Coffee in Spain
 

I know different countries prefer their coffee different ways. I usually think it is too strong. How do you ask for "American" coffee (black or with cream/milk) in Spain?

Cafe con Leche is delicious. It is made of hot milk and coffee. The very often put the hot milk on the table for you if you have several people.

I have no idea what cafe americano is, they do hear that there though, I suspect it is diluted coffee, or just extra water.

I LOVE the coffee in Spain and "cafe solo" (black cofee) is some how strong without the bitterness....delish!

Have a great trip.

Cafe con leche, better than any coffee I've had in the US, each one made individually in a Cappucino machine, better than Starbucks. One of the things I miss about Spain.

I found these notes, hope they help.

Coffee 
The Spanish love strong coffee at all hours and there are many options.

Café solo is black coffee much like espresso.
Café con leche is coffee with hot milk, about half of each.
Café cortado is coffee with just a bit of hot milk.
Café manchado is hot milk with a bit of coffee.
Café con hielo is iced coffee, hot coffee served with a glass of ice.
Carajillo is coffee that is spiked with brandy or whiskey.

Decaffinated coffee is referred to as café descafeinado.
You may be asked if "de sobre" is acceptable which refers to a sachet or bag of decaf. While café estilo Americano may be offered it may just really be watered down coffee.


Tea 
Hot tea is readily available and served in a variety of ways, but usually the Spaniards drink it black. Té negro (black tea), manzanilla (chamomile tea), menta (Mint ) are common varieties. Iced tea is not a common drink in Spain however if you do manage it, will likely be served similarly to iced coffee, served hot and accompanied with a glass of ice.

Chocolate (chocolate) is a very popular drink after a night on the town or for breakfast. Spanish hot chocolate is very thick and always accompanies churros. There are some brands like Cola Cao that are thinner.

Ask for "un americano", and that's it.

Having a café con leche in Spain is like you died and went to Heaven! It is a treat.

I have ordered chocolate during the day; it was served without churros. The Madrid cafe /restaurant had a list of different chocolates to choose from... fantastic.

Funny Joslele, hope all is well? Frankly the coffee is just the tip of the iceberg, as you well know.

IMHO coffee in the US is usually way too weak - esp if you add milk or cream - yet is still somehow bitter. In much of the world coffee is more substantial - but not bitter (I suspect better beans that are not over-roasted and are ground daily.) I would ask for extra hot water with your coffee if you like it very weak.

Ask for "un americano", and that's it.

But be careful, My wife did and wound up with me.

I do not drink coffee but my wife does and loves Spanish coffee not only because of its srtength but because of the flavor.
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AMSDON

I always thought un cortado was also smaller in size.
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I am, however, not a big fan of the chocolate that accompanies churros. I find it a bit coarse.

Un cortado is an expresso, (small cup) with a tad milk.

Depending on the americano coffee you are given, (still too strong for many) the above suggestion of additional agua caliente is a good idea.

Un americano con POCO cafe, y mucho agua , por favor.

But do try café con leche (if you drink coffee at home with cream or milk). It is lovely. Do not be afraid to ask for more leche if you still find it too strong.

"light/weak" café con leche would be "cafe con leche, corto ( little) de café, por favor".

Just go to a Starbucks when you are in say Madrid.
I must be living the dream having all of this Spanish coffee around me everyday!

cafe con leche is the best coffee I can imagine... a strong coffee with hot milk. Perfect.

Just a bit of a correction... a café americano is not american-style drip coffee or, generally, watered down Spanish coffee. It's a long pull, which means it's an espresso with roughly twice as much water pushed through. It's still quite strong with an espresso flavor. A (café) mediano is halfway between a café americano and a café solo (an espresso). A cortado is café solo with a small amount of milk. A café con leche is an espresso with large amount of milk--usually only for breakfast, but you can order it anytime. You an always specify the type of cup or glass you want it served in and also the temperature of the milk (fría, templada, caliente).

You might like café con hielo... iced coffee. It seems like a better way to water it down.

Un americano..If it's not watered down Spanish coffee.. I don't now what it is?.

"Café ( any type) del tiempo" will be brought to you with a glass of ice.. be prepared for an extra 10-20 more for the ice in many places.

If you do go to Starbucks be even more careful of your belongings there as it is a favorite place for professional thieves. They lounge around and just wait for you to relax. I have heard of too many Starbucks robbery stories.

Also, some regions seem to use a different sized cup for certain coffees.. if you want a BIG cup you might need to specify ( or even be asked) "de desayuno" to get it.I live here and have for 40 years, and have still been surprised at how some things one takes for granted ( a café con leche cup size) can change as you go across regional borders!

This coffee question is similar to how i need to teach my USA bound traveling students how to ask for "Fried eggs".

Sounds simple. In Spain, a fried egg is a fried egg.

But in the states, when they are asked how they want their eggs fried.. it can cause total perplexity if they have not been informed previously of the options!

Ha! true. The eggs thing that is. I am still learning it.

As for Starbucks in Spain? Why would anyone go there with all the wonderful tasing coffee available?

Better yet a cafe con leche or cafe solo with little pastry from Mallorquina gazing out from the upper balcony at the passerby...

Starbucks IS popular, even with locals, for the atmosphere in their cafés. The sofas, the lounge feeling.. not found anywhere else. i have not been to one here yet.. but did have an interesting pumpkin latte or similar drink one Thanksgiving in Cincinnati I thought was ALMOST worth the three bucks it cost.

Starbucks was our haven in Seville because of the air conditioning.

I feel the same about Starbucks, but if someone wants the flavour of home...I just thought!!!
They seem to be quite busy in Madrid. But I did not go an do a survey of their customers.

How do you ask for "American" coffee (black or with cream/milk) in Spain?

"Un cafe muy flojo, sin sabor...como el agua de la lavavajilla"

LOL.. shame on you :-)
I just hope that no one tries that for real :-)

By the way.. if coffee is too strong, you want something cold, and you don't want a no fat soy double decaf frappuccino from the famous chain you should sample the horchata/orxata when your travels lead you to Barcelona, Valencia, or in between. I can't remember if it's likewise popular in other parts of Spain.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horchata

we were told to ask for a "bon bon" in Spain - when we did there seemed to be much joy that we had asked for one :)

I'm still not exactly sure what kind of coffee it was but it was strong and sweet - I think it had condensed milk in it. Does anyone know what a bon bon is supposed to be?

you've got it exactly right. This is actually the drink most girls have when they are trying to acquire a taste for coffee but really don't like it. No one can resist it!

OMG, now I can't stop thinking about a café bonbón!! I had never heard of it but it sounds scrumptious. Is it well known in Madrid, or is it a specialty of certain areas?

Found all over. It comes in a small glass glass.. looks real pretty as they serve it to you with the condensed milk on bottom, then 2/3 espresso on top.. and YOU stir it up.

Some places have reverted to the pre- packaged c. milk that you squeeze out of a plastic sleeve. Not nearly as nice as being given the bi-color drink in a transparent shot glass.

For a photo of a Café Bombón. See this thread. Photo is second but last.
http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a...m/179003240001

Is that sweetened condensed milk???? HMM yum....

>lincasanova
"This is actually the drink most girls have when they are trying to acquire a taste for coffee but really don't like it."

ha ha - now it makes sense as to why the gas station lady was so pleased when my dad ordered one! that's cute ;)