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Only for a second, think twice before you order a cappuccino in Italy after having breakfast.
If you have ever visited Italy or acquainted yourself with Italian culture, you must have been exposed to the unwritten rules pertaining to food and drinks there. One of the stranger, and much argued upon, is the thought that cappuccino—a typically Italian coffee—should just be drunk in the morning, most preferably before 11 a.m. While this may sound arbitrary, even slightly elitist, this tradition is a part of Italian habits and their view of food as a form of an artistic culture.
The way it’s explained, it’s better to understand the Italian take on food and digestion. This means that people, in general, do not very often gorge themselves and try to balance flavors and ingredients in a dish. A cappuccino, prepared on the basis of espresso and milk, is a nutritious drink- and just the thing to drink on an empty stomach accompanied by a light breakfast of cornetto.
But, post breakfast, the thought of having milk is considered oppressive and unfavorable for proper digestion. Lunch and dinner in Italian culture are said to be multicourse delicacies meant to be savored, and having milk just after the meal is not a thing they do for the digestion.
Italian coffee culture
Digestion is one thing; there is also the question of manners. The Italians have a sense of culinary timing. Just as certain pasta shapes can be combined with certain sauces, so too can certain drinks be matched with times of the day. Espresso is king post-meal, giving an intense fast form of caffeine to wrap up a good feast without inter- fering with the flavors that hang on your palate. To order a cappuccino after twelve, let alone after dinner, might elicit quizzical looks or gentle laughs.
It’s not that they’re judging you harshly, just that a cappuccino at the “wrong” time is as inappropriate to Italians as maybe having ice cream for breakfast would be to someone from another culture.
Sure, and if you are a tourist and have to have your fun little cappuccino in the afternoon, most baristas will do it for you without griping. Still, you may notice a slight smile or an amused look between locals. These moments are not to embarrass you but subtle nods to the cultural peculiarities that make Italy so special.
One of the fun parts about traveling is getting into different rituals, even if at first, they seem strange. So, you may think a usual lunchtime tends to be ordering a cappuccino but try an espresso instead. It will prevent you from attracting undue attention and allow you to imbibe the spirit of coffee prepared in the Italian tradition over the ages.
Finally, little traditions like these may help you get more immersed in Italian culture and the subtle nuances of its food and drink. Who knows, you may find yourself drinking espresso after meals and reserving cappuccino for the morning hours – just like an Italian.
Source: Mashed.com
