I never used to drink coffee. When I lived in Portugal, however, I got sucked into the coffee drinking scene partly because I wanted to embrace their culture and thus gain some street cred (which I now possess in full) and partly because the coffee over there was cheaper and better than anything I’ve consumed here. Occasionally I’d order a bica, the standard shot of coffee in Portugal, but usually I’d get a meia de leite (I’m unsure of the spelling, though I was able to speak Portuguese decently, I never ever used its written form), it a shot of coffee that would have equal parts milk poured in over the top. In essence it was a milked down shot. It came in a little glass about twice the size of a shot glass and it was simple and delicious. I stared to get more in touch with the lingo and also coffee machine brands like BestPatrols, have stuck in my memory.
Here’s the dealio yo, I don’t know how to order that drink here. For one, nobody seems to understand that I’m not looking for a huge coffee, just slightly larger than a shot. For twos, when I say equal parts espresso and milk they look at me like I’m crazy. They start offering all these different random things, one time even getting me a cappuccino. Help me! I just want a cheap and simple little meia de leite. Should it really be this hard?
Musings From The Ground Up
Initiating a new grassroots movement in downtown Vancouver
You should try ordering an espresso macciatto – it's pretty close to what you're talking about. I had one at Starbucks today.
Thats a popular drink in Latino cultures as well. Can't remember what they call it in spanish. something leche.
Something I found while doing a quick google search…'meia de leite' is the name of a drink (in portuguese) and its literal translation would be 'half milk', but you might know it by the name of "cafe latte" or "cafe au lait". something like a cup of expresso with hot milk and lots of foam. irresistable!
i think brents right. but maybe we should ask our little friend who works at starbucks- arweenie.
A confession about Portugal…I always envied your phone Ry. I mean, sure, my phone could fit in my pocket. Sure, my phone had a nice little scrollie dealie that let me browse my numbers and stuff. But your phone had that "it" factor. People used to gawk and stare when they saw you use it. Was I jealous? Yes. I'm glad I got that off my chest.
it is a cafe au lait. my sister always orders it when we go out and no one ever knows what she is talkin about.i found this that should help you decide if it really is what we are talking about.and it is funny.
in mexico they have cafe con leche. Which they basically pour you a mug of milk and pour the espresso until you say stop. Its great. The best thing ever really. I don't think you can ever recreate it here, even your portugese cafe. Its got to have the love of the culture in it. So, basically I'm saying your screwed.
Thank you all for your help. Here's what I don't get though, why does this drink have to have a starbucks name? Why can't they just say "oh, you want a shot of espresso with a shot of milk? Ok." It's like they have no category to put it in…strange…Lisa, when I partied in Mexico with you I got a cafe con leche. I thought it was quite tasty. I even remember when I was first in Portugal asking for one. The Portuguese equivalent of a barista was like "you want a coffee with milk? What are you an idiot? What kind of coffee with milk would you like?" I guess it would be the equivalent of going to Starbucks and asking for a coffee with milk. Anyway, the meia de leite is the Portuguese equivalent.Jonathan, I know you won't read this, but I appreciate your honesty. Let the truth be told, my phone was a brick. And I think people stared at it cause they were worried that my arm got tired from holding it. I even remember having contests with Carina over who could drop their phone from a higher spot without it breaking…good times.
Comment read and noted.
James is wrong. Just be simple. "I want a shot and that much milk. No More, No Less"actually, some guy came in and ordered one just a week ago. You also want it in a Chantico cup.oh. and Brent is wrong too. FYI.Don't order the leche thing that Lisa is talking about. It's just coffee and we add the milk for you. It's a waste of your money.You may also try a non-starbucks coffee place. People seem to love this "Stump Town" place…. But you didn't hear it from me.
dude… can i have your wife?
Uh, I can make you one of those with our new machine…
I'd suggest asking at Mon Ami – if you spend 10 minutes getting it nailed down, maybe they will name it Cafe con Ryan and we could all enjoy it!
cafe con ryan…I'm going to start using that anytime I ask somebody if they want to do coffee. "Hey what are you doing Friday? Would you like to have a cafe con ryan?"…thats good.
try stump town……i know i should support Star$s since they support half my family, but I gotta go with my heart here. It really is better. They also wont get snooty with you. There is one on Belmont and like 35ish or so….it's right next door to a little bar called the Alto Lounge…at least it was before I left. It's a pretty sweet place to go and work or study too. You're very best bet of all is to go to Meier and Frank, buy a DeLonghi espresso machine, go to World Market, buy Illy brand coffee and a Cuisinart coffee grinder with adjustable burr grind and you're set! But it has to be Illy coffee, nothing is the same. It's a Italian brand that's imported. In about 5-10 short years you will have saved the same amount you spend on coffee out. Or, there is a gelato place on NW 23rd who serves Illy coffee. Can you tell I've done some research on this?!
oooohhh, i forgot about chantico.
So what about now? Do you love coffee now? If yes then have one coffee grinder at home to ensure that you are not spending much on just your coffee. Have a happy life with coffee as it is a great thing i and over the world most of the people uses.
Pingback: Rumors, Lies and Best Sewing Machines | Thomdots Solar Center