„Un caffè per favore” – I’d like some coffee, please.
Let’s talk about coffee…A little about Italian espresso drinking culture.
Espresso is a matter of almost national importance in sunny Italy. When you say in a bar „Un caffè per favore” you just asked for coffee…and then you always get an espresso…and next to it a small glass of still water.
What about this water?
Water served paired with espresso is not a coincidence, nor is it a decorative element – but part of a long-standing coffee tradition.
Above all, water helps cleanse the taste buds, so we can fully appreciate the aroma, sweetness, acidity and character of espresso. Many baristas recommend drinking water before your first sip of coffee to prepare your palate for the tasting.
Some people also reach for water while drinking espresso, gently rinsing their mouths between sips. Thanks to this, each of them allows you to rediscover the richness of taste and aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
We also encounter a similar custom during wine tasting, where water helps neutralize the taste of the previous sample and better evaluate the next one. In the world of coffee, it plays exactly the same role – it allows you to focus on what is most important in taste.
Every region of Italy has its coffee customs. Italy is famous for its diversity – both culinary (10/12/2025 UNESCO has officially included all Italian cuisine on the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity) and coffee.
Just as there is no single, universal recipe for Italian tiramisù, espresso can also vary depending on the region and local customs (but that’s a topic for a separate blog).
Interestingly, in some parts of Italy, a few drops of lemon juice are added to espresso. Proponents of this solution claim that lemon enhances the intensity of the coffee flavor and helps balance the bitterness.
This is an example of how diverse coffee traditions can be and how many ways there are to discover espresso. If you want to experience one of the most refreshing editions, see how to prepare Italian Caffè Shakerato.
It is this diversity that has made the coffee culture in Italy inspire espresso lovers around the world for years.
And if Italian espresso has its own ritual,the way it’s served also matters. See our espresso cup-simple, classic, and designed specifically for small espresso.
Let the coffee just taste good.
Have a good day! ☕️
