They say Italy is the birthplace of espresso – and locals guard it like a national treasure. But honestly, it’s the biggest joke in Italian cuisine: you get served a miniature cup of dark liquid that disappears faster than a tourist in Rome without a map. For the price of two sips of espresso in Milan, you could buy half a liter of coffee in the U.S. – and even get a free plastic smile from the barista.
Italians insist this is the “real” coffee, an art, a ritual. But ask a Scandinavian, and they’ll tell you espresso feels like hugging the coffee pot only to be pushed away. Northerners prefer liters of coffee that can power them through an entire workday. Italians, on the other hand, will explain that only an amateur would drink more than three sips.
The funniest part? Tourists always try to blend in: they stand at the counter, order an espresso, flinch at the bitterness, and seconds later the cup is empty. Then comes the awkward moment – should they order another one, or pretend they actually liked it?
The truth is simple: Italian espresso isn’t really a drink, it’s a cultural punchline. A tiny cup, a huge ego – and an even bigger sense of pride that you’re drinking coffee “the right way.”
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