Coffee in Spain by Marcliff

Coffee in Spain

by marcliff

We had some visitors over recently and they were bemused (probably better would be fascinated) about the coffees they saw in some of the cafes. I explained a few of them and thought it might be an idea to point out some of the popular ones to our newer residents.
Spanish coffee is one of the great reason for being here. If you like to wake up with an instant one in a mug then read no further.
The coffees you buy in supermarkets can be great. Look at the back of the packet and it will tell you how strong it is (normally on a scale of 1 to 8 but can differ, 8 being the strongest). Some are mixed blends, some pure Arabica or Moca. All very nice and are great in a caffetiere or through an espresso machine(if putting it in an espresso machine, the more you compact it then the stronger it will be) . If you use a filter coffee maker then look for cafe filtro as it's a bit grainier

Now, in a cafe.
The basic coffee is un cafe solo. A straight, espresso coffee and normally served in a small cup. If you want more, order un solo doble. Gives you twice as much. If this is a bit strong, take a cafe Americano, this is a shot of espresso but with more water added. If you take milk, order it as un Americano con leche.
The most popular coffee is cafe con leche. Simply, coffee with milk but is a shot of espresso with a shot of steamed milk on top so normally half and half.
If you don't like it so milky then un cafe cortado (literally a short one but it applies to the milk rather than the coffee) and you get 2/3 coffee with 1/3 milk (this is my favourite but I, again, ask for un cafe cortado doble - I then get a double size). Again, if you like it a bit more milky then un cafe manchada is a 1/3 coffee to 2/3 milk (or sometimes just a cup of steamed milk with a splash of coffee on the top).
Feeling adventurous? Cafe Carajillo is a cafe solo with a shot of brandy (or whisky or rum if you prefer). The same thing with bit of milk in it is a cafe Trifasico (they serve that a lot in Barcelona).
Cafe Bombon is a cafe solo with sweetened condensed milk. Often served in a glass rather than a cup. With non-sweetened condensed milk it is a cafe caramel.
You may see a glass of coffee with whipped cream on the top (the stuff out of a can). This is a cafe Suizo.

Of course, this is not a complete list and some of them leave me baffled. Others, like cafe con hielo (iced coffee) seem popular in the summer.
One thing I have noticed is that, in cafes, a decaf (descafeinado) coffee is not always available. The only time a friend of mine asked for one he got a cup of hot water and a sachet of instant decaf.

Whichever, enjoy as there are some really great coffees here in Spain.