What to do with the water served with hot chocolate in Italy?
I was in Italy recently, and whenever I ordered hot chocolate, it came with a small shot-glass of water. The water appeared to be normal tap water, and wasn't particularly hot or cold. What is one meant to do with the water? Often there wasn't space in the hot chocolate to add water, so I assume it should be drunk, but I'm not sure if you drink it after every sip of hot chocolate to cool your mouth down, or at the end to "clear your palette".
I'm sad that I didn't take a picture of it, because I can't find any pictures of this online, although I ordered hot chocolate 10-12 times and got water with it every time, without exception. The one instance when I didn't, the server appeared with it a few minutes later, while apologizing. I'm not sure if it's limited to Italy, but I did experience this everywhere from Venice, to Florence to Rome.
Best Answer
What is one meant to do with the water? Simply drink it after your coffee (hot chocolate) or if you prefer at the middle of it - it does not have any specific rule: instead it's for your pleasure. Although to my experience they generally come with a sparkling (frizzante /fr?t?zante/) shot of water rather than normal ones.
Beside the points @JoErNanO mentioned in his answer, sparkling water reduces the unpleasant (at least for others) coffee (chocolate) smell from mouth - so is a good idea to drink it at the end -, or as some say protect the esophagus from the acidity of the espresso, it also gives you a fresh feeling.
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Why do Italians serve a glass of water with coffee?
Summary. The habit of serving a glass of water with coffee is increasingly common in the bars of our country. This custom was born in the ancient Italian roasters, where roasters offered water to those who went to visit them to better prepare the palate for the coffee taste.Why do you get a shot of water with coffee?
The purpose of the glass of water is twofold. It cleans the palate before drinking the coffee, allowing you to better enjoy its taste. It also helps compensate for the thirst that usually comes after drinking the coffee (a preemptive measure, if you will).Do Italians drink water with coffee?
- In bars, coffee is often served with a small glass of water; the water is supposed to be drunk first to cleanse the palate. - In some busy bars (especially train stations), you must pay for your coffee upfront at a till and then present your receipt to the barista. - Italians drink coffee regularly in small amounts.Do they serve hot chocolate in Italy?
Hot chocolate in Italy often has an almost pudding-like texture \u2013 lightweight espresso spooons sometimes even stand upright in the cup. Instead of water and powder, it's made with real pieces of chocolate, sugar, and milk. It's melted in special machines that mix the chocolate constantly to avoid burning and lumps.Hot Chocolate Recipe - AMERICAN VS ITALIAN HOT CHOCOLATE
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