Life around the world

Tuesday, 10 April, 2018 - 13:47

Italian coffee culture

by JenniferBlogger2017

Coffee is an integral part of Italian culture and since arriving here over six months ago, I have definitely drunk a lot of it!

Of course, coffee is also very popular in the UK but coffee culture in Italy is a completely different story. In Italy, when you order a coffee in a café or bar, you are presented with a tiny, bitter espresso. This is ‘normal coffee’ for Italians and they are not so keen on the huge coffees that we drink in the UK. In addition, whilst takeaway coffee is extremely popular amongst Brits, it is not very common at all in Italy, especially in non-touristy areas. Generally, Italians prefer to drink their tiny coffees whilst standing at the bar and, for many, this short break is an important part of their day.

Typically, breakfast in a bar in Italy involves a coffee and a pastry. I have been spoiled for choice with lovely cafés in the Italian town I’m living in. These cafés sell an array of mouth-watering pastries – either plain or decadently filled with cream, chocolate, jam or Nutella – as well as delicious coffee. Cappuccinos are very popular at breakfast time and, for me, a creamy cappuccino and a pastry full of Nutella is the perfect way to start the day. I think it’s a nice ritual to head to a bar to grab a coffee and a brioche for breakfast before work and it’s a luxury to take more time to indulge in such a breakfast at the weekend.

Finally, I have found that coffee in Italy is so much cheaper than coffee in the UK. Normally, an espresso or a macchiato (an espresso with a drop of milk) costs around a euro and a cappuccino about €1.50! They are small, of course, but this means that in Italy it is possible to go out for coffee regularly without breaking the bank.

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Do you drink coffee? Is Italian coffee culture similar to the coffee culture in your country?

Submitted by PolinaLogvinenko on Sat, 10/01/2022 - 12:03

I rarely drink coffe. many people in my country don't like coffe.
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Submitted by Andrii on Wed, 01/12/2022 - 21:03

I really like coffee. My favourite types are cappuccino and latte. However I'm not crazy about coffee. Usually I drink it only once or twice a week. Compared to other countries, coffee in Ukraine is very cheap. For example 1 cup of cappuccino (250 ml) costs only $1. I guess it's really cheap.

Submitted by giacomo6 on Sat, 09/04/2021 - 09:05

I drink coffee every morning to start the day, and I really like it. I'm Italian, so the coffee here is delicious.

Submitted by MusealeIva on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 10:14

I am Italian and I have recently started drinking coffee, so I can't say much, but when I go to eat in a pastry shop with some friends and have a cappuccino with some pastries I think it's the best snack in the world.

Submitted by Tolis5 on Sun, 07/11/2021 - 08:04

I'm just 13,so I don't drink coffee.I prefer a Sprite,or juice.

Submitted by hermione123 on Mon, 07/12/2021 - 10:44

I'm 13 too, well I'll be 14 in just less than a week! I agree with you. And i'm not real sure if i'm allowed to drink coffee already. And, coffee doesn't taste better than juice or smoothie, of course.

In reply to by Tolis5

Submitted by hermione123 on Wed, 01/27/2021 - 06:00

No, I don't drink coffee.
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Submitted by TOPhyun on Fri, 04/17/2020 - 19:08

I do drink coffee every day. Unfortunately, I dont have a coffee machine yet, so my coffee routine is either a Koerig style or an Italian coffee maker. Here, in Canada, where I've moved recently from Russia, coffee culture is lacking the routine Italians have. They drink mostly takeaway coffee that doesnt have a flavour. There are some places though,where you can try a good one from barista, mostly Asian influenced coffee shops - so you won't feel down because you had to waste a trip to the coffee shop.

Submitted by Yuriy on Fri, 03/27/2020 - 09:10

I really like coffe, drunk it daily. Every morning starts with a cup of coffee. Unfortuanly, I didn't hav an opportunity to savore real Italian coffee. In Ukraine, coffee from Lviv is a most famous, but forsome reasons I'm shure that Italian is in the first place. Tasty Italian coffe and wine is one of my main reason to visit Italy.
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Submitted by TOPhyun on Fri, 04/17/2020 - 19:03

Yuriy, I do agree with you! Coffee from Lviv is the best. I visited Lviv with my father and grandma and they showed me the beauty of coffee shops and chocolate in Lviv. That is something unforgettable. Luckily I've tasted coffee and wine in Italy and can tell you that coffee in Lviv and Italian coffee aren't much different. They both have a rich flavorful body. Hope,one day you could visit Italy to experience it yourself.

In reply to by Yuriy

Submitted by ThomasGomez3444 on Wed, 02/05/2020 - 17:43

I think it's interesting because it gives us a totally different point of view of something everyday like coffee
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Submitted by empty on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 07:06

Do you drink coffee? Yes , of course . I always start my day with a cup of coffee . But not strong coffee . I really wanna try Italian coffee . A cup of fresh Italian coffee !!

Submitted by Fariha on Wed, 04/17/2019 - 19:03

I am an all time coffee lover. I can't even think of life without it & cappuccino is my favourite among all. Till today I just wanted to visit Italy for their colorful building walls & floating market but I think now I have another reason which is COFFEE.

Submitted by dreamersdontsleep on Sat, 08/18/2018 - 13:29

Yes, I drink coffee and I love it. Also, I'm italian and I can say that the coffee culture is the same all around Italy. Cappuccino or caffè macchiato are the best drink you can have at breakfast in my opinion:)

Submitted by Skumfidusen123 on Wed, 05/09/2018 - 06:50

no
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Submitted by SLMT on Wed, 05/02/2018 - 20:08

Yes,Of course.I’m a coffee lover.I always start my day with a big cup of coffee. In my country,coffee is served with big cup like in British and there are different kinds of coffee.But most of them are not strong.Strong coffee is not popular in my country.I have heard that if you want to feel true coffee, try Italian coffee.That’s why I really want to try Italian coffee with pastry.Hummm....a cup of Italian coffee and fresh ,hot pastry will make my day perfect.
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