
What is “caffè sospeso”? The Neapolitan tradition of paying it forward
Imagine yourself sipping your decadent coffee in an Italian cafè while people-watching. You overhear a customer asking the barista for two cups of coffee but only receiving one. Despite the situation, he looks content. Brimming with curiosity, you ask the customer why he ordered in this way. He replies that the second coffee is a “sospeso” and not meant for him; it’s for someone less fortunate who may be in need later.