How can I get my coffee the way I like it in italy?
 

Hopefully you all know me well enough now to understand that I'm not going to go stomping around Italy yelling for an AMERICAN coffee! But here's the deal. I need a cup of coffee in the morning. This is what I like to drink: about 10 ounces of French roast colored with about 2 ounces of milk. This makes me human in the a.m.

So how do I order coffee to get the closest equivalent to that? Should I get a cappuccino, and if so, do I need to order two of them to get my "big gulp?" Or would a caffe latte be what I want? And do I really need to ask molto caldo to get it hot enough?

Any help to keep me from turning into a hag in the morning in Italy is very appreciated. ~o)

I have never solved this. The nearest I get is a Filtered.

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Hi,

I suggest that a latte followed by a cappucino will get you jump started.

Here's the rundown:

caffe - A small cup of very strong coffee, i.e., espresso

caffe Americano - American-style coffee, but stronger

caffe corretto - Coffee "corrected" with a shot of grappa, cognac, or other spirit

caffe freddo - Iced coffee

caffe Hag - Decaffeinated coffee

caffe latte - Hot milk mixed with coffee and served in a glass for breakfast

caffe macchiato - Espresso "stained" with a drop of steamed milk. A small version of a cappuccino

cappuccino - Espresso infused with steamed milk and drunk in the morning, but never, never after lunch or dinner

granitadi di caffe con panne - Iced coffee with whipped cream

Happy sipping!

I suppose I will be slammed for this and I'm a coffee nut too, but I give up my usual when traveling and learn to enjoy a break from convention while still getting my caffein buzz.

Why not experiment for a short time and do as the natives do? Maybe you'll even enjoy the experience. I'm curious if you also try to get the exact type pasta or pizza that you get at home, rather than trying it the way they make it.

But more specifically to your question, you will find that at two places in Rome next door to each other, the same order will get you two different tasting combinations -- just like ordering the same thing at Starbucks and then Coffee Beanery at home. I suppose Cafe Latte will be the closest. However, make sure you never simply ask for "latte" which will get you pure hot milk with no coffee at all!

dln, do try the espresso. I am not a coffee drinker, but loved those quickie espressos. The great part is you get your morning jolt pretty fast...so you can get right back out to sightsee, stroll, shop, whatever!

If you are ordering from a cafe it's really hard to get something that simulates a Starbucks Vente drip. But the good news is that most Italian hotels have breakfast included and that will get you a small pitcher of coffee, very similar to what you're used to... maybe a little stronger, and a second pitcher of lovely steamed milk. And if you ask for seconds they willingly oblige. :-)

That espresso at the bar thing is interesting. I've watched many an Italian men step up, order one, pour in about a quarter cup of sugar, stir and gulp. Then they leave.

Grasshopper, that's what my DH does. It stupifies me.

Grasshopper, that's what I did with my espresso too...I would feel bit run down, run in, shoot it down, then be ready to go!

Statia, it's almost like they are at a bar gulping down a shooter, but without a chaser! It's fun to watch.
But back to Din's questions, I always order Cafe Latte and have always had it served with a pitcher of coffee and of hot milk so you can adjust the strength. I found it wonderful but I'm always on cloud 9 in Italy and tend to think that everything is wonderful.
I'm sure you will find just the right solution for your AM coffee.

The solution: McDonalds! I too MUST have my big mug of regular American coffee, and Mickey Dee's comes through, even in Italy!

I do have a related question. I'm planning on going for an extended period of time. Are Farberware-style electric percolators for sale in Italy? If not, I'm wondering if mine will work with a converter?

dln ~ Count me in the coffee-loving crowd. I'm happy as a lark to try out new coffees while in Rome, but I MUST HAVE my morning coffee, the way that I like it.

I've thought about either purchasing there one of those coffee pots and heating plates that NYCFoodSnob recommends or ordering a traveling hot water/coffee maker off of the web. Either way, I'll get my java in the morning or any other time that I want.

Btw, when ya leaving?

I like strong, regular coffee, but also enjoy espresso and go with it "when in Rome".

Cafe "americano" in my experience is watered-down espresso, not at all like regular coffee, and vile, IMO.

I always like the coffee in Paris but have found that elsewhere, a small espresso wakes me up then I can have a caffe or latte after.
I was surprised to discover that I can drink espresso in the late afternoon and still sleep at night!
dln,grasshopper, I have graduated to three spoons of sugar in my coffee, soon I will have coffee flavored sugar in the mornings ~

Same problem on first trip to Italy. The caffe Americano was horrible so I quickly switched to Cappucino. As other posters have said if you need another jolt of caffeine step into any bar and get a quick shot of espresso - I normally don't care for straight espresso but with a little sugar it wasn't bad. Will definitely give you a buzz.

For me, it's not just consuming coffee in the morning that's important. Coffee is just part of my morning ritual. Because I'm staying on the top floor of a hotel with no elevator, I want a big cuppa in the morning.

Try what I do wherever I travel.

I always take a small travel kettle (a bit underpwered so takes ages to boil, but it's worked with an adaptor in every hotel room I've ever been in in the world).

Add to this a small cafetiere (holds about 2 cups) and a bag of your favourite ground coffee. Buy milk and store it in your hotel fridge, or steal milk from breakfast, and hey presto! Perfect coffee, whenever you want it.

I'm British, but I'm presuming you can also get travelo kettles and small cafetieres wherever you live.

Kate ~ what's a "cafetiere?"

http://www.showroom2001.com/produits/P19406.htm

Un Cafetiere~

dln, when I was in Italy this past june, I bought from the supermarket an excellent coffee that was made for the drip coffee pot.. It was delicious, strong, however, it was not so strong like the espresso.. In the morning I like to have a big mug of coffee, and was not satisfied to have just a small demitasse.. Try it at your apartment in Rome. Anyway bring with you your favourite American coffee if you can.
By the way, if you must order it at the bar, just buy 2 cappuccino..

One of the joys of going to Europe is not having to drink that murky brown water they call coffee here in the states!

I too love dark Frech roast coffe that I make in my press every morning. I don't mind an espresso during that afternoon slump, but only have it when traveling. I did find that asking for a cafe latte gave me pretty much what I was looking for and was used to. We have recently purchased a Bialetti Moka pot which is a classic italian tradition of making espresso on the stovetop. So hopefully I'll develop a better appreciation of espresso before we return to Italy next year.

dln

Some good suggerstions here. My hubby and I always laugh when we go to a Starbucks here in CA and hear requests like - a double decaf cap, in a mug with nonfat steamed milk, shot of sugar free vanilla, extra foam, no lid, with unsweetend coco sprinkled on top.

We love to imagine what a Florentine Barista would do or say if that request was made there. We wanted to try it out on our last trip, but neither one of us could keep a straight face.

so a cafetiere is just an espresso machine?

Hi MizzEve!
Yes, the small metal kind that you place on the stove.

Calamari, My daughter who manages a Starbucks calls those a "what's the point". Usually it's a decaf triple espresso with a.....

Thank you everyone! A big cup of coffee in the morning is important. I know of course that I could get the caffeine equivalent in a little shot of expresso, but I need quantity in the morning. I like to nurse my cup of coffee <i>slowly</i> and with every sip I become less like :L and more like myself, which you know is I-|...

And to Patrick, now that you know <b>why</b> a bitty little cup of coffee wouldn't work the same magic, you will also guess that no, I don't need to have my pasta and pizza taste the exact same as it does back home! By lunchtime I have rejoined the human race and I'll eat anything an Italian chef can toss my way, any way it's made!

Calimari ~ the link that Scarlett posted Message: http://www.showroom2001.com/produits/P19406.htm is not a kettle on a stove. It's an espresso machine. That said, what exactly is a cafetiera and please someone (I've asked this question so many times without receiving an answer) how in the world is it used?

I think what we in England call a cafetiere is what is called a coffee press (or French coffee press) in the US. It's a glass coffee pot with a filter that you press down when the coffee is brewed.

I think, however, that in France a cafetiere is an espresso machine, with pressurised steam. Another example of a change of meaning as one crosses the channel.

Eve, Ruth is correct. Go to Yahoo and type in &quot;cafetiere&quot; and the first thing that comes up will be a hit from EBAY. Take a look. There's one with an opening bid of $6.99. All it is, is a french press. Although if you look at the other sites that come up under Yahoo, you'll see that the French consider it more of a coffee maker, the kind you plug in.

But I'll tell you what I'm doing because you, like me, know what the &quot;ritual&quot; bit of having a big cup of coffee is! My friend brought over her coffee press and immersion heater to me this afternoon. I think she had ESP that I was undergoing coffee anxiety, because she rescued me! If you visit the website Magellens (the travel catalog people) you will find a coffee making kit with the heater, scoop, and french press. All you need to do is either bring your own coffee if you're picky, or buy it in Italy. I'm going to buy mine at the Standa store in Trastavere. BTW, we arrive in Roma on the 5th for four nights, and then we're back on the 17th, departing on Thursday 18th, early.

When I was in Italy, all of the hotels I stayed in did have a breakfast included. It was always a choice of coffee and a basket of breakfast-type breads and rolls. The great part is that they would deliver it to your room if you asked at no charge. I would have a lot of trouble even making it out of my room in the morning if I didn't have my coffee so I understand dln's dilema.

One of the things I like to buy when I'm overseas is coffee from the grocery store to bring back. I can't drink Folder's or Maxwell House -- it's too gross. But I can buy decent coffee in Europe (England, Germany, or France and I'm betting in the places I haven't been yet as well).

And being able to get a cup of cafe latte or cappucino any where is really wonderful. I was so disappointed on my first trip to England when I ordered a coffee with my desert at dinner and got served AMERICAN style coffee instead of the wonderful stuff they had been serving us for breakfast.

I always bring my &quot;kettle&quot; with me even if there is a coffee maker in the room. Ever had it broken and had to wait till they replace it when somebody who's responsible comes to work at noon?

My wife screamed with delight when she read NYCfoodsnob's coffee thread to MissEve. One of her favorite things to do in Europe is to try new brands of beans and compare. You should see our freezer. I don't drink coffee but my wife doesn't go anywhere without her Bialetti that she picked up in Rome 4 years ago. When NYC suggested Morganti beans, my wife screamed because she hadn't heard of it and had to try it. It's the most expensive coffee I've ever purchased (shipping) but nothing's too expensive for my girl.The beans are on their way. I'll let you all know what she thinks after she's tasted a brew.

dln, that's just about what I have, except with half-and-half instead of milk, along with 2-3 cubes of sugar (I became a cubist after my visit to France.)

In Italy, I've found that two cappucini is a great way to kick off my day. It's not like I need the extra caffeine; they're just so delicious I can't have only one.

I now ask for 2-3 shots of espresso in a large cup (normal size cup by American standards~it's usually filled about 1/2 way or so), and a side of steamed milk. They always give sugar on the side (and sometimes little squares of chocolate). Then I add the steaming milk and sugar to just the right ratio for my taste. It's a hot, good, strong, rich cup of joe. Now, I even order my coffee this way in the States since I get so much variation on a simple latte depending where I go and who makes it. Actually if I go to traditional european cafes, they always make good lattes and cappucinos, but when I go to places with more American patrons I think they often try to make coffee the way they THINK we like it. There lies the problem......

Dln,
An espresso contains much less caffeine than a standard &quot;continental&quot; coffee, this probably explains why Scarlet can still fall asleep at night.
I also think that a Caffelatte cannot fulfil your morning needs as it's just an espresso sunk in a large amount of milk.
I am not able to accomplish my coffee expectations abroad as well.
Why not a cup of tea, instead ?

Dln -- Your hotel breakfasts will provide no problem as they are geared to travelers from other nations. Just ask for either &quot;cafe americano&quot; with extra &quot;latet caldo&quot; or get a double capuccino.

In the street the baristas will do so grudgingly, because as was mentioned it takes the average Italian about 30 seconds to drink his espresso and gobble down his broche or sfogliatellini.

We know you leave shortly so _ buon viaggio!!!!!!

Ducky dear, you've got to be kidding!!! As do the Italians with no cappucino <i>after</i> 11 am, so does dln: no tea <i>before</i> 11 am!

Mmmm choosey, indeed.
I'm afraid McD is your last chance.
(disposable big cups ... brrr )