots are a much more common sight. First introduced in the 1930s in the Piedmont region by Alfonso Bialetti, these iconic aluminium pots made freshly brewed espresso readily available from home.
The design of the moka hasn’t changed much since, and moka pots are now common fixtures of households across Italy. For an insight into Italy’s love affair with espresso, be sure to visit the Bialetti Museum in the Piedmontese town of Crusinallo or settle in for a scenic coffee on the banks of nearby Lake Maggiore.
Our recommended tour – Lake Maggiore, Zermatt & the Centovalli Railway – Premier Collection
Taking coffee cold – Sicily
Though coffee is traditionally served hot, Sicilians have been enjoying it much cooler since the 9th century. Tracing its roots back to the Arab-influenced iced desserts of the 9th century, Sicilian coffee granita has evolved into one of the island's most beloved morning rituals. It’s also remarkably simple, consisting of coarse ice flakes, lightly sweetened espresso and often a touch of whipped cream, and is often served with brioche.
While granita for breakfast might raise eyebrows outside of Sicily, many locals wouldn’t have it any other way. For a taste of a traditional granita di caffè, look no further than the charming towns of Catania and Messina, where the tradition is strongest.
Our recommended tour – Classic Sicily, Etna & Taormina
Experience Italy’s coffee culture with Newmarket Holidays
Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or a casual café-goer, discover the finer details of Italian culture with one of our award-winning itineraries. For more information or to get the ball rolling on your next escape, give one of our friendly holiday planners a call today. If you’re dreaming of a holiday somewhere else in the world, why not browse our full range of escorted tours on our dedicated destinations page?
