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.
Most Italians drink at least 1 cup a day (for breakfast). But it is not uncommon to add a mid-morning, after lunch, mid-afternoon, and even an after dinner or late night cup. There certainly are Italians who don't drink coffee, but they are a definite minority.
Espresso really rules in Italy and can be taken at any time of the day. It is especially popular at mid-morning and after lunch and dinner. Don't forget that espresso is customarily called caffè in Italy. Italians love their caffè so much that they even have chocolates (pictured above) filled with a shot of espresso.
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.
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.
This explains why many cultures, such as the Italians, may prefer espresso after dinner. A quick shot of moderate amounts of caffeine can fight off the heavy feeling that follows a large meal, while quickly drinking it allows it to wear off in the hours between dinner and bed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The day is defined by coffee rituals: a cappuccino with breakfast, a caffè macchiato – or two – as an afternoon pick-me-up, and espresso after dinner. And like any culture, that of Italian coffee comes with seemingly mysterious laws. Order a latte, and you'll receive a glass of milk (which is exactly what you ordered).
Water is used to cleanse the palate and fully enjoy the aromatic properties of espresso. Furthermore, when drunk after coffee, the water performs the opposite task: it cleans the mouth from the bad taste left by a poor quality coffee or with some errors in preparation.
Siesta is a traditional mid-day break prevalent in many parts of Italy. It's a time for people to take a break from their daily activities and relax or nap. And many local businesses are closed during this window, so it's best to plan your day accordingly. This type of afternoon break is also popular in Spain.
In Europe, it is customary to enjoy coffee in the afternoon or evening without dairy. Espresso tends to be the most popular after-dinner coffee drink in European countries.
Back in the 16th century, as the global coffee trade was exploding, coffee beans were first introduced to Europe through trading ports in Venice. Coffee shops started to open in the cities, becoming meeting places for the local intelligentsia, then becoming more of a social space for wider society.
As much as Italians like their pasta al dente, they like their coffee to have a heavily roasted, bittersweet flavour with a brown foam or crema on top. Smooth, fruity taste notes and fancy latte art are anathemas to most Italians.
The word for sugar in Italian is zucchero (masculine, plural: zuccheri).
Espresso cremina: the recipe
This is definitely a classic tradition in and around Naples and Salerno, where even the bartender preparing an espresso adds the cream to his preparations. In the rest of Italy, however, it's much more of a family ritual. So here's the secret for making it really special.
Breakfast in Italy: what to expect
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.
The simple answer is that it is consistent with the traditional culture of avoiding the heat of the day. Also, since the workday is divided in half by a long pausa, people don't finish work until around 7:30 or 8:00.
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.
Dinner is a lighter meal for more Italians, and it's enjoyed between 7 PM and 8 PM. Primarily, this meal consists of a salad, followed by a primo and a secondo variation. Eggplants, spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, and other items Italian people can find in their garden are usually on the table at dinner time.
But elsewhere in the world it doesn't seem to be a concern. In countries like Italy, Spain and France, for example, late-night coffee culture is everywhere. But can they handle... The Germans have a more relaxed take on the drink.
How Italians drink their coffee - In bars, coffee is often served with a small glass of water; the water is supposed to be drunk first to cleanse the palate. - In some busy bars (especially train stations), you must pay for your coffee upfront at a till and then present your receipt to the barista.