Learn More About the Types of Coffee Served in Italy

Espresso,  caffà ¨ normale,  cappuccino; sometimes it seems that there are as many types of coffee in Italy as there are  kinds of pasta. And just like pasta, Italian coffee is an art form with many customs and traditions. Whether its a  caffà ¨ corretto  thrown back like a shot, acappuccino  and brioche for breakfast or a  granita di caffà ¨ con panna  to cool off from the hot midday sun, in Italy, there is a coffee drink specific for every time and mood. The Perfect  Tazza Want to start a heated discussion in Italy? Ask a group of friends how to make a perfect cup of stove top espresso! There are fully automatic espresso makers, pump-driven espresso machines, lever piston espresso machines, and, of course, the classic  aluminum espresso coffee maker  (also called a moka pot or The Moka Express), which was invented in the 1930s. Italian coffee  tifosi  in search of the perfect cup will also debate various factors such as bean type,  blade vs. burr grinders, tamp pressure, water temperature and humidity. Caffeine junkies not only have their favorite local  torrefazione  (coffee house), but even prefer certain   baristi  because of their ability to deliver a perfect  caffà ¨ espresso. S Marks the Pot (of Coffee) No one expects a first-time visitor to Italy to trill their rs like a native Italian speaker. But if you dont want to be labeled  maleducato  when ordering a coffee in Italy its  espresso, not expresso. Both will quicken your heart rate, but an  expresso  is a fast train and an  espressois a small cup of very strong coffee. And  caffà ¨Ã‚  (with two fs) is both the beverage and the locale that serves it. What kind of coffee should you order in a caffà ¨? The possibilities can be as daunting as a  Starbucks menu. Below is a list of the most popular caffeine-laden drinks. Keep in mind, too, Italians generally dont drink coffee with any meal except breakfast. Coffee is often ordered after a meal and —   che vergogna!  Ã¢â‚¬â€ only the unwitting tourist will order a cappuccino in a restaurant after lunch or dinner. When ordering an after-dinner coffee, do not ask for an espresso, ask for un caffà ¨, per favore. Italian Vocabulary List: Coffee caffà ¨ (espresso)—a small cup of very strong coffee, i.e., espressocaffà ¨ Americano—American-style coffee, but stronger; weaker than espresso and served in a large cupcaffà ¨ corretto—coffee corrected with a shot of grappa, cognac, or another spiritcaffà ¨ doppio—double espressocaffà ¨ freddo—iced coffeecaffà ¨ Hag—decaffeinated coffeecaffà ¨ latte—hot milk mixed with coffee and served in a glass for breakfastcaffà ¨ macchiato—espresso stained with a drop of steamed milk: small version of a cappuccinocaffà ¨ marocchino—espresso with a dash of hot milk and cacao powdercaffà ¨ schiumato—similar to a macchiato, but with milk foam insteadcaffà ¨ stretto—espresso with less water; rocket fuel!cappuccino—espresso infused with steamed milk and drunk in the morning, but never after lunch or dinnergranita di caffà ¨ con panna—frozen, iced beverage (similar to a slush, but ice shavings make it authentic) and topped with whipped creamshakerato—espresso with sugar shaken to a froth over ice and topped with foam