So what is the coffee like in Europe in comparison to the United States?

I don't know what you mean by stronger. I find it has more flavor and some what fresher in that you rarely find brewed coffe that is more common in the US. Generally all coffee is lower in caffeine. And you not get the burnt notes associated with brewed coffee. It tastes more like coffee.

Where in Europe? Lots of countries here.

Coffee in Belgium is disgusting, not much better in France. It's great in Spain, Italy, Austria and Germany. Each cup made to order and usually the beans are ground for each cup. Maybe someone who has been to Poland, Iceland, Portugal, Greece, etc, etc. can add to the list.

Europe is a big place with diverse coffee cultures. You really cant compare a French press to an Italian Espresso, to a Turkish coffee. Just assume it's going to be a lot better than drip coffee.

Starbucks are everywhere in Europe these days so I guess they serve up the same crap they serve everywhere else.

Can you narrow it down? Both US and Europe are pretty diverse - which places are you trying to compare exactly? There are several cities in the US where you can get excellent (and strong coffee) that is no different that in large European cities (for example the brand "Illy"). At the risk of overgeneralizing, you'll find espresso more available and drunk in Europe and the coffee portions are smaller, less expensive, and bolder if you are not used to bold flavors (and no giant cups and sizes like you see in the US with lots of milk, half and half, etc). Unlike being able to customize a half-half-triple-caf-soy-latte at Starbucks like folks often have the latitude to do, I would not ask an Italian barista to make anything to my specifications - they would probably throw me out and feel insulted. Basically, they are well trained and make a hell of a good coffee - no need to tinker with it (customer knows best does not apply here).

At my family's home in Poland, they use a typical Italian coffee maker and Illy coffee. It's not that different than coffee I've had in other European countries (you can make espresso, cappuccino, and other types of coffee with it). On the other hand, I've had coffee in Bosnia that is made completely different and it tastes more like Turkish coffee (from their Ottoman influence) with sediment on the bottom.

OK, I looked back at your other posts and see that you are doing the 21 day Best of Europe next spring so you will have a nice variety of places to try!

I will tell you that the best cappuccino I have ever had was in Monterosso al Mare in the Cinque Terre. It was at the breakfast of the hotel we stayed in on the Heart of Italy tour but that is probably not the hotel you will use for your 2 nights there. I also got used to drinking the little cup of mud espresso shots in Italy and France. Sometimes you have to buy an espresso to be able to use a bathroom facility. All in all it's fun to try the different coffee offerings and to stand at the counter to drink it instead of sitting down.

I don't always drink coffee because I prefer mine with soy milk and that is harder to find. I did drink an excellent soy latte in Haarlem on a morning I was there before the tour started. It was served in a tall glass (kind of hot to the touch!) but was delicious!

My apologies for not being clearer, Frank. Stronger around here means bolder, I am guessing. But as Pam mentioned, we will be going through a bunch of countries (The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France) so it will be most interesting to find out!

I found the word "cappuccino" understood in Germany and France. Always fresh and good. There seems to be good expresso everywhere.

I rarely drink coffee here at home, but enjoy it in Europe, especially in Italy. Espresso is full-flavored, but lower in caffeine than American coffee, and, as someone else mentioned, never tastes burnt. It's usually ground fresh, by the cup. If you order an "Americano," it's watered down espresso. Also be aware that if you order a "latte" in Italy, you'll get milk. For what we call latte, ask for "caffe latte." We've started ordering "caffe macchiato" which is espresso with a splash of hot milk.

Agnes, I was in Poland for some time years ago, and coffee was always served Turkish style, and in glasses. And it was delicious.

One of the big difference I find in European coffee vs American coffee is that in the US you will almost find exclusively 100% Arabica coffee where as in Europe you will most likely be served Robusta/Arabica blends that are more Robusta than Arabica. That and drip coffee is generally not available in Europe, it's all machine made to order by the cup.

The difference between the two coffee varieties and the brewing method explains a lot of what people generally say about coffee in Europe vs America:

• "European coffee is strong" - Yes, the brewing method (machine) and the fact that Robusta beans have less lipids and sugars means coffee is generally brewed stronger.
• "European coffee has higher caffeine" - Again yes, Robusta beans have almost 2x the caffeine content

I think Agnes hit the nail on head with "typical Italian coffee maker and Illy [or similar brand] coffee". This will be 90% of what you will find.

If you do find you like the coffee on your trip and want to recreate it at home I'd suggest purchasing coffee from Amazon (I personally get Lavazza Crema e Aroma) and investing in a full automatic espresso machine. Well worth it IMO.

DJ

Starbucks are everywhere in Europe these days so I guess they serve up
the same crap they serve everywhere else.

Not necessarily? I don't like Starbucks coffee here in the States but that which we had in Paris was much better; it tasted less burnt or something. I should explain that we don't go looking for American brands but we had one very close to our hotel, and it was one of few local places where we could get it to go. It was also PACKED with Parisians ordering their own take-away en route to work. Same in those we stopped into in Belgium and Munich (again, for to-go cups to stay on the move).

As far as I know, though, there are no Starbucks in Italy. Coffee-to-go as we know it is somewhat rare in Italy but daily breaks for a sit-down with a china cup of creamy cappuccino (they are delicious!) has become much-loved routine for us. It's also a good opportunity to use the "facilities" as those can be hard to find. If not a fan of milk in yours nor stronger espresso or regular caffè, you may order up a more watered-down Caffè Americano...although I never have.

I recall once being in Milan one November with day temps below freezing and snow on the ground tremendously looking forward to thawing my numbed hands with a nice cup of coffee and being served this thimble of espresso. Can hardly describe my disappointment.

DJ, thanks for the coffee information. That is very interesting!

Re Starbucks: Yep, I went to Starbucks near my hotel in Paris almost every morning. Yes, it was packed with folks who seemed to be locals. Yes, I got it to go and went to sit on the Champ de Mars to see the Eiffel Tower and people watch. Yes, I could get a 16 oz soy latte. Yes, it was delicious. Yep, I paid between 4-6€ for coffee and a pain au chocolat and they had one of those neat fresh orange juice squeezer machines and it was way cheaper than the hotel breakfast of 9€ or 12€ depending on which hotel I was in.

"French Roast" is about the darkest-roasted, strongest-flavored coffee you'll find. And in much of Europe, you may find that they heat the cream, so it doesn't cool down the coffee when you add it.

Tom_MN's story reminded me of another -- Years ago in Chamonix, Mike, a friend from New York on his first visit to Europe, ordered "a cawfee." He was brought a small espresso. Shocked by its intensity but disappointed by its quantity, he ordered a BIG cawfee. They brought him more, in a large cup. He did this for breakfast and dinner for a week. He was buzzed on caffeine the whole time!

I cannot stand to drink Starbucks in the U.S. But in Paris I loved it. Here it is so bitter... I think they just send the crap to the U.S. And send the good stuff to Paris:)

Tip 1: coffee with milk e.g. Cafe au lait, caffe latte, capucinno are generally considered a breakfast drink by Europeans. When you order a coffee the rest of the day, you will usually get a small cup of strong expresso. Many places will accommodate North American preferences, but understand the cultural difference. You may get a funny look if you order the coffee with milk when it is not morning.

Tip 2: it is common to ask for a glass of water with your expresso, at least in France, where tap water is free. Coffee is a strong diuretic.

Tip 3: If you want your coffee a certain way, Americano with milk and lots of sugar, just go for it. The traditional cafes are competing with lots of Starbucks and they all want your Euros.

No Starbucks in Italy!!

No need for it when you can find good espresso coffees everywhere.

Pam-I agree with the Starbucks! In Paris we found a Starbucks right across the street from out Metro Station and most morning we would get a drink, sit, people watch and plan out our day and see what lines we needed to take that day. It was set up just like the cafes with all the tables and chairs outside and yes it was packed with locals. In Italy we got hooked on cappuccinos and had at least 2 a day. We never drank normal coffee in Italy. I don't like Espresso or Americanos but the cappuccino's always hit the spot. I also loved the fresh orange juice machines found at Starbucks and at the McDonalds we went to at the Florence Airport, need to have those here in the US.

Ooh, yes, Pam! Wonderful pain au chocolat at Starbucks in Paris!

I am not a coffee person, but when in Italy, I do drink espresso and cappuccino. For some reason, it just tastes better!

A good prior discussion from 2 years ago is here at
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/to-the-west/another-coffee-question

The excellent Ron in Rome website has an excellent primer on Italian coffee - at http://www.roninrome.com/shopping-dining/coffee-in-italy

It is just a shame that Ron is not currently in Rome so updates the website much less frequently, and we unfortunately don't see him around this Helpline much any more.

Hi,

To answer your question generally, the coffee is good. The "coffee culture " varies over there from country to country. It all depends on your taste. The absolute best coffee I've had in Europe is in France and Austria. Coffee in Germany is consistently good. That refers to the regular daily coffee, which is served at breakfast in Pensionen, hotels, etc The absolute best espresso is in France. I tried Starbucks once over there, in Berlin, never in France, basically out of philosophical reasons I avoid Starbucks in Europe. When I fly back to SFO, I try bring back a pack 250 or 500 gram of coffee from France or Frankfurt.

I have yet to encounter any bad coffee, though occasionally at a hotel breakfast it's been less than fabulous. My hotel in Krakow had a self-serve espresso machine so that was wonderful. In Warsaw I highly recommend the Caffe Green Nero shops--great coffee and fabulous fresh pastries both sweet and savory. I must admit to being a Starbucks fan and I'm always glad to encounter one on my travels, a bit of the familiar is fine with me though I do seek out local shops whenever possible.

If you want a coffee shop in the UK, go to Costa.

Nicer than Starbucks, pay their taxes, often have a bookshop attached ;-), nice friendly staff, convivial ambiance.

And I am a shareholder in their parent company.... ;-)

Yes, in general it is stronger in Europe.

I prefer Caffe Nero, and I'm not a shareholder in that company.

Actually I really prefer my own coffee at home from Lavazza Rossa beans in my bean to cup machine with a lovely crema just like i get in Roma. I've gone right off paper take away cups.

I remember bring asked in a restaurant in Rome about 20 years ago whether I wanted coffee or American coffee. Asking what the latter was I was told 'coffee and water'. I guess that was to mean an Americano,

My local coffee shop is Lebanese although they do also serve other styles available too. Family run with no outside shareholders ...

Marco, Nigel. Be fair. I need my dividend! It works out as a sandwich and two coffees per year. I think I legally own one of their spoons.

Not seen it mentioned yet, but we saw instant coffee, Nescafe, many places.

We tend to go with the local preference for the most part, Greek Coffee in Greece, a stand up shot in Rome, cafe con leche in Spain,. and so on, despite being a strong black coffee drinker here in the States.

As I was taught, the darker (longer) coffee beans are brewed (as in espresso) the lower the caffeine content. So stronger in body doesn't necessarily mean higher in caffeine.

Correction: I meant "roasted" in the first sentence not "brewed". That is, darker roasts means less caffeine.

At home here in Canada, I drink Tim Hortons or Starbucks dark roast, black. In both Italy and Spain I found ordering a caffe Americano negro at any bar or cafe was similar, but better.

Great coffee and crappy versions are available almost everywhere from my experience. I don't seem to notice a difference as to strength. A superb cup of coffee prepared in Aosta, Italy, is still somewhat fresh in my mind. On the other extreme, there are too many forgettable cups of coffee even from fancy machines and the always dreadful Nescafé on both sides of the Atlantic.

if personally like the coffee in Germany. Very strong, rich. I don't think you could brew American coffee that strong without its being bitter.

I also like the coffee in Belgium. Brussels was my first venue in Europe and, of course, I noticed the strength of the coffee immediately. I do prefer it a little less strong than in Belgium, but Belgium coffee is good, too.

French coffee too "efficient". You get as much caffeine in one thimble size cup as a whole cup in Germany, so it doesn't take long to get your morning fix, but I enjoy the experience of dwelling over a cup of coffee. You don't get to enjoy that in France.

I haven't had breakfast in Italy, but I have had Cappuccino in other countries.

PS: I drink my coffee "black" - no sugar, milk or, cream. To me Starbucks is kind of foo-foo.

sylvia,

As you're going to be in a number of different countries in Europe, you'll find some differences in the coffee as you travel around and each hotel will be slightly different.

Some tour hotels that I've stayed at have provided freshly made Espresso / Americano / Cappucino for each cup at breakfast. A few have drip/filter style coffee makers. Others serve what appears to be instant coffee (which I detest). In some places I've visited, Nescafe Instant is considered a "delicacy", something I've never been able to understand. When travelling in Europe, I normally order Caffé Americano, Espresso if I'm in a hurry and very occasionally a Cappucino at breakfast.

For coffee when touring around on your own, as the others have mentioned there are no Starbucks in Italy, but you will find them in Germany, Switzerland, France and other countries (along with the ubiquitous McDonalds, which are in most if not all countries). Many of the McDonalds have a separate gourmet coffee bar, and the coffee is quite good. In most places in Europe, you won't be getting the "bottomless cup" - you'll be paying for every cup, as each cup will be freshly prepared.

In Italy the best place I've found for coffee is the neighborhood Bars. Customers order at the cash register and then take the receipt to the Barista. The price is less expensive for those willing to stand at the Bar, and more costly for those who sit at a table (especially outside). You may enjoy having a look at this website - http://www.yourguidetoitaly.com/types-of-italian-coffee.html

Every country is different. Why not enjoy what the locals do and skip the so-called "chains"?

Hubby is a 'straight up' coffee person - cream and sugar. No fancy stuff - no cappuccinos, no lattes, no espresso. He had a hard time getting what he would call 'plain' Canadian/American coffee in France and Italy. Usually a café Americano would suffice but even that was too strong for him. He generally would end up at Starbucks or McDonalds (we had one a block away on our last stay in Paris and the coffee got him going - but he still needed to ask for extra milk/creamers). My mom is the same way - black coffee, nothing fancy. When she came with us last year to Italy, she brought Folgers instant packets and had that in the morning.

(I don't do coffee -any version, so I don't have an issue)
Edit to add - I think he actually ordered café au lait at McD's and added the extra creams/milk.

Thank you all so much for all the interesting responses! Sounds like I will be ordering cappuccino's for sure! I like the occasional espresso, but my fiancee claims it turns me into a small engine stuck on high rev. I tend to be quite loquacious, and unfortunately, that just exacerbates it. :-) So I may have to pass on those...

Hi,

On the "bottomless" cup of coffee, you can count on getting that at the Pensionen and hotels at breakfast in Germany where the breakfast is a buffet. Maybe that's to be expected. Either a pot is given to each person (those eating breakfast solo), a party, or a large thermos or two is available on the buffet table. Regardless of how much/little I paid for the room, the coffee is going to be strong, hot, and good.

I heard you're going on a best of Europe tour. When I did that trip, on bus days, I would have just one coffee at breakfast then grab a cappuccino to go at the first rest stop.

In Italy you can order a to go coffee from the counter inside at any restaurant/bar. It's a euro or so cheaper that way than sitting at the table. You can then go sit on a bench somewhere and enjoy it.

You all come visit me in Hawaii and have some 100% Kona Coffee.

Charlie,

I would be happy to have a cup of real Hawaiian coffee with you. It is the only kind I drink now around home since I broke my Starbucks habit. Gives me yet another reason to keep going to Hawaii -- gotta get more coffee! I do prefer Kauai coffee in most cases, but a good small batch Kona is the perfect cup any time of day. Whichever it is, it is always 100% Hawaiian.

Vienna has a whole vocabulary of coffee variations, but what I find interesting is that most of that vocabulary if different in other Austrian cities. In some cities a Verlängerter is a long coffee, in other cities the same word will draw a blank face from the waiter.

If the cities of a relatively small countries have different coffee styles, how you can compare whole continents?

Starbucks is not in Italy (thanks be to God). Cappuccino in Italy is only taken in the afternoon by tourists. If your cappuccino shows up with u requested cocoa on top of the foam, the barista is flirting with you - at least that used to be the case.

So that explains the cocoa in my cappuccino.

Based on my experience in France and Italy.................
If you want what you get at home ask for "Americano" and prepare to be disappointed. If you want to expand your horizons go with a latte or cappuccino in the morning and espresso in the afternoon or evening. I got schooled in Rome when the local guy next to me explained that cappuccino was for breakfast and then argued with the waitress when she brought the espresso before the desert. There are lots of counters where you walk up, order an espresso, drink it and go.

As with all travel, if you look for what is familiar you'll be disappointed. Look for what's different and gain perspective on life.

I've spent some money at home trying to recreate the Euro-coffee experience.

While I'm usually all about 'go local or at least the chain of the country you're in', I will say one nice thing about Starbucks in that you can use your American-based Starbucks app on your smartphone to pay (at a not insane exchange rate, IIRC) in the United Kingdom and Republic or Ireland and you'll also get your 'stars' on the purchase.

So if you're in one of those social circles where the $10 Starbucks GC is the universal small gift that gets passed around, might as well load those up on the app in case you find yourself with a London frappacino emergency. And I think their sandwiches are also a little bit better than the usual UK cellophane wrapped grab-and-go sandwich