(Photo: Flickr)

Italy, home to several world-renowned delicacies, is also where the first coffee house in Europe opened in the 17th century.

With the increasing prevalence of coffee, came the birth of a fascinating culture unlike any other in the world.

If you are a first-time visitor to Italy and want to find a nice cup of coffee, head for places with the word “bar” in their names! Surprisingly, while this word is only associated with alcohol in other countries, a bar in Italy is where one can savor authentic traditional coffee.

Unlike Vietnam, where coffee shops come in all shapes and sizes from plastic stools by the streets to intricately-decorated spaces, many Italian coffee houses are still located in ancient buildings that resemble a Renaissance painting. Marcello, a 37-year-old Italian coffee enthusiast, said the grandeur of these coffee shops is what draws tourists in.

“I think the coffee shops in Italy are very fancy and they use this as a promotion to attract customers, obviously. Because Italian people want to be in a comfortable place, they pay attention to every detail so even the chairs, the tables, the ceilings, the environment, everything is well designed,” he said. 

La Casa Del Caffè Tazza D'oro, a popular coffee shop in Rome, Italy. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Coffee time for a lot of Vietnamese is by default chatting time. Having a cup of coffee here has evolved into a form of socializing where coffee is only an excuse for people to spend time with their friends. In fact, coffee culture has become so common that “let’s go have some coffee” is always a hangout invitation even if no one is ordering coffee! 

The balcony of a coffee shop on Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hanoi. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Meanwhile, Italians will stop by a coffee shop for a quick cup of espresso, which lasts for at most 5 minutes. For a lot of Italians, coffee serves as a caffeine boost or a short-lived pleasure before returning to their daily schedule. For this reason, Marcello said that locals usually enjoy their coffee while standing next to the bar. In some touristy areas, people may even have to pay an extra fee if they want to drink coffee at a table.

“Usually Italian people order their coffee from the bartender. They drink espresso, which is one shot, so it only takes a couple of seconds and then they leave quickly. People from coastal regions prefer cold coffee or iced coffee while in the mountainous areas, they prefer long, hot coffee,” said Marcello.

There is also a difference in the types of coffee found in Vietnam and Italy. In Vietnam, an iced black coffee or milk coffee would be a perfect companion to many locals’ breakfast. For a better view of the two layers: condensed milk at the bottom and black coffee on top, glass cups are the go-to choice for Vietnamese coffee.

Meanwhile, Italians prefer a cup of Espresso, or Caffe in Italian, to freshen up for the day. Since espresso is only served hot, a ceramic cup is ideal to preserve the drink’s temperature.

“I think we have many different kinds of coffee, and sometimes Italians ask for a hot coffee in a cold cup or vice versa. Or they will ask for coffee to be put in a glass cup or a ceramic one. Another difference is the way Italian coffee is made. We usually like high-quality ingredients. It’s rare to find a coffee shop that sells low-quality products, so that’s good,” Marcello talked about the exquisite taste of Italian coffee.

Although Vietnam and Italy may differ in their choice of beans and variety of drink, both are home to the finest coffee one can possibly find. Hence, whether in Vietnam or Italy, coffee lovers are most likely in for a treat when they step into a coffee shop.

Next time when you are having a cup of coffee in a foreign country, take some time to observe the local people around you. Who knows what interesting aspects of their culture you may discover!