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Coffee, water, and a piece of chocolate: what's the right order?
The word to etiquette by GIULIA ARNALDI
Some people drink water first, some save it for last, and some even dissolve the piece of chocolate in the coffee. But is there a specific rule? Let's find out with the help of the Italian Galateo Academy.
If three people go to have coffee and find a coffee cup, a glass of water, and a piece of chocolate on the counter, you can bet that each one will consume them in a different order. But who is right? In reality, no one is right; there is no specific rule. However, etiquette can come to our rescue and save us from some embarrassment.
Coffee, what does etiquette say? "It's the union of two different traditions," explains the Italian Galateo Academy. "That's why there is no specific rule. In fact, serving coffee with a glass of water is a typically Neapolitan custom. The piece of chocolate (Gianduia) next to the coffee cup, on the other hand, has spread starting from Turin. Now it's not uncommon to find both. If there is no tradition behind it, it's best to rely on science. In Naples, the glass of water with coffee has a very specific purpose, which is to cleanse the taste buds and prepare them to fully appreciate the coffee's aromas. In Turin, the piece of chocolate serves to add a touch of sweetness to the intense and bitter taste of coffee, especially when it's not sweetened, and to awaken the taste buds after they've been numbed by the hot beverage. The logical right order, therefore, is water, coffee, and finally, the piece of chocolate. After that, everyone can choose the order they prefer. Many, for example, prefer to drink the glass of water at the end to rinse their mouths. The only unbreakable rule is this: you do not dissolve the piece of chocolate in the coffee!"
So, you won't really make a bad impression on anyone if you change the order of these elements, but in this case, the result will change because you won't be able to fully enjoy the coffee experience. Then, who knows how the rules change when ordering a "macchiato" coffee or adding sugar.
The word to etiquette by GIULIA ARNALDI
Some people drink water first, some save it for last, and some even dissolve the piece of chocolate in the coffee. But is there a specific rule? Let's find out with the help of the Italian Galateo Academy.
If three people go to have coffee and find a coffee cup, a glass of water, and a piece of chocolate on the counter, you can bet that each one will consume them in a different order. But who is right? In reality, no one is right; there is no specific rule. However, etiquette can come to our rescue and save us from some embarrassment.
Coffee, what does etiquette say? "It's the union of two different traditions," explains the Italian Galateo Academy. "That's why there is no specific rule. In fact, serving coffee with a glass of water is a typically Neapolitan custom. The piece of chocolate (Gianduia) next to the coffee cup, on the other hand, has spread starting from Turin. Now it's not uncommon to find both. If there is no tradition behind it, it's best to rely on science. In Naples, the glass of water with coffee has a very specific purpose, which is to cleanse the taste buds and prepare them to fully appreciate the coffee's aromas. In Turin, the piece of chocolate serves to add a touch of sweetness to the intense and bitter taste of coffee, especially when it's not sweetened, and to awaken the taste buds after they've been numbed by the hot beverage. The logical right order, therefore, is water, coffee, and finally, the piece of chocolate. After that, everyone can choose the order they prefer. Many, for example, prefer to drink the glass of water at the end to rinse their mouths. The only unbreakable rule is this: you do not dissolve the piece of chocolate in the coffee!"
So, you won't really make a bad impression on anyone if you change the order of these elements, but in this case, the result will change because you won't be able to fully enjoy the coffee experience. Then, who knows how the rules change when ordering a "macchiato" coffee or adding sugar.
