Do they offer Half & Half cream for coffee in Spain

I have my coffee black so I don't take much notice of what is available but I'm pretty certain that you'll only be offered milk. Even in the supermarkets I've never seen Half & Half or anything similar.

Look at the fat content of your Half and Half at home, usually around 8%. Compare that to the milk products they have in Spain. Sometimes you can find similar products in the refrigerated section of a store and sometimes it will be on the open shelves with the unrefrigerated milks. We often set up housekeeping in houses or apartments in European cities and after a few surprises by not reading the language we learned just to look for a similar fat content. HINT: look up the word for fat in Spanish before you go.

I have never seen half and half anywhere in Europe. Due to the warm temperatures, a much greater proportion of the milk sold in Southern Europe is long life rather than fresh milk, although supermarkets do sell fresh milk.

"long life" milk ????

UHT milk, last for about 6 months unrefrigerated.

"long life" milk ????

Also referred to as Parmalat Milk. You can find it at any grocery store anywhere in the world

Milk and cream seem to be particular to individual countries. Go into an English supermarket and you will find a wide range of fresh cream - single, double, thick single, thick double, extra thick double, whipping, clotted, sour and many more. Other European countries don't have this range, and neither do most U.S. supermarkets. You will look in vain for any fresh cream in a Spanish supermarket, although they will have something described as cooking cream, which is long-life.

Those of us who self-cater in different countries are used to the mysteries of what is and is not available, You will not find a bottle of vinaigrette in Spain, while in France there wll be a whole collection, although not all the styles of salad dressing you find in the U.S.

What is "half and half" anyway?

Buy some heavy cream.

Sorry what heavy cream? Also not a term used in Britain and Europe. Though in Guernsey where I am, our milk is so rich you cant buy single cream only double as single is impossible, but double is absolutely delicious I don't know why you would want a lighter version!!!!

Never saw half and half in the 40 days we've Spain. The wife really likes it in her coffee, so she takes Land-o-Lakes Mini Moos. They don't need refrigeration.

"In the UK, they call it half cream. "

Can you name me a British shop which sells "Half cream"? It's not a description I recognise.

I was curious on that too Bob....

Half & Half in the US averages 12% fat while what we call whole milk is around 3.25%. Light cream is around 20% fat.

So either use a light (single?) cream just less of it or whole milk. Some places in Europe the whole milk equivalent seems to have more fat than US milk, at least it tastes creamier, and might work for you.

The only place I have seen Half&Half in the US is Starbucks recently. Most diner type places have the UHT cream in the single serve sealed cups. I know my parents used to keep a small container of Half&Half, but that was 30 years ago and they don't use any creamer in their coffees anymore.

Thanks for all the replies, suggestions and info about milk, cream, single cream, double cream . . . . As far as using the powdered creamer I can't use it because for some reason it really upsets my stomach. I do like the "mini moos" if Half & Half isn't available but unfortunately I'd have to take over 100 of those with me for a 3 week trip because I put 4 in a single cup of coffee! I leave for Spain in the morning so y'all (Southern for You All and pronounced as yawl and stretched out very slowly as you say the word-HeeHee) can stop posting now. Thanks a bunch.

Are you taking a checked bag for that amount of time travel? Is it possible to wrap and take a couple of pints of non dairy creamer? Those can be found in any supermarket here in the States.

Yes, I'm checking a bag plus have a carryon. Starting to pack now and trying to decide what to leave at home. LOL I'll survive somehow without my "H & H." Surely I'll be able to find a substitute over there.

I learned to love cafe con leche in Spain when the hotel self-service machine had that option. Buen viaje!!

Elizabeth, some bars use a "special" milk for their coffee. I asked the guy in the bar by my house, and he doesn't use it, just regular whole milk, but he said that it is called "crema de leche" and it can be found in the supermarkets. If it is half and half level of fat % but it is more than the whole milk.

Thank you Laura B and dlindstrom for injecting a little sense into this kooky discussion!

How many times have the rest of you heard RS give his spiel about being a cultural chameleon -- tea in the UK, beer in Germany, etc. ? Stop expecting to get the same exact items and engage in the same exact habits, which is part of why you're traveling, no?

If you aren't pleased with cafe con leche, do you imagine that no one else in Spain has ever asked for some richer dairy add-in ever before? Describe what you want and they will try to accommodate you -- crema or panna or schlag; ~a little richer~ por favor or some variation -- speak up; it's not a contest. La mitad de crema y mitad de leche is literally half&half -- see what that gets you.