Italian Coffee

For a small, concentrated coffee, ask for “un caffè, per favore”: you are ordering an espresso. Choose the counter for a quick pause, or a table when you want to linger and talk. Check the price for the service you choose before ordering; a seat and table service can cost more. If you are unsure when to pay, “Si paga prima?” means “Do I pay first?” You do not need a perfect accent to enjoy the moment.

Choose a macchiato if you want espresso with just a little milk; choose cappuccino for steamed milk and foam, or caffè latte for a milkier drink with little foam. Cappuccino belongs to the morning routine for many Italians, but that is a custom, not a ban on enjoying one later. Order what you like. If the milk matters to you, ask which options are available before the barista starts.

If you want more coffee to sip, decide how you want it made. A lungo runs more water through the ground coffee during extraction. An Americano adds hot water to a prepared espresso. Ask for an Americano when you want a longer, diluted espresso; choose a lungo to try the flavour of a longer extraction. The larger cup alone does not tell you which drink you have, so the name is worth getting right.

For a Moka Express, fill the lower chamber with water below the safety valve, then fill the funnel loosely with coffee without pressing it down. Use low to medium heat; on a gas hob, keep the flame beneath the base. Remove the pot from the heat when the upper chamber has filled rather than letting the coffee boil. Follow the instructions for your own model, including hob compatibility. Set out the cups first, and serve when it is ready: a small pot shared at the kitchen table is a lovely way to end a meal.