The 11am Cappuccino Rule: Italians avoid milk after breakfast for digestion reasons
Celebrity chef Gino D'Acampo has stunned coffee lovers by declaring that cappuccinos should never be drunk after 11am. He says the rule is about digestion, not just caffeine. "There is a time for cappuccino and espresso," he told followers. "An espresso for an Italian is something that you can drink all day long, especially after dinner or after lunch, or after any meal." The clip has gone viral on TikTok, racking up 2.4 million views as fans debate whether milk should wait. He adds: "Caffeine makes your blood circulation faster, and the faster your blood circulates around the body, the better your digestive system will be, and that's why Italians drink espresso after meals."
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Espresso vs. cappuccino: why timing matters for digestion
The key distinction is milk versus espresso when it comes to digestion. The milk in a cappuccino after a meal goes into your stomach and can slow digestion, potentially counteracting the benefits of espresso. It’s described as the last thing you should do after eating. In contrast, caffeine speeds up blood circulation, which can help digestion when you drink espresso, and Italians traditionally drink it after meals without issue. After breakfast, many Italians switch to lighter, milk-free coffees such as espresso or macchiato.
Online reaction: fans debate timing and dairy in coffee
Not everyone agrees with Gino’s take. "Can't have milk in the coffee after dinner, but a huge Tiramisu? Si! Italians are the best," one commenter joked. "I don't follow rules of any country; I eat and drink what I want, whenever I want. If I want a cappuccino at 5pm, so be it," another argued. "If that's the reason, I guess no cheesecake, ice cream, dairy-based puddings, after a meal either?" a fan asked. The debate mirrors broader questions about how strictly tradition should guide modern eating habits.
A cultural lens: why milk is seen as a breakfast staple in Italy
The rule taps into a deeper Italian belief: milk is primarily a breakfast staple. According to Gino, espresso is consumed at any time of the day because the caffeine helps speed up digestion. Milk-based coffees right after a meal are avoided because they slow digestion. After breakfast, Italians traditionally switch to lighter, milk-free coffees such as espresso or macchiato. D'Acampo, a Neapolitan-born chef who later moved to London, has become a household name for sharing Italy's culinary secrets. He’s set to return to screens in An Italian In Malta, a travelogue exploring the Mediterranean island.
What’s next for Gino: travel, TV, and a mission to share Italian flavors
The chef’s upcoming work includes An Italian In Malta, a travelogue that aims to showcase the country’s cuisine. In an interview with The Mirror, D'Acampo said: "The idea is to show everyone all over the world a bit about the country - I want to find the perfect restaurant, the perfect recipe, the perfect spot. I will speak to the local people, what they cook and how they cooked 200 years ago." He’s also working on an acting project in Ireland. While his coffee timing rule sparked debate, his broader project is a celebration of Italian heritage — one recipe, one story at a time.
