While some UK cafes serve drinks containing caramel, syrups and cookies, Italians would regard these concoctions as breakfast or dessert.
Some British cafes serve drinks with 25 teaspoons of sugar per cup.
Not in Italy.
In Italy coffee is synonymous with espresso. Ask for a coffee in a bar from Trieste to Palermo and you will be presented with an espresso. You may drink it seated (usually more expensive), or standing, al banco.
Sugar is optional. Zero to one teaspoon rather than 25.
But there are of course variations to the single shot.
Some will add a spoonful of milk foam: the macchiato. It should not be confused with the similarly named bucket of milk and caramel available in other countries.
See on theguardian.com
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