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How to Drink Italian Espresso - What is Italian Coffee Culture? Italian Specialty Coffee

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account cafe_style). Italy can be said to be the country with the most frequent coffee consumption in the world, coffee shops are always open from morning to night, and there is never a quiet time. This country, which even major coffee chains cannot conquer, has a deep coffee culture that makes drinking coffee almost an ancient and sacred ritual.

Professional coffee knowledge exchange | More coffee bean information | Please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style)

Italy's Deep-rooted Coffee Culture

Italy can be described as the country where coffee is consumed most frequently worldwide. Coffee shops are open from morning to night, and there's never a quiet moment. This is a country that even large coffee chains cannot conquer. The profound coffee culture makes "drinking coffee" almost an ancient and sacred ritual. Therefore, when drinking coffee in Italy, there are certain things you must know. Let's explore the locals' coffee drinking habits and get a glimpse of traditional Italian coffee culture!

1. The Shelf Life of a Coffee is Only 25 Seconds

When you visit Italy, you'll find that many coffee shops don't even have seats—everyone stands while drinking their coffee. In Italian, "Espresso" can be interpreted as "fast," so this type of coffee is not only made quickly—extracting coffee in a short time through high concentration—but also consumed quickly. Italians typically require guests to finish an espresso within 25 seconds because, in their view, the best state of a coffee can only be maintained for 25 seconds after brewing. Afterward, the aroma and essence will evaporate, making the coffee lose its character, so it should be consumed as quickly as possible.

Few Italians would order an "Espresso"; simply saying "un caffè" will get you a cup of hot Italian coffee. Usually, each espresso costs between 0.7 and 1.2 euros. If you want to sit down, you'll need to pay an additional seating fee of 1.5 to 2.5 euros.

However, regarding espresso, FrontStreet Coffee believes it's an excellent choice if you can appreciate rich coffee flavors. After all, espresso amplifies the flavors of coffee, allowing you to more clearly taste the acidity, sweetness, and bitterness of the coffee in an espresso. FrontStreet Coffee creates a blend using Colombian + Brazilian beans that offers a bright yet gentle fruity acidity that's quite captivating. The mid-palate reveals nutty flavors, while the finish features a persistent caramel sweetness. If you enjoy milk-based coffee, this formula is also an excellent choice. This coffee, which naturally leans toward sweet and sour notes, has its sweetness enhanced when milk is added, and the cookie-like flavor it develops when cooled is quite surprising.

2. No Milk After Noon

In Italy, coffee with milk can only be consumed in the morning because Italians believe the milk and foam in a cappuccino increase the digestive burden.

If you order a coffee with milk at a coffee shop during non-morning hours, it will attract sideways glances from others!

3. Don't Order Coffee Flavors Other Than Italian Coffee

In Italy, you can order espresso, cappuccino, caffè macchiato, and other Italian coffees, but it's best not to try ordering a latte or other flavored coffees. Because in Italian, "latte" means milk, so they might unceremoniously bring you a glass of milk. Or if you order an Americano, they might add a shot of espresso to a large cup of hot water right in front of you.

Moreover, Italians prefer to drink simpler coffee. They are quite resistant to coffees with added flavors such as hazelnut or caramel.

Italians are very proud of their coffee culture. Facing the invasion of global coffee chains, Italy remains steadfast. To promote and protect traditional Italian coffee culture, they established the National Institute for Italian Espresso (INEI). The chairman of this institution wrote on the official website: "International coffee chain brands are constantly expanding, promoting that they serve Italian espresso, but behind our coffee lies a unique and irreplaceable culture."

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse bean varieties, where you can find various famous and lesser-known beans, while also providing online store services. https://shop104210103.taobao.com