Three must-know words before beginning: cornetto (pronounced “kohr-neht-toh”), questo (“kweh-stoh”), and quello (“kweh-loh”). Do not proceed until firmly committed to memory. These will come in handy during a visit to Italia (“Italy”).
After a first night of restless slumber, still jet-lagged and with throbbing feet, we wandered or rather, metroed, to our first attraction of the day: the inimitable Vatican City.
But first, some colazione or “breakfast” in Italian. I think I was looking forward to this moment more than I did the Vatican! I would finally get to use some of the Italian I had memorized and, hopefully, if my restaurant research was done correctly, something delicious to boot.
Italians do not generally have large breakfasts like we do in the States. The meal usually consists of a cup of frothy milk-infused coffee and a cornetto or some other delicate pastry. Be warned. Under no circumstances do you refer to the cornetto as its French cousin, the croissant! Expect a stern look or a friendly reprimand if you do. Italians are fiercely protective of their food traditions.
TRAVEL TIP: Italians usually drink Cappuccini (the plural for Cappuccino) or other coffees containing milk before 11:00AM. Why this is so I am not all to clear. I read somewhere that the dairy does not sit well if drank after a large meal. Whatever the reason, the visitor will get a perplexed look from the waiter for doing so.
If a caffeine boost is needed after a satisfying meal of bruschetta or spaghetti alla bolognese, then order un caffe and not an espresso; espresso is a method of coffee preparation and not an actual coffee drink.
TRAVEL TIP: The word latte translates literally to “milk” in Italian. What you are really looking for is a Caffe Latte or Caffe Macchiato. Otherwise, the barista will hand you a glass of milk, unless of course that is what you really wanted. Regular American drip coffee is called Caffe Americano. Easy enough to remember right?
TRAVEL TIP: Ordering a cup of coffee and a pastry (or three!) at breakfast is done a little differently in Italy. You first pay for the items at the cashier and then provide your receipt to the barista to receive the goods.
TRAVEL TIP: What we call a café in the States is called a Bar in Italia. To add to the confusion, Italians drink their coffee and consume their cornettos standing at the bar in the Bar. As mentioned in a previous post and reiterated here again for emphasis, having your cappuccino and pastry outside on a table in the street, will, in all likelihood, double the cost of your breakfast.
FUN FACT. The milk froth on an Italian cappuccino traditionally comes very thick; dense enough that a spoon is needed. To get a similar experience in the States, ask the barista for a “bone dry”, “skeleton”, or “extra dry” cappuccino. If you receive a blank stare, find another coffee shop!
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