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How You Can Drink Coffee like a Real Italian

24 October, 2018

It’s a daily ritual for millions. It’s a motivator on the groggiest of Mondays. It’s a magic brew sipped around the world. 

There are almost as many ways to order coffee as there are folks who drink it —  Light roast. Dark brew. Iced. Black.

Ask any barista and they’ll tell you a coffee order is as unique as the person ordering it. This should come as no surprise. Coffee is something many of us are passionate about it. We know what we like and are willing to pay to get our liquid jolt just how we like it. In America, we’ve become quite spoiled in our coffee ordering habits — iced-peppermint-mochas, unicorn-lattes and frozen-glitter-macchiato.  In Italy, you won’t find anyone ordering a salted soy caramel cappuccino, though. So, what do Italians order when they want a cup of joe?

Here are a 5 tips to help you drink coffee like a real italiano

  • Espresso – this is not a drink, it’s a setting and a term for measuring out a dose. When Italians want an “espresso,” they simply ask for “un caffe” (a coffee).
  • Simplicity – resist your urge to order a half-caf.  3-pump vanilla latte with extra foam. In Italy, you won’t find it.
  • Morning Milk – Cappuccino can be enjoyed in the morning cup but not after 11AM. Caffe is often served as part of the dinner meal.
  • Drink and Go – Italians stand, sip and skedaddle in a matter of minutes. You won’t find couches and cushioned chairs at an authentic Italian coffee shop.
  • Honor the Trinitycappuccino: a shot of espresso with foamed milk; macchiato: espresso with a dash of steamed milk; caffe latte: espresso with hot milk and no foam

Now you can enjoy your caffe like a true Italian. We have nothing against raspberry mochaccinos but there’s something to be said for caffeinated simplicity. Our OLD SCHOOL FOOD TOUR stops in San Diego’s most authentic Italian cafes. After all, we know your caffe will taste even better with a fresh cannoli.

Our guide was simply amazing!!! He was well animated, very accommodating, and extremely personable. He was quite a character, in a fun and exciting way. I have nothing but positive things to say about my tour experience. I highly recommend choosing Little Italy Tours to be your tour guide! — VM, Bonita, CA
This is a MUST See and Do attraction in SD. Even members of our group who were born here, were blown away by the City and Neighborhood's History and stories. It was like we were transported back in time. The company and our guide did an Amazing Job!!! Our Group of 20+ can't stop raving about it! —Lisa B. Chula Vista, CA
What a ball! My colleagues and I took the Little Italy tour for our office party and a bit of team-building. We had so much fun. Our guide was amazing. We learned so much about pizza and Italian cuisine and Little Italy's influence in San Diego. We ate, we learned, we drank, and we had a ball! I would highly recommend taking a tour with Little Italy. Grazie mille!!! — Robin D. San Diego, CA
What an amazing and engaging tour guide we had! The best of the best! I feel in love with Italy all over again. The pizza, pasta and gelato was as tasty as could be. Their cooking class is next on my list. Ciao! —Marlo V. Las Vegas, NV
My work department did this tour as part of our holiday celebrations and had a great time! Our tour guide was very informative and energetic. We learned all about where pizza came from and each stop taught us something new and allowed us to try pizza from a different region. You will leave full and educated! —Sheila S. Boston, MA
Best hour and a half out of a 9 day trip. Thanks to our guide for an entertaining and informative tour of Little Italy! —Duane L. Duluth, MN
We had a WONDERFUL tour this morning with our guide!! We all, ages from 14 to 53, had such a special and fun time learning about the history of Little Italy... We will DEFINITELY schedule something else with this group. It was truly the highlight of our vacation! —Suzy H. Irvine, CA
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