Believe it or not, for Italians, drinking espresso is a way of life. Thus, they have their own coffee culture, and it is a serious one. Like a signature.
As it is said, to drink espresso one must know the right way and the wrong way. In order to learn the right way of drinking espresso, Luca Di Pietro, founder of Tarallucci e Vino in New York who also happens to be a coffee industry vet, gave insight of how to drink the shot like a real Italian.
1. Understanding Espresso
Coffee drinks is different one another because of the extraction process of the coffee. You can find espresso, brewed coffee, or French press.
To extract coffee, espresso machine uses pressure 132 pounds per square inch. While brewed coffee only uses gravity, so that is what makes them different. Traditionally, you need seven grams of coffee in one cup, and to make it is no longer than 25 seconds.
Espresso should not taste bitter, nor make you tremble, said Di Pietro.
2. Be original
Enjoy your coffee seriously like Italians do.
As Di Pietro said, when not treated properly, coffee would go stale so quickly. To drink it like a local, make sure the coffee taste good, each and every day of the year.
3. It has to be made expressly
Di Pietro said that espresso does mean express, and it is expressly made for you. So espresso should be made fast as ordered.
4. Order espresso at the bar
Italians rarely just sit down then order an espresso. So, go to the bar to order it.
5. Must be drunk quickly
Di Pietro said, "Espresso needs to be made expressly for you, but it also needs to be drunk very quickly." It means that you should drink it when the crema is still there on top. As the top layer covering espresso, the crema keeps the aroma in. Thus, it disappears quickly.
6. Not drinking espresso coffee without crema
It can be decaf or been sitting around for too long. That is why coffee enthusiast would never order espresso at the table, said Di Pietro. The crema is quick to disappear, it just thins out. So, it might get too late if you order it anywhere but in the counter.
7. Espresso can be drunk anytime, but cappuccino is absolutely not for after breakfast
Espresso can be drunk just any time. But, you should not drink cappuccino after 11am. Like Di Pietro said, people in Italy will think that you are strange to drink cappuccino after 11am. Italians love to have cappuccino after dinner, or also with a meal, since coffee with milk base is for the morning drink.
8. No milk added
When milk is added then it is turning to be espresso machiatto, then you should drink it before 11am. But, Di Pietro suggests you to add liquor so your espresso turn into a caffe corretto. Just remember that it is for the day but later.
9. It is actually a lifestyle, a way you live
Di Pietro said that you should have quick espresso coffee while enjoying some pastry and chat a little bit. You do it not for long. A morning with espresso is not just some moment in your days, it is actually one’s way of life.