The warm tradition of ‘suspended coffee’

In Italy’s Naples, coffee is more than just a drink – it’s a gesture of kindness, a small act that carries with it a legacy of generosity. One of the most cherished Neapolitan traditions is the “caffè sospeso,” or suspended coffee, also called ‘hanging coffee’ or ‘pending coffee’. This unique custom allows a person to enjoy their coffee while also paying for a second or more cups, which are then given to someone in need.

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The origins of the suspended coffee tradition are said to trace back to the working-class cafés of Naples during the hardships of World War II. As people struggled through difficult times, they found solace in solidarity. The idea was simple: when someone was feeling fortunate, they would pay for an extra coffee, which the café would offer to someone less fortunate later in the day. This wasn’t seen as charity, but as an anonymous act of sharing – a small pleasure extended to a stranger.

Over the years, the tradition has evolved and spread beyond Naples, even being revived during the 2008 global recession. In 2010, the historic Gambrinus Café in Naples reinstated the practice in celebration of its 150th anniversary. Soon after, coffee shops across Italy and other countries began adopting this heartening gesture. In 2013, Starbucks in the UK joined in, donating to charity for every suspended coffee purchased.

As Luciano De Crescenzo, the Neapolitan writer who immortalised this tradition in his book Suspended Coffee: Daily Wisdom in Small Sips explained, “When someone is happy in Naples, instead of paying a cup of coffee for himself, he just pays another one for someone else; it’s like offering a cup of coffee to the rest of the world.”

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Some restaurants around the world have extended this tradition beyond just coffee, offering meals paid for in advance. In any case, this tradition offers a glimpse into human nature, showing how even the simplest act can create a shared moment of joy, even with a stranger.