Caffè ... espresso is a small cup of very strong coffee approximately 20-25mls.

While caffè is a general term for coffee, when you’re in a bar this is what you’d order if you want a single shot of espresso. If you want to order your coffee Italian style....Italians don’t order “un espresso,” they order “un caffè.”

Caffè doppio is two espresso's served in one cup.

To get a less powerful cup of espresso: ask for "un caffe lungo", or "un espresso lungo". You will get twice as much water to the same amount of coffee .

Cappuccino

( pronounced kah-pu-CHEE-no)

Cappuccino is made with a shot of espresso and specially prepared milk. The person who prepares your coffee (the barista) steams the milk for a cappuccino adding tiny bubbles of air into the milk, which gives it its texture. Cappuccino is roughly 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 foam.

The correct ratio of foam is important when steaming the milk. A cappuccino is one of the most difficult espresso beverages to make properly. A skilled barista can make artistic shapes while pouring the milk on the top of the espresso coffee or add a decorative touch with the sprinkling of chocolate/cocoa sometimes added in a pattern on the top of the cappuccino.

The name Cappuccino is supposed to come from the Cappucin friars, it might refer to the colour of their robes or to their (white) heads, surrounded by a ring of brown hair.

Italians do not usually order a Cappuccino after 11 in the morning as it is a morning drink to them; but it is ok for tourists to do so.

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Macchiato....
The word “macchiato” comes from the Italian for “stained,” this drink is a shot of espresso “stained” with a drop or two of hot milk.

You will soon find that the 'flavour' of your caffe or cappuccino varies in different bars, one of the reasons for this is the different brands of coffee the owner of the bar uses. You will get clues as to the brand by looking around the bar. The name of the brand of coffee will be on display on the paper serviettes or even on the coffee cups used in the bar.

Which do I prefer when I am visiting Italy? Definitely a cappuccino for breakfast especially with a delicious pastry. (Similar to what we call in England a Danish pastry; please do not ask me why we call them that). On my last visit to an Italian city some of the bars serving coffee had a special price for a cappuccino purchased at the same time as a pastry.

In the past the price you paid if you drank your caffe/cappuccino at the bar counter was less than if you sat at a table; but we have found that does not happen so often now.

You will find that according to where the bar is located the price for your coffee will vary greatly. You will pay more for a cappuccino purchased in a tourist location or if the bar has a premier location such as near an expensive shopping area or somewhere like Saint Marks Square in Venice ( Piazza San Marco, Venice).

In most cities walking a short distance away from the expensive locations to a nearby bar you can save on the amount of money you pay for your cappuccino/caffe. But sometimes it is nice to do the tourist thing and sit at a pavement cafe and admire the Italian view in front of you.