Discovering how Italian coffee rituals reshaped our study abroad experience.
Visited on September 17, 2025
Studying abroad is full of surprises, but nothing shocked us more than coffee. Back home, coffee is about size, speed, and convenience: large iced lattes, pumpkin spice, and drive-thru Starbucks orders. In Florence, we quickly learned that coffee is not just a drink, it is a ritual. Our visit to Dini Caffè, one of Florence’s historic roasters, gave us the perfect lens to understand how deeply coffee is tied to Italian life and how it has shaped our own study abroad experience.
The first surprise was size. An Italian espresso comes in a cup that is small, unlike the “venti” cups we are used to from starbucks. Italians believe in savoring intensity rather than stretching caffeine over hours.
Then there’s the timing. Cappuccinos are strictly a breakfast drink, paired with a sweet pastry (cornetto). Ordering one after 11 a.m. will get you looks. For Italians, milk-based drinks are too heavy for the stomach later in the day.
Even where you drink matters. At many bars, you will notice two prices: one for standing at the counter (al banco) and another for sitting at a table. Italians often down their espresso quickly at the bar, turning coffee into a short, but essential pause in their daily rhythm.
Behind the Beans: Our Visit to Dini Caffè
Walking into Dini Caffè’s roastery felt like stepping into the heart of Italian tradition. Founded in Florence, Dini has built its reputation on carefully sourcing beans and roasting them with precision. We had the chance to see the process from bean to cup which reminded us that coffee is not just a beverage, but the result of craftsmanship and culture.
The roastery smelled like coffee grounds with giant machines that roast the beans and package the coffee. Learning about the roasting process gave us a new appreciation for the simple espresso shot that we had tried.
Coffee vs. Study Abroad Habits
At home, we are used to long afternoons camped out in cafés with our laptops opened alongside a coffee. In Florence, that does not exist in the same way. Italian cafés are not designed for lingering and studying, but they are designed for connection.
In Florence, we have noticed how locals exchange quick greetings or simply meet up with others at cafés. Coffee was not about multitasking; it was about presence. For us, that shift has become symbolic of our study abroad experience. We have learned to slow down, pay attention, and embrace moments of pause rather than rushing through our day.
Lessons Learned: More Than Just Coffee
What started as “culture shock” turned into cultural appreciation. Coffee taught us that Italian life values quality over quantity, ritual over convenience, and connection over speed.
For a study abroad student, coffee became our entry point into Florence’s rhythm. Each morning, drinking a cappuccino has shown us that we are a part of something bigger than just having our usual caffeine, it is about joining a tradition that has shaped Italian identity for generations.
Final Reflections
Our time at Dini Caffè has shown us that coffee culture is more than just what is in the cup. It is a story of history, craft, and daily rituals that connect people across Florence. For students studying abroad, embracing these small differences is what makes the experience transformative.
Next time you order a cappuccino in Florence, remember: it is not just breakfast, it is a lesson in slowing down and tasting life differently.
Written by Stephanie Ponce and Amber Parikh