Italian Steps - Coffee - Cultural notes

Fact File

• If you request un caffè, a coffee, in Italy, you will by default receive un espresso - a small, strong, black coffee. Espresso is considered to be so essential to daily life that its price is regulated by the government.



• Cappuccino, espresso, milk and froth, is generally only drunk at breakfast time or mid-morning. Don't even consider having one after your evening meal.



• Italians aren't ones for lounging around in coffee bars. It's very much a 'drink and go' culture so don't be surprised to see them downing their drink in just one or two gulps while standing at il banco, the bar.



• You generally pay for your coffee in advance at la cassa, the cash desk, then repeat your order at the bar, handing lo scontrino, receipt, to il barista, the barman.



• If you want to be adventurous with your coffee, try un'affogato, literally 'drowned' coffee, where espresso is poured over vanilla ice-cream. And if you fancy a coffee with a kick then order un caffè corretto, literally a 'corrected' coffee, made with espresso with a shot of spirit, usually grappa.



• Coffee was imported from Arabia to Venice in 1615. Fanatical Christians urged Pope Clemente VII to ban what they dubbed the 'devil's beverage', but the Pope tried it, loved it and went on to 'bless' it, making it an acceptable Christian drink.



• The much-loved cappuccino was named for its resemblance to the colour of robes worn by the monks of the Capuchin order.



• In 1906, the first commercial espresso machine was manufactured in Italy. In 1933, Dr Ernest Illy developed the first automatic coffee-maker and in 1946, Italian inventor Achilles Gaggia perfected the machine by introducing a high-pressure piston, which produced a thick layer of froth.