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Today, FUL (Firenze Urban Lifestyle) published an article dedicated to the Italian ritual of coffee in their online magazine. In the article, they speak to Nora Smahelova, who dispelled some myths about coffee, its consumption, ritual, and oft-misunderstood properties.

Coffee after meals is a tradition in both Italy and beyond, where its stimulating effect is often associated with improved digestion. However, aside from helping us wake up, does it actually help us digest better, or is that just a myth? We asked Nora Smahelova, Coffee Education Leader at Accademia del Caffè Espresso, who clarified that while no proof exists that coffee after meals helps with digestion, it does contain caffeine which helps with post-meal drowsiness.

Coffee has a ritual role, linked to specific times of the day and social interactions. It’s often shared after meals with friends or family, where its bitterness balances out the sweetness of a dessert. Nora suggests that to build a real coffee culture, restaurants should offer a “coffee list” in restaurants, like they do for wine. In line with this, some Micheline starred restaurants have begun to give a coffee menu with detailed options and aromatic profiles from which their guests can choose.

This also helps consumers choose their after-dinner coffee experience, which can depend on personal taste and caffeine tolerance. For examples, Robusta coffee has more caffeine compared to Arabica, affecting the intensity and bitterness of the flavor.