In Italy, the rule of thumb is: After lunch or dinner, only black! If you order a coffee with milk, you have to expect a piqued look from the waiter. Cappuccino and other coffee specialties with milk are therefore often enjoyed in the morning. The “black”, an espresso, is served in the typical small espresso cups and drunk with sugar.
But you can also get an espresso if you just order a coffee; a regular cup of coffee is known here as a “caffé grande”. Italians traditionally like to drink the espresso standing up in a bar and at every opportunity, also in the hustle and bustle of a lunch break before going back to work.
