Why Italians Don't Drink a Cappuccino After 11am 

"I'm grateful to Italy for keeping a reasonable size" American Starbucks: "GETCHU A 20 OZ SUGARMILK COWBOY!"

My guess, for the "no cappu after 11 am" rule, is the same as the reason for only getting white sausage until noon in bavaria: cooling. In the times before refrigerators were invented, you had to use up such things as raw veal sausage or milk, that were delivered in the morning by delivery vehicles cooled with ice blocks, while they were fresh.

Italian here, and no-one is going to stop me from having cappuccino and a pastry at 4-5pm.

Italians "No cuppachino after 11. It's too heavy" Italian American restaurants: "Here's your 1 lb of pasta noodles drowned in alfredo. Would you like espresso after your 4 glasses of red wine?"

No amount of diarrhea will stop me from drinking cappuccinos

Thought I'd be learning about Italian culture, ended up learning about lactose instead! You explained it very well James!

He is so organized in his thoughts. It's a treat just listening to him.

I'm Italian, have been living here since I was born. There really is no good reason why we typically only drink cappuccino in the morning, it's just a cultural thing. We tend to associate breakfast with sweetness, the most popular and "quintessential" Italian breakfast is cappuccino and a croissant/brioche, so we are naturally inclined to think of cappuccino as something you drink in the morning. But then again it's lot like the bartender is gonna deny you a cappuccino at 4pm. They might think it's a little weird but nothing more

One of my best friends growing up was Italian and from how he explained it to me it has more to do with Italians view on food. Italians view a cappucino as a meal. Having a cappucino only for breakfast isn’t abnormal. They also just don’t eat anything substantial for breakfast compared to other cultures I’ve found. If you are asking for a cappucino later in the day they could get confused because you are ruining your appetite for lunch and dinner, the most important meals of the day. So have espresso later in the day if you need coffee but don’t you dare add milk because that will ruin your appetite for the later meals. Also asking for a cappucino after a meal is an insult because that implys that whoever fed you didn’t do a good enough job because you are still hungry if you can drink a cappucino after a meal, again because they consider a cappucino as a meal supplement. That’s how he explained it to me but this could just as easily be an urban myth!

James a video on decaffeinated coffee maybe??

I used to live in Italy. The rule was actually for no milky drinks after 10:30am. Also, drinking espresso after a heavy meal would help digestion. I found this to be true in practice.

Also, Italians eat gelato as a mid-afternoon snack or after dinner while walking around. Has milk just like a cap.

could be part of tradition going back when refrigeration was not available and raw milk can only be served fresh in the morning

Others seem to have said it as well, but my understanding is rather simple: the milk is filling and slower to digest. Because Italians have rather small and sugary breakfasts: Cappuccino e cornetto (croissant) or brioche (basically, any kind of sweet pastry), it's for the sole purpose of getting on your feet. For example, an old-world farmer's breakfast was known as "zabaione," but NOT the dessert cream confection that we normally now associate with that word. It was literally a raw egg yolk, sugar, and espresso mixed into a paste and drunk like a shot before going out to the fields. It's absolutely delicious, and the dessert is a re-imagining of it. The point of Italian colazione is to get the boost of sugar and caffeine to be able to be alert in the morning...the slow burn of carbs and the heaviness of the milk helps keep you full until lunch. But then, the issue is that during pranzo (lunch) or cena (dinner), you are filling up on food. Whether it's pasta, fish, meat, vegetable, usually Italians at home after a meal will have a piece of fruit and espresso. They culturally forbid the application of a large amount of milk (of course, caffè macchiato is always an option at any hour) in part because the idea is that you won't be able to digest the meal properly because it is so filling, the milk will spoil the taste of whatever else was eaten during the meal, and it ruins the pleasure of enjoying the coffee itself. This is a huge part of Itailan coffee cullture: the taste of the espresso is utmost, and adding sugar or milk in any capacity alters that, and so while exception is made for the morning, it is expected that if you are taking coffee (also note, the word used in Italian is always "prendere," to take, and never "bere," to drink, a coffee) you are doing so also to enjoy that specific flavor, even if it has to be slightly sweetened or lightened via the application of sugar or milk. As someone who is lactose intolerant as far as milk is concerned, though perfectly capable of eating dairy foods, I always get into arguments in Italy because naturally I request things like almond milk for my coffee, and I usually prefer a long drink versus a quick shot. However, in Italy, I always follow the rules, especially after a particularly funny scene I inadvertently caused some years back in Florence after an exquisite meal when I just barely asked for a cappuccino with soy milk during dessert. The entire restaurant froze...it was like a scene in a movie! My friends and colleagues were embarrassed and thus I avoid asking for any sort of milk-based, even nut-milk-based, coffee drinks after 12 noon. One last bit, what you say about butter vs oil is very true, however, don't forget that in Southern Italy is where we make the best soft cheeses: mozzarella, scamorza, and many others. I'm not so certain that lactose malabsorption, though decidedly interesting and quite likely involved, is the main culprit. Thanks for the great videos!

Best lecture on lactose intolerance I have ever heard. Thank you.

That was a brilliant connection James. The quality of your videos is excellent!

As an Italian I was prepared to argue, but this actually makes a lot of sense and lines up with geographical and genetic differences. I think it’s a very rational explanation. Someone definitely did his homework.

”Oh, that soothing coffee guy” my girlfriend just said. Keep up the interesting work I say! :)

Italian here too: the ‘no cappuccino after 11am’ rule is an old say from classy people, it’s a rule of behaviors, not anything with diet. Just like you don’t drink alcohol in the morning cause it’ll make you look bad, you don’t drink cappuccino after 11am, cause the day is moving forward and you should get a wine!

Recently stumbled across this man's channel and have been hooked ever since. Truly amazing content.

I worked for a company which was part of The Fiat Group, and have worked with many Italians. One Italian work colleague explained to me that the coffee bars, and other shops too, had to pay a considerably higher unit price for electricity in the afternoon than they paid in the morning, and as the steamer for frothing the milk for a cappuccino uses a lot of electricity they often refused to serve cappuccinos in the afternoon. The price of electricity fluctuates with demand, and the air-conditioning units have to work harder when the midday sun is out and for a few hours afterwards, and that is why the demand goes up at those times. That was all explained to me in a rather animated manner after I had suggested that the habit of no cappuccinos after midday might have something to do with the amount of flying insects which seem to wake up at midday and then head for the nearest milky drink available. Apparently cigarettes are the best way of keeping insects away from you, I must have smoked the wrong brand though because I would get lots of bites on summer evenings in Turin.

"Don't drink coffee after 4PM Portuguese : Drink coffee at 11PM"

I've seen this vid on my recommended list for at least a year, and now I've finally watched it. Pleasing content yet again.

Hi James, I greatly enjoy all your videos for their depth and value, but on this one my friend, you out did yourself! Amazing the amount of knowledge, facts, and explanations you give us! Thanks for all your hard work bringing us these videos!

James when are you going to start reading audiobooks. We need your calming voice in these trying times.

Italian here, the "no cappuccino in the afternoon" thing isn't really taken as seriously as most people make it out to be. At least here in the north, might be more felt in the south. Just don't order a cappuccino along with a pizza or we'll make fun of you forever. Looking at you, German tourists!

Great explanations of coffee and lactose. Thank you!

I’ve just discovered your channel. I love how soothing and calming your voice is. You’re up there with the soothing voice greats like Mr. Rogers, Bob Ross, and Morgan Freeman. 😊

Looks like James is still using his Skillshare subscription

*me drinking a cappuccino at 10:30 AM* "just in time"

Came for the coffee, stayed for the science. Great video!

That was awesome James. I love the style and flavour in which you speak about and describe everything. I am Australian born but an Italian by culture and family history so not just everything “Coffee” but information like this i find very interesting! Thanks so much 🙏

Started following James about a year ago. As a registered dietitian, I’m extremely impressed with his scientific approach and frequent references to scientific literature. Top notch content, James!

Hi James, from a fellow Italian and a molecular biologist who really appreciated you talking about malabsorption instead of intolerance. Big heart for you. Anyway, the reason why most of Italians drink cappuccino only before 12am (not 11), it is just related to its heaviness. Drinking a cappuccino an hour before lunch or close to "aperitivo" before lunch its just difficult to take. Which is not related to lactose malabsorption - can you imagine an Italian who doesn't eat ice cream in the afternoon or after dinner? CRAZY ahahaha. We are weird people who love to keep it simple, that's our style. Same for espresso shots. When we order a single cup of espresso it is implicit for what I call normal shot with 7 gr of coffee. There is no double or even triple shots of espresso for a single cup, it is just too much. Same for food, simple cooking (even if for foreigners it doesn't look simple, it really is) simple and fresh ingredients only. Our cappuccino is 100-125 ml of milk and a normal shot of espresso. Nothing to compare, FORTUNATELY, with those huge cup Americans use to prepare now. Triple shot and 2 300 ml of milk. It will kill me, and I am a coffee and cappuccino lover.

RIght, I was having a good laugh about this channel yesterday. Turns out, it could be my new favorite channel.

I went to a small local osteria in Florence a couple of summers back. The waiter explained to us that you shouldn't drink cappuccino after 11 am, because of the sun in the afternoon. He told us that the heat of the sun can upset the milk in your stomach and make the cappuccino feel heavy on your stomach when walking in the sun during the rest of the day.

James. Maybe you won't see this, but your videos really are good. You're one of my favourite RU-vidrs.

I like the scientific approach, and the hypothesis is very intriguing. However, as an Italian, non-lactose intolerant (pretty much the opposite) my very own explanation is somewhat different, while related to digestion. Breakfast in Italy is generally light and sweet (if any food is eaten at all), so cappuccino can be perfectly suitable. During the rest of the day, however, Italians tend to consume coffee on two different occasions: right after a meal, and during a break at work. Now, espresso is more suitable right after a meal and we all share this experience: bitterness helps better digestion. During coffee breaks you may see Italians drinking cappuccino anyway, but for what concerns me, since I needed "a break", the kick of the espresso is a requirement.

Thanks James I really enjoyed this presentation and your theory to support it

Well done James. Good info, easily presented.

Honestly as an Italian it just feels weird to drink cappuccino in the evening because we usually think of it as something for breakfast. For most of us it's just like the idea of eating cereal for lunch/dinner. It's just...weird.

Your videos are just so engrossing James, I honestly never expected to love them as much as I do now when I first happened upon your channel. The soft speech, the handy and interesting information and the engaging storytelling make for quite an excellent experience.

lighting looks great in this video!

I always learn a great deal from your videos. Thanks James!

Wow I learned so much so fast!! James clearly did his research, and presented it with such fluency. 10/10 thank you James!

Glucose and Galactose sound like a pair of 80s cartoon villains. "Holy Snapping Jacket-Buttons, Batman! Galactose has stolen the Ultimate Space Mallet!"

Excellent video, informative, succint and clear!

This is my favourite kind of Hoffmann's videos. Trivia+science. ❤️

That was so beautifully put, clearly articulated and so a sign of the changing times. Back in the day, some 15-20 years ago I used to sell food intolerance tests.i remember being round at my sister’s house, she was a junior doctor at the time with two house guests who were also both medics. I was asked what I did for a living and upon sharing a couple of stories I was met “Don’t go bringing any of that shit to us mate, we’re gastroenterologists.” So, thank you James for a lovely, simple explanation of a condition most encounter but few understand.

Watching this while my Mexican mother offers me coffee at 8pm

What a beautiful script. Loved this video. Good job.

I learned more in this video than in science class, seriously James, the lenghts you go in your research to explain something like this, is amusing to me (in very very positive way) I am so happy I came accross your channel, thank you for what you do!!

È VITATO, CI SONO DELLE LEGGI, LA NOSTRA COSTITUZIONE PARLA CHIARISSIMO! Seriously, in Italy cappuccino is a breakfast drink, served with a cornetto (croissant) or biscotti (cookies). Your hypothesis about the origin of this tradition is really interesting, but I have a stronger explanation: fresh milk has been delivered in the morning for ages, we gradually developed a habit that became tradition. We also eat tons of cheese.

sensational

Thank you for this excellent presentation! 👏🏼👏🏼

Great video, unsurprisingly! The only thing I'd like to add is that italians love to fancy (?) themselves as extremely delicate and fragile creatures and often end up being too apprehensive towards themselves for some weird reason, and that goes way beyond just cappuccino drinking habits. Must be because growing up there, especially in the south (though nowadays I feel it makes a lot less sense to use this distinction) many "mamme" are often overprotective and children grow up with this idea that anything could potentially hurt/kill them. It's the country with the mildest winters in Europe and yet many are always worried about "colpo di freddo" wich is basically the fear of gettig a cold, even just from a light summer breeze XD. I remember going to the beach there as a child and they would give me or my family weird looks for swimming right after finishing my "panino". Nowadays young people laugh at this things and are becoming cultural memes but many still have this attitude towards life and are pretty vocal about it, wich is even funnier, especially if you consider the fact that all this precautions are taken even by people that are heavy smokers or live a very unhealty life, but when it comes to eating they suddenly become hyper-health conscious. Never ceases to amaze me... :D

The depth and breadth of your knowledge on all subjects related to coffee is incredible.

“Butter eaters of the north and oil eaters of the south” - so mind blown 🤯!

outstanding video with really interesting info. Thank you

I’m grateful for the wonderfully useful content in this video.

My best friend is Italian. I was taught this very important point when I stayed with his family in Reggio di Calabria. Got some very odd looks in the coffee bars when I ordered cappuccino in the afternoon.

My wife, a northern Italian, says this video should be titled,"why southern italians can't handle their milk." They literally eat salami and polenta covered in fresh cream before they go skiing. And cappuccinos ARE much bigger than that in the north.

Makes so much sense.. you always make sense!

That's cool! I never knew those details!

Having lived in Spain for some time the traditions are similar here. Except they have a cafe con leche in the morning and then in the afternoon will go for a cortado or cafe solo (espresso). The reasoning I have heard is that it is heavier and therefore compliments a light breakfast better than a post lunch pick me up. Interestingly, when I lived in Italy the majority of people would actually just drink espressos all day. Even in the morning. Not so many went for the cappuccino. We would meet at the coffee bar before work and choke back an espresso followed by a shot of water and then huddle into the office, but this could have been a time thing I guess

I guess I’m Italian at heart! I’ve been following that rule for a long time, with some exceptions of course! Love coffee and love learning about all aspects of coffee through your channel! ✨

Thank you for this video!

Very nice explanation, James! Much more complex and elaborate than I expected, which was very short-sighted of me of course 😉

My Italian professor in college said he couldn't drink coffee because it made his heart palpitate... he also smoked about 3 packs a day! Allora! 🇮🇹

I want to see James try the Keto diet "Buttered coffee". Should be interesting.

Very nice explanation !

This video taught me so much, both in fundamental knowledge, as well as curious (or general) knowledge, that I am dumbfounded to express it.

Last time I was in Italy I asked a local "If you stop drinking cappuccino after breakfast because of difficulty digesting milk, why is it that you can eat gelato all day long?" She just grinned and, using her hands, gave me the best explanation I ever heard. She said "We do it... because we do it."

Growing up one of my best friends was Italian, the dad explain to me, that the only time they would have cappuccinos is in the morning, because it helpsto fill you up and gives you energy, but for the rest of the day you would drink espresso because you don't need to fill up anymore you just simply want to enjoy the coffee and get the boost that the coffee gets you.

The only person I enjoy watching/hearing ads from!

I love watching your videos and this is a great video as my children and I are lactose intolerant so it was wonderful to learn that but as well!

From a doctor's point of view, that was a very nice review of the basic pathology and epidemiology of lactose malabsorption due to lactase deficiency! Thank you for that and for the beautiful content you create :)

Netflix is gonna pick you up for something some day. Mark my words. You’ve got a vibe for everybody, man. Thanks for even thinking to make this video, didn’t know it was a thing.

I am Scandinavian. Our trad food contains milk and cream. When I grew up, I heard every now and then that Scandinavians were the only culture that wasn't lactose intolerant due drinking milk as a long tradition.

From now on, this will be my reference video for explaining lactose digestion to others. Perfect.

This is making me rethink my decision to have cornflakes at 10pm

James's videos have been one of my favourite things of lockdown.

James has the smoothest transition to the sponser haha, great content, informative ASMR at its finest. PS I recall this behaviour bewildering me last time I was in Italy (Rome). Great Work.

This is genuinely interesting. I didn't know I wanted to know this until I watched it! Bravo

Meanwhile me: Drinks double sized cappuccino at any time of day. Still falls asleep as soon as I hit the bed.

And here I am at 11pm watching this drinking a Latte.

clear and informative. very nice - thx a lot 😀

Arguably one of your best videos James. It was an explanation that filled a real knowledge gap and that I will share with anyone that is interested. Thank you from an Australian born Italian that was ridiculed by his cousins when he ordered a cappuccino in the afternoon when he returned there as an adult.

All I can think of is Anchorman saying “Milk was a baaaaad choice.”

I'm grateful that you made it through the video without saying "fart".

Great video!

The reason is because any authentic Italian coffee bar will have a nonna who milks a cow for each order. Nonna usually takes a late-morning nap around 11 and thus cannot milk any cows. By the time she wakes up (around 12:30-1:00), it's already time for her to start making the Gnocci for dinner.

My guess was that: Milk is collected in the morning, and goes off quickly in hot Italian weather. So they only have milk in the morning while it was still fresh. (Before fridges were common) However I am not a 19th-20th century Italian dairy farmer, so I don't know when they were milking their cows.

Of all my weird little mutations, continuing to produce lactase well into adulthood is far and away my favorite

Really interesting stuff!

Very interesting! But I would like it more with the references and sources to the studies that you mention. I like to check sources, and me being Spanish, I would like to see if there are any results about Spain.

James, you should do a review of different kinds of milk (almond, oat, coconut, etc) and their maridation with coffee!

Thank you James, that's make perfect sense!

Fascinating! Thank you.

For 32 years of my life I'd feel horribly sick every morning. Someone suggested I cut out dairy like yogurt and milk. Bam, gone instantly. Cheapest health fix ever. I hope more people watch this video and don't suffer as I did for so long!