I am not a coffee drinker but often buy coffee for houseguests (and yes, I drink it too in those cases). I like the store brands (Monoprix, Franprix) but always go looking to things that would not be found in certain other countries -- for example <i> Café de Cuba. </i>

I'm finding it more and more difficult to find good tea, either at the supermarket or in a restaurant. In Italy, you're usually brought a cup of tepid water and a tea bag on the side, which won't even make anything as strong as Dutch tea.

My family was Irish, and even the idea of a tea bag was anathema to my parents, although they capitulated sometime in the 1980s. The tea had to be measured into a scalded pot, one spoon for each cup, and one for the pot. <b>Boiling</b> water had to be poured over it, and the pot had to be kept warm (tea cozies, anyone?) until the tea was ready. We had good water, and Irish friends of ours who lived in Philadelphia (where the water was heavily chlorinated) used to bring jugs when they came to visit us so that they could bring some of our water home with them.

We drank tea after every meal, plus a cup mid-morning and mid-afternoon, and another just before going to bed. I originally began drinking coffee to have something I could accept when eating out, because I didn't think I'd be so exigent about how it was made. However, I've become rather intolerant of bad coffee also.

I once saw an Italian lady make tea for five people with a single tea bag.

The tea had to be measured into a scalded pot, one spoon for each cup, and one for the pot. Boiling water had to be poured over it, and the pot had to be kept warm (tea cozies, anyone?) until the tea was ready.>>

of course, a tea cosy, bvl, AND loose tea, [one spoon per person] AND water freshly drawn from our well. [though it is pumped up electronically rather than having a small boy doing it by hand which I'm sure would make it taste even better!] We drink it in the morning before we get up [with the help of our trusty teas maid], half way through the morning and in the afternoon at about 4pm. We drink coffee as well, mainly after meals but not always. There is a stall in Truro market which supplies not only coffee beans but also lots of loose teas so we are spoilt for choice!

Talk about off topic! The subject is coffee!

goodness me, a fodors topic which has strayed from the point.

Quelle horreur.

If all else fails, and you simply cannot make up your mind about which coffee to buy, there are currently 47 Starbucks outlets in Paris, with more opening all the time. Tea is also available there.

Well, this turned into much more information than I had anticipated. I am Canadian, and tea was very much a part of my upbringing. As much as I enjoy a good cuppa, nothing takes the place of coffee in the morning (for me, that is). And not being a Starbucks fan was one reason I asked for a coffee recommendation. With all your good suggestions, I will be fortified each morning. Thanks.

I was just joking about Starbucks - most of us never set foot in that place!

I am glad to see the return of Pepper von Snoot.

OP, where are you from?

Coffee, an interesting thread.

Last time I bought coffe was 'café grand-mère', en grains.

What else ?

As for tea, I buy 'Kusmi tea' - several shops around, one on Champs Elysees.

I buy Hediard when in Paris. I have found it in department stores, it is really good. Treat yourself...

Most of the French who regularly buy coffee, unless they are already using capsule machines, tend to think that Carte Noire is one of the best brands.

I will probably give Carte Noire a try. Must nicer to have a couple of recommendations than go blindly into a store not knowing what to choose. A good cup of coffee in the morning is something my body requires!!

Sparkchaser - I was born and raised in Canada (BC), but now live in western Washington state.

Actually, Carte Noire is available in capsule form - look for "dosettes". Most other coffee brands are going in the same direction - unfortunately.
If you don't want capsules, make sure to choose "cafe moulu" instead of "cafe en grains" - I made this mistake early on, it's a little difficult to see the fine print on the labels.

Thanks, fuzzbucket - never heard of capsule form, so happy to know the interpretation of the descriptive language.

I was at the Carrefour hypermarket in Aubervilliers today and it has a complete double aisle of nothing but coffee. Capsules on one side, ground coffee on the other, clearly labelled.

This is nothing compared to Belgium, though. There, they have divisions for "breakfast coffee" and "evening coffee" in addition to the formats.

Aubervilliers.
My dream.
I slept twice in the victor Hugo close to pont de Stains.
Felt like holiday.