Why Italians Don't Drink a Cappuccino After 11am

Summary

In Italy, coffee culture is deeply ingrained, with unwritten rules, one of which is never to order a cappuccino after 11 AM. This practice is linked to the fact that many Italians are lactose malabsorbers, meaning they can't properly digest lactose, causing discomfort. While a small cappuccino typically won't cause issues, the cultural norm aims to balance enjoying coffee with better digestion. This video explores the science behind lactose digestion, the historical and cultural factors influencing this habit, and how it connects to Italy’s approach to food and health, alongside a sponsor message for Surfshark VPN.

Takeaways

• 😀 Coffee culture is deeply embedded in Italian life, with strong traditions around espresso and cappuccino.
• 😀 There is a widely observed unwritten rule in Italy: never drink cappuccino after 11 a.m.
• 😀 The reason for the 'no cappuccino after 11' rule is largely tied to digestion and lactose intolerance.
• 😀 Lactose malabsorption, not intolerance, is the proper term for the inability to digest lactose in many adults.
• 😀 Around 65% of the global population is lactose malabsorber, with strong geographical variations in prevalence.
• 😀 Lactase is the enzyme needed to break down lactose, and most mammals stop producing it after infancy, except humans.
• 😀 Unlike other mammals, humans continue to drink milk and are often lactose malabsorbers as adults.
• 😀 Italians, particularly in the north, are more tolerant of lactose, but the tradition of limiting milk-based drinks like cappuccino after 11 a.m. persists.
• 😀 Drinking a small amount of milk, such as in a cappuccino, typically doesn't cause issues unless one is highly sensitive to lactose.
• 😀 The 11 a.m. cappuccino rule may also be related to the cultural understanding of sleep and digestion, offering a balance between indulgence and health.
• 😀 In Italy, people with lactose malabsorption can enjoy milk-based coffee drinks as long as they limit consumption and avoid large quantities.

Q & A

Why do Italians avoid cappuccinos after 11 AM?

Italians avoid cappuccinos after 11 AM primarily due to concerns about digestion. Most Italians are lactose malabsorbers, meaning they have difficulty digesting lactose. Drinking milk after a certain time could cause discomfort, and Italians prefer to have their cappuccino in the morning when the digestive system is more capable of handling dairy.

What is lactose malabsorption, and how does it differ from lactose intolerance?

Lactose malabsorption refers to the body's reduced ability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk. It is different from lactose intolerance, which involves symptoms like bloating and diarrhea due to the undigested lactose fermenting in the gut. Lactose malabsorption is a broader term and more scientifically accurate.

How is lactose digested in the body?

Lactose is a disaccharide sugar made up of glucose and galactose. To digest lactose, the body needs an enzyme called lactase, which breaks the bond between these two sugars. However, after infancy, many humans stop producing lactase, leading to lactose malabsorption in adulthood.

What is the difference between lactose and sucrose in terms of sweetness?

Lactose is much less sweet than sucrose (table sugar). On a sweetness scale where sucrose is rated as 1, lactose is only rated at 0.16. This means it would take six times as much lactose to achieve the same level of sweetness as a small amount of sucrose.

Why do some populations have higher tolerance to lactose than others?

Geographic and environmental factors play a role in lactose tolerance. Populations in cooler climates tend to consume more unprocessed dairy products, which might have led to an adaptation for higher lactose tolerance. In contrast, warmer climates often rely on fermented dairy products that are lower in lactose.

Why is cheese more tolerated than milk in many cultures?

Cheese is more tolerated than milk because it undergoes fermentation, which breaks down much of the lactose. Hard cheeses, in particular, have significantly lower levels of lactose than milk, making them easier to digest for people with lactose malabsorption.

What does the geographical split between northern and southern Italy suggest about lactose tolerance?

There is a notable variation in lactose tolerance within Italy. In the cooler northern regions, people tend to have more tolerance for lactose, likely due to their higher consumption of dairy products. In contrast, the southern regions of Italy show higher rates of lactose malabsorption.

How does the size of a cappuccino in Italy relate to lactose digestion?

A typical Italian cappuccino is small, usually containing about 100 ml of milk. This small amount of milk is less likely to cause digestive discomfort for most people, even those who are lactose malabsorbers. It strikes a balance between enjoying a comforting coffee and avoiding digestive issues.

How does climate influence dairy consumption and lactose tolerance?

Cooler climates, where dairy products can be preserved more easily, typically have populations that consume more unprocessed dairy. In contrast, warmer climates have traditionally relied on fermented dairy products like yogurt and cheese, which are lower in lactose, leading to variations in lactose tolerance.

What role does digestion play in Italian coffee culture?

Italian coffee culture is deeply tied to digestion, with a focus on having coffee at times that support the best digestive experience. For example, cappuccinos are traditionally consumed in the morning, ensuring that people can enjoy their coffee without upsetting their stomach later in the day.