The Portuguese and their coffee

HP ####

Many tourists assume that Portugal is famous only for Vinho do Porto (Port) and they are surprised when they discover that we also have a strong coffee culture that goes back many years. Did you know, for example that Portugal was responsible for introducing coffee production to Brazil?


Coffee is everywhere in Portugal. Every snack bar, bar, house and restaurant has an espresso machine, so it is not surprising that I was introduced to coffee by my parents at a very young age. Of course, I didn’t get the real espresso coffee, it was too strong for me. So i would drink the original Americano because it was lighter for a young tot like me.

For as long as I can remember, meals everywhere, whether at a restaurant or at a small bar are followed by dessert and coffee . Even if you are invited for a meal as someone's house, it's a sign of courtesy to ask guests if they would like a cup of coffee. You will see that during our lunch at my aunt's house, hahaha...we always have coffee after meal.

The common name for coffee in most of Portugal is Bica. In Oporto, (home of the famous Port wine), it is called Cimbalinho in reference to the machines used to make it. Bica means Beber Isto Com Açucar which translated into English means To drink( Beber) this(Isto) with(Com) sugar(Açucar). Espresso started being sold in Lisbon at " A Brasileira " Coffee shop ( We'll go there too ), but Portuguese weren't really happy with the name " espresso " so it was created the term " Bica" and it was so sucessful at the time that it remained ever since.

Portugal’s great historical thinkers had a special place in their hearts for good cup of coffee. Have you ever heard of Fernando Pessoa? Pessoa is one of the greatest Portuguese poets of all time.
A bronze of him exists outside the coffee shop he favoured: A Brasileira.

Other cafés have been named after famous poets, including the famous Café Nicolla, which boasts its own brand of coffee and was frequented by the famous poet Barbosa de Bocage. We can also go there if you want, it's very close to the " Elevador de Santa Justa "


Here are the different types of coffee you can order in a Portuguese bar or restaurant:
- Bica. The abovementioned "standard" coffee that you will get unless you don't specifically ask for a different kind.
- Bica cheia. "Full coffee", meaning you get the same cup, just that it is completely full with the same amount of coffe, just some more water.
- Café duplo. Just a "double" coffee, two servings of coffee in the same cup (you will be charged two coffees).
- Italiana. Same cup, less water, more concentrated coffee. This is just one or two sips of the drink.
- Café com cheirinho. Literally, "coffee with a scent" it is a bica with some "Aguardente" or "Bagaço" (similar to brandy) added.
- Carioca. Coffee topped with hot water. (Different from "bica cheia" as it is usually served in a larger cup). This name comes from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
- Galão. Tall glass of (hot) milk with some coffee (more milk, however).
- Garoto. Coffee topped with milk.
- Descafeínado. Decaffeinated coffee, like a bica