Although drinking espresso is a daily ritual for many, many misconceptions have been created around this small cup. One of them is the question – what is a glass of water for and when should you actually drink it?
– Before coffee, says the Italian Emanuele in an interview with Onet and explains why.
The tradition of serving water with coffee originates, among other things, from Vienna, where coffee was more than a drink for centuries. It was an experience. In times when access to clean water was not common, serving it testified to the prestige of the bar. A glass of water next to the cup meant luxury, care for the guest and high quality of service.
Over the years this custom has persisted, but its meaning has begun to change. Today, many perceive water as an additive to “water down” coffee, which, it turns out, does not always coincide with the original intention.
– In my area, around Naples, the waiter automatically brings us water, but it happens that in some places you have to ask for it, says the Italian.
– We drink water before coffee to cleanse the palate, he said, surprising many, including BiH. citizens who drink water with coffee, in most cases, drink it in a different way.
Italians often reach for coffee after a meal. For example, they often eat a sweet croissant filled with chocolate or pistachio cream for breakfast. Water, therefore, has a simple function. It removes the taste of food and allows the coffee aroma to be fully felt.
– Thanks to that, the coffee tastes exactly the way it should taste, emphasizes Emanuele.
And what about drinking water after coffee? This is where the problems begin, explains the Italian, reports Mondo.rs.
– Of course, it happens that someone drinks the rest of the water after finishing the coffee, but not everyone likes that. In places known for excellent coffee, such a gesture is sometimes interpreted as a subtle criticism. Drinking water immediately after coffee can be understood as a signal that the drink was not tasty and that the guest wants to get rid of that taste as soon as possible, he explains.
If espresso really isn’t your thing, there’s a way to get out of the situation in style.
“It’s better to wait a bit and only then reach for water. It’s a more elegant solution.”
In Italy, coffee is an inseparable part of everyday life. Do not drink long and slowly. On the contrary, it is a quick ritual integrated into the rhythm of the day.
– We drink a lot of such coffee during the day. Before work or college, we run to the bar and drink it off our feet. During the day, when we stop by family, friends or neighbors, we always hear: ‘Do you want coffee?’ That question always means one thing – espresso. This is important to know, especially for tourists, he explains.
