How to drink coffee
For those who enjoy coffee, the rules of etiquette recommend holding the saucer in the left hand, stirring the drink with the right hand, picking up the cup by the handle between the thumb and index finger of the right hand and moving the spoon up and down rather than in a circular motion. It is also important to know what not to do! For example, never place the spoon in your mouth, raise your little finger while drinking, swirl the coffee cup in a circular manner when you get to the last of the coffee, or leave the spoon in the cup instead of replacing it on the right side of the saucer.
Giuseppe De Nittis, Breakfast in the Garden, 1883, detail. Barletta, Pinacoteca Giuseppe De Nittis
Carlo Alessi for Alessi, Bombé tea and coffee set, 1945
Top: Giuseppe Tominz, Three Ladies of the Moscon Family, 1829, detail. Ljubljana, National Gallery of Slovenia
While coffee can be served directly from the coffee maker in informal situations, in other cases it is advisable to use a pot that may be made from ceramic or porcelain, like the rest of the set, or from silver, copper or steel. Whatever the material, the container must be heated with hot water so that the coffee does not cool down before being served. It is best served in the parlour, not at the table.
The proper thing to do is to pour the coffee into the cups in front of guests, after asking whether they would like sugar. They can be offered white or brown sugar, perhaps in sticks, or in classic and flavoured lumps.
The sugar spoon is "shovel" shaped. There should also be a small jug on the tray containing cold or lukewarm milk or, for those who prefer it, very fresh liquid cream.
