"A coffee please!" - 12 ways you order coffee the right way in France.
Ordering coffee in France? Not that easy. The French simply have a different coffee culture. So you know how to do it right *, here are a few tips.
Coffee, mmmmhhh. This word alone triggers pleasant sensations in me. This scent of childhood, of my grandma, of filter coffee and Mrs. Sommer from the TV commercials. But best of all was this scent that coffee could exude at that time..... even in hallways of apartment buildings, soooo intense and long lasting. Those were the days. But times change and with them drinking and advertising habits. The world doesn't stand still, and drinking coffee or ordering it has become something of a science - anyone who has ever been to Starbucks knows what I'm talking about.
For me, drinking coffee is home, it's Germany - without me always being aware of it. For me, German coffee culture means big cups with handles to warm your hands, sitting in an ice cream parlor, breaks with colleagues, chatting, enjoying a cup at any time of day, "Coffee and a piece of cake, please!" and the so typical: "Outside only in pot!" (Explain that to a foreign tourist.) 😜😜😜
And in France? That's where things look quite different. Their coffee culture is quite different from ours in Germany.
Here are a few basic terms you need to know if you want to order coffee as a traveler in France. (And also get what you imagine...)
12 ways ordering coffee in France
Un café - (a simple coffee)
This is how most people order their coffee. But beware. When you order this way, you get a small cup of very strong coffee. If it goes well it is an espresso. Otherwise, something hot black that is supposed to be an espresso.
You can also say "un espresso" or "un noir". It's all the same. Just remember one thing: "s'il vous plaît", which means "please" 😎
Un double
When you order this, you get the same as above, a strong coffee but just in double quantity and in a bigger cup.
Un serré
This is similar to a ristretto in Italy. Means a short brewed espresso. Small, strong, black. If it is well made... mmmmhh
Un "allongé" or "un américain".
This is an espresso stretched with water.
It is said that after WW2, the American soldiers stationed in Italy found the coffee much too strong. They therefore often asked to be served coffee with a bit hot water so they could dilute it. The name was born: Café americano or in French "café américain".
This coffee is the most similar to German coffee or breakfast coffee in the States.
Café au lait
What cappuccino is to the Italian, café au lait is to the French.
A classic. But like the Italian, the French drink it only once a day, in the morning. This type of coffee is actually only drunk at home in a "bol" (huge cup), big enough to dip the breakfast croissant in.
You can't get it everywhere in the bars. In tourist places the chances are the best.
Un grand/petit crème
If you want a coffee with milk, order it. Usually the amount of milk in it is very small.
Café noisette
Simply an espresso with a bit of milk. Usually it's already in there. Sometimes there is a small jug of milk next to the cup for you to pour yourself.
Un cappuccino
Oh la la. That's one of those things. You may get coffee with whipped cream or just a coffee with foamed milk as hard as construction foam... I absolutely do not recommend it!!!!
Un déca
It simply means decaffeinated. You just add that to your order. No matter which coffee you order. If you just say " un déca" you will get an espresso, decaffeinated.
Café filtre
This is the coffee that we Germans understand by coffee.
But beware: this variant is only available in special coffee shops and roasting houses. You should not even try to order this variant in a normal bar....
Café gourmand
This simply means that you get an espresso (or stretched coffee if you wish) with a small selection of sweets, such as the famous Lyon macarons, madeleines or other yummie cakes.
And when summer comes?...here's my favorite!
Café glacé
Un double espresso or an "allongé" on ice cubes. Pure or with a little milk. It's becoming more and more common, but not yet everywhere. Delicious!!!!
Tip: If you see a coffee shop somewhere in France: Go in, trust and enjoy! Because in such a coffee shop you can be sure that they know what they are doing.....
Why I know that? * I am also a trained Batista 😎... why? I will tell you next time.
Baristas word of honor!!!
Voilà!!!
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