It is a daily routine for
millions of Italians - the morning cup of espresso brewed on the kitchen hob
or downed swiftly in a cafe on the way to work.
But for years their favourite way of kick-starting the day has had a bad
press - most recently when it was reported that doctors had told British
Prime Minister Tony Blair to drink less coffee.
Now it seems the tide is turning.
Forget the scare stories, says dietician Chiara Trombetti, of the Humanitas
Gavazzeni institute in the northern Italian town of Bergamo.
There is sound scientific reason to enjoy your morning espresso without
worrying about the health effects.
Coffee can be good for you - she says - and the stronger, the better.
That is why she recommends an espresso rather than a very un-Italian cup of
instant.
Scientific evidence
Dr Trombetti says she hates the stuff herself - but points to a welter of
scientific evidence to back her case.
Coffee contains tannin and antioxidants, which are good for the heart and
arteries, she says.
It can relieve headaches.
It is good for the liver - and can help prevent cirrhosis and gallstones.
And the caffeine in coffee can reduce the risk of asthma attacks - and help
improve circulation within the heart.
There is no denying that coffee is not for everyone.
If you drink too much it can increase nervousness, and cause rapid heartbeat
and trembling hands.
Pregnant women, heart patients, and anyone with a stomach ulcer are usually
advised to avoid it.
And even Dr Trombetti says no one should drink more than three or four cups
a day.
But there is one group of Italians in particular who might benefit from her
advice.
Many parents might be horrified at the thought.
But Dr Trombetti is adamant that a cup of milky coffee could make the ideal
start for the next generation of coffee lovers - Italy's drowsy school kids
- stimulating their brains ahead of a day that often lasts from 0830 until
1600.