Hi, my name is Giulia. 

I am a native Italian, yet I’ve lived many years in Arizona, USA. I teach both Italian for English speaking students and English to Italian students.

But I also write articles about travel, culture food to give you more from this amazing country.

And now this article, or should I say - a guide so you can learn more about the Italian coffee culture. 

Table of Contents:

• The origins of the espresso machine
• Different types of coffee and how to drink them
• List of Italian coffee types
• How to order a coffee like a real Italian

The origin of the espresso machine

You probably already know a lot about the origins of the Moka machine from my podcast course, but do you know anything about the world famous espresso machine? 

The Italian espresso, which most Italians drink at least once a day and which is known all over the world, was born in the city of Turin. 

We are not talking about varieties of coffee or special blends, but about the machine that gave life to the much-loved Italian espresso, which in Italy is simply called “il caffè” (the coffee).

In 1884, the Turinese Angelo Moriondo, who came from a family of entrepreneurs who mainly dealt with liquors and chocolate, created the espresso machine. 

His father, Giacomo, together with his brother and cousin, founded the "Moriondo & Gariglio" chocolate factory in Turin in 1850, and they were the official suppliers of chocolate to the House of Savoy (the Italian royals back in the day).

As a curiosity, it can be mentioned that the chocolate manufacturer was later moved to Rome, as a result of the House of Savoy moving to Rome, as Rome became the capital in 1871.

That tells you how important chocolate was to the Savoy family and how good the product offered must have been.

Angelo Moriondo was involved in restaurant management as he was the owner of the Grand Hotel Ligure which was then located in Piazza Carlo Felice. 

He also ran the American Bar in the Galleria Nazionale in via Roma, and it was precisely the high demand in his coffee shop that made him design a machine that would allow him to produce coffee faster, especially during customer rush hours.

Galleria Nazionale was demolished when the new via Roma was built in the 1930's

The Moriondo espresso machine was first presented at an exhibition in 1884 in Turin.

In the espresso coffee machine, the water was boiled before it reached the container with coffee in it through a coil system. The water was therefore put under pressure, so that the hot Italian drink could be prepared much faster.

With this ingenious machine, it became possible to make as many as 10 cups of coffee every 2 minutes and up to 300 cups in an hour. Hence the name "espresso" (express, super fast)!

The coffee was also more concentrated and therefore preserved the aromas and scents a lot better, so the machine was not only faster but it made a tastier drink too! 

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Milanese Desiderio Pavoni bought all the patents and began the mass production of these machines, founding the Pavoni company.

The success was extreme and the machine was soon widely purchased.  

Over the years, many espresso coffee machines have been created, increasingly beautiful and sophisticated, to meet the ever-increasing demand for this now indispensable drink for Italians (and not only).

The mechanism of all these machines is the same as in the very first one, created in Turin in the second half of the nineteenth century from the idea of Angelo Moriondo.

In short, there is a little bit of Turin in every cup of espresso drunk every day in Italy and around the world.

Different types of coffee and how to drink them

If you travel to Italy and you drink coffee in a real Italian “bar” (coffee shop) you have probably received a little shot of water with your espresso. 

This little shot of water should be drunk before having an espresso and not after it… despite what many people think and do. The main reason for this is that by drinking the water, you rinse your mouth, and then you are ready to enjoy the true flavor of the espresso coffee.

Even though Italians quickly enter a bar, drink an espresso, and quickly exit again, that does not mean that it is not enjoyed.

If you study the coffee habits of Italians and how coffee is consumed throughout the day, you will immediately understand more.

Let's look at how coffee is often drunk in Italy. 

Morning 

Most Italians that enjoy taking their breakfast at home, either have a cappuccino or an espresso in the morning together with something simple to eat such as a cookie, a cornetto, or a small piece of pre-toasted bread with jam. Very often we have fette biscottate (malva biscuits).

So when our morning routine allows it, we take our time and we share a nice breakfast with the entire family to get the energy to easily start the day.

Many people also like to have an espresso at a cafè near their place of work, or they stop somewhere along the way. This coffee is consumed quickly. Unless one takes the whole breakfast at this bar, and that’s a different story.

During the morning - before lunch

The coffee routine of all Italians is quite similar. In the morning at around 10 or 10.30 we start craving for our next shot of espresso.

If you come to Italy you will notice that around that time the cafès are packed with people needing a quick espresso. Is it needed? Maybe not, but it’s a routine that will allow you to take a break from work and relax before your next espresso pit stop.

In the offices there are usually special “coffee break” areas with the vending machines, to allow for the employees to relax, enjoy a coffee and walk away from the desk for a couple of minutes.

The choice of coffee depends on the taste of each individual but I would say that the most common one is a normal espresso or a macchiato, which is an espresso with some milk.

Lunch

Coffee is essential after lunch!

Read it again… coffee not cappuccino! 

If you have ever visited Italy you have probably noticed that most cafès will also offer quick lunch options.

Whether you eat out or at home, an espresso after lunch is a must and is what will give you the energy to keep going until the afternoon break or as we Italians like to call it the time for “merenda” (snacks).  

Lunchtime can vary from north to south but in most places it takes place around 12-12:30 and until maximum 13:30.

Afternoon

During the afternoon we usually need another break from work, house chores or life in general and why not have a little espresso here too?

An espresso, a caffè macchiato, or perhaps a ristretto (which has a much more intense taste) will give you that extra kick to take you towards the end of the day.

Evening

Italians will drink coffee wherever they feel the need, so even after dinner.

Some might go for a decaffeinato, but most will enjoy a normal espresso. Often after the coffe some might enjoy what is called ammazza caffè (coffee killer) which is any kind of very stron liquor: a grappa, an amaro or other strong drinks. 

Let me tell you, being an Italian barista or waiter in Italy can be challenging.

Imagine being a waiter at a restaurant and taking an order at a table of 8 or 9 people and all of them have different coffee preferences… you would go crazy right? 

Because after all “il caffè” (the coffee) like we Italians like to call it isn’t just one. The list is endless! So next time you come to Italy remember to be super nice to the barista!

List of Italian coffee types

• Caffè = espresso, sometimes also called caffè espresso or caffè normale
• Caffè macchiato = espresso with a little bit of milk, it can be hot milk or cold milk or frothed milk
• Caffè lungo = espresso with slightly more hot water, a “longer” espresso
• Caffè americano = a long espresso with hot water (hated by most Italians)
• Cappuccino = espresso with steamed milk and milk foam on top
• Latte macchiato = Hot steamed milk with a dash of espresso in it (it’s like the opposite of a cappuccino) or brandy in it (typical of the Veneto region)
• Crema al caffè = dessert drink - espresso foamed with cream and sugar, served cold (perfect for the hot Italian summers)

This is how to order a coffee like a real Italian:

Remember, to get better service in Italy you have to speak Italian and be super polite.

Your usual greetings buongiorno (good morning), buonasera (good evening) and the basic grazie (thank you) will be used. But if you ask for coffee in Italian the barista will absolutely appreciate it!

Give it a try the next time you come to Italy!

• Vorrei un caffè macchiato per favore ( I would like a macchinato please)
• Potrebbe farmi un caffè per favore? (Can you please make me a coffee please?)
• Io prendo un cappuccino, grazie! (I will take a cappuccino, thanks!)

Hi, my name is Giulia. 

I am a native Italian, yet I’ve lived many years in Arizona, USA. I teach both Italian for English speaking students and English to Italian students.

Want to relax while you learn Italian?