What's the coffee in France like?

Melisandre121 · 29-09-2015 9:29pm #1

I'm going away to the South of France for a few days next week and I just wondered if anyone has tried coffee in France before, and if so how they found it?

Car99 · 29-09-2015 9:31pm

Melisandre121 wrote: »

I'm going away to the South of France for a few days next week and I just wondered if anyone has tried coffee in France before, and if so how they found it?

Tis like coffee European style , not usa style.

Melisandre121 · 29-09-2015 9:57pm

Car99 wrote: »

Tis like coffee European style , not usa style.

What do you mean by European style?

Car99 · 29-09-2015 10:15pm

Melisandre121 wrote: »

What do you mean by European style?

Small and strong with the taste , smell and hit of coffee, not a half litre of milky water with a hint of coffee

P. Breathnach · 30-09-2015 3:35pm

The norm in France is a dark roast arabica, freshly-ground, and served as espresso - except for breakfast, where you might get a large cup of filter coffee.

I usually order a café allongé ("stretched coffee"), where they run more water through and you get a larger, less concentrated drink.

beardybrewer · 30-09-2015 4:04pm

On the continent: espresso is the norm

USA: filtered coffee is the norm

Here: americano is the bastard combination to get you american filtered style but with espresso.

I always enjoy cafe au lait when in France.

Melisandre121 · 02-10-2015 9:20pm

Thanks for the responses on this!

So, if I want a good ole cappuccino what should I be asking for?

P. Breathnach · 02-10-2015 9:26pm

Melisandre121 wrote: »

Thanks for the responses on this!

So, if I want a good ole cappuccino what should I be asking for?

All you need to know (including pronunciation): http://www.commeunefrancaise.com/order-coffee-france-local/

spuddy · 02-10-2015 9:31pm

Melisandre121 wrote: »

Thanks for the responses on this!

So, if I want a good ole cappuccino what should I be asking for?

un cappuccino.

P. Breathnach · 02-10-2015 10:36pm

spuddy wrote: »

un cappuccino.

Un cappuccino, s'il vous plait.

garrixfan · 02-10-2015 10:39pm

Little bit different, tbh I haven't had a great coffee on mainland europe yet. Best I've had is in the dart station up the road from me

antonymin · 02-10-2015 10:44pm

P. Breathnach wrote: »

Un cappuccino, s'il vous plait.

The French are very hot on good manners. Before you ask for a coffee you should say "Bonjour". French coffee is dark roasted, partially burnt and is my favourite as long as it is not adulterated with milk/cream or sugar.

Not G.R · 03-10-2015 12:55pm

French coffee is notoriously awful. Robusta is the bean of choice for the French. I find it thin and harsh. Beans are batch roasted most of the time and to top it off is usually served with UHT milk. Most French people I've talked to say the best coffee in France is Italian. To order it;

'Un Café' is a small espresso usually served with a small glass of water on the side.

'Noisette' is as above but with a tiny droplet of milk. Really popular in the South of France.

'Café Américain' is as above but cut with water this time.

'Café au lait' is served in a bowl with a massive amount of milk. 'Café Creme' is the same but served in a cup.

French people seem to only order coffee with milk in the morning. After that its just espresso or noisette. I've gotten a few funny looks ordering café creme at 4 in the afternoon.

Lucena · 19-10-2015 2:29pm

Living in France and as far as I can tell, it's mostly Arabica that's used. Robusta is very harsh so on the few occasions I've had it, it's very noticeable.

Milk in coffee is definitely a morning thing in France, apparently it's the same in Italy, if you order a cappucino after 11a.m. you're not a local!

What's the coffee in France like?

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