Dubai – Qahwa World
Italian celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo has stirred a wave of debate after posting a video on his social platforms in which he revealed a strict cultural rule about cappuccino. According to D’Acampo, the drink should never be consumed after 11 a.m., a tradition deeply ingrained in Italian coffee culture, while espresso remains the drink of choice throughout the day.
In the video titled “How to be a Proper Italian with Gino: When should you drink Cappuccino or Espresso?” he explained that there is a time for cappuccino and a time for espresso, and it is not as flexible as people outside Italy may assume. Espresso, he said, can be enjoyed any time, especially after lunch or dinner, because it helps stimulate blood circulation and aids digestion. Cappuccino, however, is an entirely different story.
Based on milk, the drink becomes heavy when consumed after meals, slowing down the digestive process rather than helping it. “Once it’s 11 o’clock, I’m done with cappuccino,” D’Acampo insisted. “I won’t drink it after that.
It’s not something Italians do. Milk after a meal is the last thing your body needs, while caffeine does the opposite and speeds up your system.”
His comments sparked a strong reaction online. The video quickly gained millions of views and triggered wide discussions among coffee lovers worldwide.
Some saw his declaration as a glimpse into the unique Italian approach to food and lifestyle, emphasizing balance, moderation, and cultural identity.
Others mocked the rule with comments like, “So milk after dinner is forbidden, but tiramisu with cream is allowed,” while many insisted that they would continue drinking whatever coffee they wanted, whenever they wanted.
Still, a significant number of viewers acknowledged that these traditions are what make Italy’s coffee culture distinctive and that experiencing coffee in Italy is as much about respecting these unwritten rules as it is about taste itself. D’Acampo, who was born in Naples and is now based in London, is well known for his humorous style and his efforts to share Italian culinary secrets with a global audience.
His remarks this time went beyond nutrition to highlight how Italians view coffee not only as a beverage but as a way of life, with strict rituals and timing that connect to health and social customs.
He reminded his audience that while cappuccino is perfect in the morning alongside a pastry, the rest of the day belongs to espresso, which Italians consume quickly at the bar, often standing, in a tradition that values efficiency and rhythm over size and variety.
The debate also underscores the tension between Italian authenticity and globalization. In places like the United States or the United Kingdom, coffee culture embraces oversized lattes, frappuccinos, and cappuccinos at any time of day.
In Italy, by contrast, the rules are precise: cappuccino before noon, espresso afterward, and rarely anything else. These rules may appear restrictive to outsiders, but for Italians they are a reflection of food wisdom passed down over generations. D’Acampo’s firm stance reflects this heritage.
While announcing that he will soon return with a new television program titled “Italian in Malta” and a separate acting project in Ireland, he reminded viewers that his greatest passion will always remain food.
For him, coffee etiquette is inseparable from Italian culinary identity, and ignoring it is to miss the essence of what it means to drink coffee like an Italian. His viral statement has reignited a timeless conversation about coffee: is it about following traditions and respecting cultural norms, or is it about personal freedom and preference? For Italians, the answer remains clear—cappuccino belongs to the morning, and once the clock strikes 11, it is espresso’s turn to reign.
