When You Order a Cappuccino and Get a Slonz

Navigating Trieste's unique coffee language

Have you ever heard of a city in Italy called Trieste?

If you’re one of the few who said YES, then you already know it’s a stunning coastal city in the northeastern region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

If your answer is NO, don’t worry - it’s not exactly one of Italy’s top tourist spots.

Now, here’s why you might want to add Trieste to your travel list, especially if you’re a coffee lover.

Why?

Because Trieste is Italy’s unofficial espresso capital, with coffee culture rooted in its history since the 1700s.

But hold on … before you go, there’s something you need to know.

Trieste has its own unique coffee language, and without a little prep, you might end up ordering one thing and getting something completely unexpected!

If you order a cappuccino in Trieste, you’ll get a large cup of milk with just a splash of coffee. Locals call this a slonz.

So, how do you ask for the traditional cappuccino that most of the world knows?

You’ll need to ask for a caffellatte.

And if you want a caffellatte like all Italians know it, remember to ask for a slonz.

What about an espresso?

Simply ask for a nero (a black coffee)!

But wait - there’s one type of coffee you absolutely must try as soon as you arrive in Trieste.

It’s the local favorite that people order every day, all day: Capo in B. It’s essentially a mini cappuccino served in a glass (capo comes from cappuccino and in bicchiere means glass).

Fascinating, isn’t it?

This unique coffee terminology reflects Trieste’s rich coffee history.

Oh, and did you know there’s a globally famous coffee brand that’s 100% from Trieste?

But we won’t spoil it for you! 😉