Coffee in Portugal
The espresso coffee is an integral part of the portuguese culture, now considered a national gastronomic product. It is a distinctive coffee with its own unique characteristics, recognized both nationally and internationally as a specific and differentiated product.
It is a beverage obtained through an espresso machine, using a blend of roasted coffee, with an average volume between 35 ml ± 5 ml and a hazelnut-colored, dense, and persistent cream.
Portuguese coffee typically combines coffee from different origins, creating what is known as “blends.” The roasting process in Portugal is generally less intense compared to the dark roasting used in other countries, giving it less acidity and more aroma, body, and sweetness.
Coffee Consumption in Portugal
80% of Portuguese people consume coffee daily and prefer to do so in the form of “espresso.”
On average, each Portuguese person drinks about 2.5 cups of coffee per day, corresponding to an average national coffee consumption of 5 kg per person per year.
While in the rest of Europe, only 20% of coffee consumption occurs outside the home and 80% is consumed at home, in Portugal, this trend is reversed – our consumption is primarily outside the home!
Per capita coffee consumption in Portugal seems low compared to the rest of Europe because here, Espresso (smaller servings) is more commonly consumed, whereas outside Portugal, coffee is generally consumed in larger quantities, such as drip or filter coffee.
Regarding the number of coffee-selling establishments, Portugal has approximately one establishment for every 160 inhabitants, while the European average is around 400 inhabitants. In other words, we have the habit of drinking coffee on the go. Drinking coffee for us is more than just consuming a simple beverage; it’s a social activity, a way to see friends and socialize!
Types of coffee
If you are in Portugal and you don´t know how to order a coffee the way you like, find in the list below your favourite.
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| ‘Café’, ‘Expresso’, ‘Cimbalino’ (North), ‘Bica’ (South) | Normal espresso |
| ‘Descafeinado’ | Normal decaf espresso. |
| ‘Carioca (de café)’ | It´s a second espresso, made with the same ground coffee. The result is a cup with lighter, watery and very weak coffee. |
| ‘Café pingado’ | Normal espresso with a drop of cold milk. |
| ‘Pingo’ (North), ‘Garoto’ (South) | Short espresso filled with milk or milk foam. |
| ‘Café cortado’ | Normal espresso with steamed milk. |
| ‘Café duplo’ | Two espressos in a big cup. |
| ‘Abatanado’ | Normal espresso made in a big cup. Similar to a Americano. |
| ‘Meia de leite’ | Normal espresso with milk in a big cup |
| ‘Galão’ | Normal espresso with milk in a glass |
We can also take in consideration some variations when ordering.
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| ‘Café curto’, ‘Italiana’ | Short espresso. |
| ‘Café cheio’ | Long espresso. |
| ‘Descafeinado curto’ | Short decaf espresso. |
| ‘Descafeinado cheio’ | Long decaf espresso. |
| ‘Meia de leite descafeinada’ | Normal decaf espresso with milk in a big cup. |
| ‘Galão descafeinado’ | Normal decaf espresso with milk in a glass. |
| ‘Café em chávena escaldada’ | Espresso in a heated cup. |
| ‘Café em chávena fria’ | Espresso in a cold cup. |
| ‘Café sem ponta/princípio’ | Espresso made without the first few drops. |
| ‘Café com cheirinho’ | Espresso with brandy. |
My favourites are ‘descafeinado’ or ‘descafeinado cheio’ after lunch and ‘meia de leite descafeinada’ for breakfast or afternoon snack. What´s yours?
