Caffè d'orzo

Caffè d'orzo (pronounced [kafˌfɛ dˈɔrdzo]; Italian for 'barley coffee'), often shortened to simply orzo, is a type of hot drink, originating in Italy.

[1] It is an espresso-style drink, and when prepared from the roasted barley directly, it can easily be made in typical espresso machines and coffeemakers.

Italian families tend, instead, to make it using an orziera, a special moka pot adapted to barley.

During World War II and in the post-war era, caffè d'orzo and chicory became popular substitutes for coffee, which was expensive due to rationing and food shortages.

In European countries with a very long post-war period, like for instance Spain, this image of barley as a cheap surrogate of coffee still remains in the memory of the population.