Become fluent in the ways of serving coffee in Italy

I learned today that I drink my coffee at home like a true Italian. I even got the Oslo Demi-tasse / espresso and Cappuccino cups by Bormioli Rocco. By the way, these clear glass cups are great for serving desserts. The handle can be removed if you want a different presentation.

I learned all that and more by reading the guide on how to order a coffee in Italy. The guide is made for North American traveling in Italy. I got this story from Ms. Adventures in Italy, an interesting blog published by an American women now living in Italy.

Learning the basics

When we will take a vacation in Italy, I will order a Caffè Macchiato, a Caffè Macchiato Freddo or a Latte Macchiato. The Caffè Macchiato is served in a demitasse cup. This is an espresso stained with a little bit of hot milk, probably frothed. It is not a demi-cappuccino.

The Caffè Macchiato Freddo is an espresso served in a demitasse cup with cold or lukewarm milk on the side. That is how I drink my espresso here, preferably with lukewarm milk.

The Latte Macchiato is hot milk with one shot of coffee, and served hot in a cappuccino clear glass cup or a tall glass, larger than a cappuccino. She does not specify if I can order a bowl of Latte Macchiato.

Italians does not seem to put chocolate on top of cappuccinos. I discovered that I probably served a Marocchino. Once you learned the name(s) of what you like, you will be alright because the recipes are quite standardized. The difference in taste from one shop to the next comes from the barista and the coffee beans.

The list goes on so I invite you to check out Ms. Adventures in Italy to read her complete coffee guide. If you got an espresso machine, you can use this knowledge for entertaining at home.

My espresso machine broke a few years ago. I did not send it to the repair shop and never replaced it because I found it take too much counter space. So I went back to the Moka Express on the stove. But from time to time, I do miss having an espresso machine.

MORE:
+ How to Order an Italian Coffee in Italy published on Ms. Adventures in Italy