Italian Coffee Culture

Coffee in Italy

In the holiday home you rent in Italy, there will probably be a "Moka" – the Italian coffee machine, which requires a little practice to use.

Guide to Moka coffee maker - the Italian coffee machine

Read here how a real Italian Moka coffee maker works:

1. First, unscrew all the parts

2. Fill the bottom part with regular water

3. Insert the filter without the water reaching above the holes

4. Fill the filter with ground Italian coffee – without pressing it

5. Screw on the top part with the handle and tighten it well.

6. Now place the pot over the gas burner with the lid closed.

7. Turn off when the pot splutters and makes a little noise. Do not let the coffee boil.

8. It is now important that you stir the coffee before serving it.

9. Never wash the coffee maker with dish soap or in the dishwasher! It should just be rinsed.

Almost every town with self-respect has a coffee brand. The local Lucca coffee is called "Bei e Nannini". They roast and grind their coffee in the shop in Via Borgo Giannotti – the scent of freshly ground coffee beans will lead you there!

Read more in the guide to Via Borgo Giannotti that we will send you before your holiday, if you choose to stay near Lucca. Then you will also experience the special Italian coffee culture!

What is coffee called in Italian?

To experience more during your holiday in Italy, we recommend you do as the Italians – go to the local bar and ask for:

• Un caffè – then it's up to the bartender how he wants to make it, but it will be small and strong.

• Un caffè lungo – then there's a little more water in the coffee, but the cups are still small, so don't expect a Nordic coffee.

• Un caffè americano – an imitation of Danish / American coffee in quantity but not in taste! Large cup and very much water.

• Un caffè ristretto – not recommended! It's a shrunken coffee with a very strong taste.

• Un macchiato – a caffè in a small cup that is stained with milk. Order this after dinner; never cappuccino.

• Un cappuccino – an espresso in a large cup with warm frothed milk. Drunk for breakfast.

• Un latte macchiato – warm milk, often served in a glass, stained with a little coffee.

• Un caffè corretto – a coffee with some kind of spirit in it; often grappa, sambucca or rum.

• Un caffè freddo – cold coffee mixed with ice cubes. Good on a hot summer day.

See our holiday homes in Italy.

Or contact us for more information.