In Italy, the cappuccino is fundamentally a breakfast drink. It’s considered a substantial beverage due to its milk content, making it perfect for starting the day alongside a cornetto (croissant) or other sweet pastry.
The primary reason behind the 11 AM rule is digestive health. Italians believe that consuming a large quantity of milk after a meal, or late in the day, can interfere with digestion. The milk and foam are perceived as difficult for the stomach to process, especially when combined with other foods.
Therefore, having a cappuccino later in the day, particularly after lunch or dinner, is thought to lead to indigestion or a feeling of heaviness.
