Coffee lovers should be prepared to brace themselves, as an Italian coffee expert has revealed how they could be drinking the beloved beverage wrong.
The popular drink is often at the forefront of many peoples’ minds, with one in five Brits finding a coffee before unpacking their suitcase when they arrive at their destination, according to GetYourGuide.
Four out of ten coffee fans even let it influence what location they go to, instead of ‘bar and clubs’ and ‘choices of bakeries’.
However, despite being passionate about the beverage, there are plenty of things Brits do that can apparently ruin their coffee experience.
And Matteo Di Lorenzo, 34, who co-owns Sensorio Coffee Lab and hosts a Specialty Coffee Workshop & Tasting Experience in Rome, has revealed the biggest mistakes Brits make when it comes to their brew – with one of the worst being the temperature it’s drunk at.
‘The UK is the worst for extra-hot coffee,’ he says. ‘If your coffee is above 70C, you scald the coffee and it becomes very bitter.
‘The milk becomes dehydrated and releases more lactose. When combined, it’s a very bad mix for your belly.
‘Basically, you’re making it undrinkable — you’ll be running to the toilet!’
Matteo Di Lorenzo, 34, co-owns Sensorio Coffee Lab and has explained why the temperature of a cup of coffee matters
However, for Matteo, the biggest mistake Brits make when they order their coffee is ‘avoiding cow’s milk’.
He says, ‘When I was a barista in the UK, everyone was suddenly drinking plant-based milk.
‘I don’t understand it, maybe because I’m a pure coffee lover, but most of the flavours just don’t match well.’
Matteo is also against adding syrup to alter the taste of the drink.
‘Coffee doesn’t need balancing with sweetness, it’s like adding more sugar to a pack of sugar,’ he argues.
The time of the day matters too, according to the expert, and he advises double espressos for the mornings, rather than filter coffee.
Lunchtime is perfect for ‘a strong Brazilian coffee’ which is a great option ‘for cleansing your palate’.
Meanwhile, cappuccinos are a no go in the afternoon in Italy.
However, for Matteo, the biggest mistake Brits make when they order their coffee is ‘avoiding cow’s milk’
He says, ‘There’s an unwritten rule in Italy that we don’t drink cappuccinos in the afternoon, but now many locals are coming in here after 3 PM for cappuccinos too.
‘They know I’m not going to judge them!’
As for instant coffee, Matteo advises just drinking ‘something else’ instead.
The expert explains, ‘Ground coffee can only survive a few minutes without oxygen, so there are a lot of chemicals used to preserve instant coffee. But we will find a solution one day!’
