12 Types of Coffee You Can Order in Italy
Italy is famous for many things, like fashion, food, and historical landmarks. It’s also known for its many varieties of coffee. Other countries, such as the United States and Germany, are famed for their coffee, but there’s something about Italian coffee that’s special.
If you ever find yourself traveling to Italy for business or leisure, you’ll want to be well-versed in the language of coffee. If you’re not sure what that means, don’t worry. We’ve got you!
1. Caffè
When ordering a caffè in Italy, it may sound like you’re ordering a coffee, but in Italian. You’ll be in for a shock when the server brings you a tiny cup of the beverage.
Caffè in Italy is espresso, so if you ask for a caffè, you’ll receive a strong cup of espresso. It’s an acquired taste, to say the least, so you’ll want to be sure you know what you’re asking for.
2. Caffè Americano
Also called caffè American, it’s understandable if you assume that it’s a regular American coffee, but it differs from the coffee we’re accustomed to stateside. Its flavor can be bolder than American-made coffee.
Caffè Americano is a mix of espresso and hot water. It can be brewed in two different ways: with one-third espresso and two-thirds water or half espresso and half water. It also doesn’t contain milk or froth but adds some hot water at the end.
3. Caffè Corretto
Known in English as a corrected coffee, caffè corretto is espresso with spirits or liqueur added. It’s normally consumed at the end of a meal and is meant to be savored, not consumed quickly in a few gulps.
You can add your favorite liqueur or spirits to the espresso drink. Italians generally prefer adding anisette, brandy, grappa, Irish cream, rum, Sambuca, or vodka. Experimenting with different flavors is half the fun.
4. Caffè Doppio
Avid espresso drinkers can get a more intense jolt with caffè doppio. It’s a double shot of espresso served in a small cup. There’s no milk, no froth, just pure espresso times two.
To call it strong would be an understatement, but caffè doppio isn’t meant to be shy. It’s meant to be a coffee that gets your attention, and it will from the first sip.
5. Caffè D’Orzo
What distinguishes caffè d’orzo from other types of coffee is that it’s not exactly coffee. It looks like and is served like coffee, but it’s not made with coffee beans. Surprisingly, caffè d’orzo is made from barley, a grain commonly found in breakfast cereals.
In Italy, barley is considered a substitute for coffee beans but contains no caffeine. This may be a great alternative for people with caffeine sensitivities or allergies. Whether or not it tastes like coffee is a matter of opinion.
6. Caffè Latte
Caffè means espresso and latte means milk in Italian. This accurately describes a caffè latte, an espresso with milk added. It’s similar to a cappuccino, but caffè lattes aren’t made from equal parts espresso, milk, and foam.
A caffè latte is a milky coffee made with one or two espresso shots, steamed milk, and topped off with a layer of foam. Italian caffè lattes are much smaller than the giant cups you’re used to getting at your favorite chain shop here in the States.
7. Caffè Lungo
Caffè Lungo, which translates into long coffee, is similar to caffè Americano, but with a more robust taste. Like caffè Americano, it’s made with hot water and espresso, but there’s a major difference in the type of water added at the end.
Instead of adding plain hot water right before it’s served, caffè lungo uses the same water the coffee grounds were brewed in as the final additive. This makes it a bit stronger than caffè Americano and a little more caffeinated.
8. Caffè Ristretto
If the strong-tasting espresso is an acquired taste, then caffè ristretto is even more so. Caffè ristretto is made using the same quantity of coffee but only adds half the water.
Because the liquid is so concentrated, it’s smaller than an espresso. You could probably finish it in a single gulp if you’re brave. It’s not for every coffee drinker, especially if you’re not an espresso fan.
9. Caffè Shakerato
This iced coffee beverage isn’t like the typical American iced coffee. It’s espresso with ice mixed in a cocktail shaker. Instead of being in a regular cup, it’s served in a martini glass. Fancy!
Italians drink it with a bit of sugar, a bitter liqueur such as Amaro, or a sweeter one. Like cappuccino freddo, it’s servedduring the summer.
10. Cappuccino
Prepared hot, cappuccino is made from equal parts caffè (espresso), steamed milk, and foam. These proportions aren’t written in stone and can be adjusted to your tastes.
Cappuccino is a more popular coffee beverage in Italy and is typically served in the morning. You can add vanilla, cinnamon, or cocoa powder for an enhanced cappuccino flavor,
11. Other Cappuccinos
Cappuccino is espresso topped with steamed milk and a layer of milk foam. It’s typically served hot. Cappuccino Freddo is the same drink, but it’s made cold and served in the summer.
Cappuccino chiaro is made with more hot milk and less foam. Cappuccino scuro is made with more coffee and less milk for a more pungent taste. Cappuccino secco is made with only frothed milk.
12. Marocchino
For a coffee that’s decidedly sweeter than other types, the marocchino is the way to go. It’s served in a glass and made from a shot of espresso, a layer of foam, and cacao powder.
There isn’t one specific flavor profile for a marocchino; it depends on how sweet you want it. The drink can be madewith Nutella, cinnamon, and hot chocolate powder. Because of its level of sweetness, it’s considered a dessert coffee.
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