Guide to ordering coffee in Italy

Here’s our guide to ordering a coffee in Italy, especially for those of you wanting to live in Italy.
Much like our guide to cooking pasta, it’s an easy to use, simple outline to a great Italian tradition.
So:1.

Un caffé in Italy is an espresso coffee.
There is no further explanation to add.

If you want an espresso you don’t say “espresso” you say “un caffé”.
It’s as simple as that.
This is an all day coffee generally ordered standing up at the bar, unless you’ve finished dinner when you have it at table.

2.
A cappuccino is just what you’d expect but minus the chocolate on top.
The history of chocolate dusting must have come from somewhere else.
The Italians are catching on though, and will ask you if you want chocolate, particularly if they know you’re a foreigner.

Be careful though, because when they ask you if you want “cacao” it will often be bitter cocoa and not chocolate that makes its way on to your cappuccino.
Cappuccinos are often served luke warm so they can be drunk quickly.

If you want a hot one you should specify “caldo”.
You will probably get frowned at, but that’s life.