Coffee is an important part of Italian culture and since arriving here over six months ago, I have drunk a lot of it!
Of course, coffee is also very popular in the UK but coffee culture in Italy is a completely different story. In Italy, when you order a coffee in a café or bar(酒吧), you are served with a tiny, bitter espresso. This is “normal(正常的) coffee” for Italians and they are not so interested in the huge coffees that we drink in the UK. If you want more than one sip(小口) of coffee in Italy, lungo is a good choice. It is espresso with a little more water added, but still served in a small cup. In addition, while takeaway coffee is quite popular among Brits, it is not very common at all in Italy, especially in nontouristy areas. Generally, Italians prefer to drink their tiny coffees while standing at the bar and, for many, this short break is an important part of their day.
Usually, breakfast in a bar in Italy includes a coffee and a pastry(酥皮糕点)．I have been spoiled for choice with lovely cafés in the Italian town I'm living in. These cafés sell different kinds of mouth－watering pastries—either plain(无馅料的) or filled with cream, chocolate, etc.—as well as delicious coffee. Cappuccinos are very popular at breakfast time and, for me, a creamy cappuccino and a pastry with chocolate is the perfect way to start the day.
Finally, I have found that coffee in Italy is so much cheaper than coffee in the UK. Normally, an espresso or a macchiato (an espresso with a drop of milk) costs around a euro and a cappuccino about 
1.50！They are small, of course, but this means that in Italy it is possible to go out for coffee every day without breaking the bank.
