Anyone for Coffee? (no boys allowed)

[kiki1982]

Just out of curiosity: where is 'here'?

In Belgium, my native country and coffee country, Starbucks recently (I am thinking about 1 year ago) opened a shop in Antwerp. I read a hilarious article about it. The journalist admitted to going there to meet friends and to surf the net (free hot spot), but admitted also that he absolutely loathed the coffee. Yet he went there for hours, afternoons sometimes. Living in a coffee country, he wondered why then he went there. He in the end admitted that is was just the brand 'Starbucks' that attracted him and not the coffee, i.e. the free hot spot, the 'trendy' stamp it has, friends you run into who are also Starbuck people, the cups you get your coffee in, the fact you can customise your coffee, the fact that you can get Starbucks cakes (muffins and what-not), but in the end he sad, 'I always ask myself, after a few hours of Starbucks why I always give in to this temptation.'

Still, Starbucks is great in countries where most coffee is crap. Like Germany or England. You can always go to Starbucks where you are sure the coffee is that tad better than anywhere else.

[dafydd manton]

Coffee rubbish in England?? But...but... but... our coffee's not rubbish, it's DREADFUL. Please can I go back to Germany. Aaahhh!! Tchibo!

[Sapphire]

In Belgium, my native country and coffee country, Starbucks recently (I am thinking about 1 year ago) opened a shop in Antwerp.

Well, that's right next door 'Here' to me is the Netherlands I much rather go to a Kaldi or a Coffee Company when I want a good cup of coffee. I also like the coffee we get at the train stations (Kiosk), I know untill recently it was the Douwe Egberts brand - but I think they've changed that... Not too sure... They're using different cups and I think the taste has become a bit more bitter.

As for "coffee country", here's an interesting list:
Coffee cunsumption per country
I learned/started to drink coffee while I lived in Norway Notice how Belgium and the Netherlands are in the top 10 and THE Starbuck country (United States) "only" on number 26 - while the UK is number 48.

I once asked for coffee on the ferry from Calais to Dover. I got some brown liquid, 1/2 coffeeish, 1/2 milkish. Taking a nip of that is not an experience I'd like to repeat

[kiki1982]

Well, that's right next door 'Here' to me is the Netherlands I much rather go to a Kaldi or a Coffee Company when I want a good cup of coffee. I also like the coffee we get at the train stations (Kiosk), I know untill recently it was the Douwe Egberts brand - but I think they've changed that... Not too sure...

As for "coffee country", here's an interesting list:
Coffee cunsumption per country
I learned/started to drink coffee while I lived in Norway Notice how Belgium and the Netherlands are in the top 10 and THE Starbuck country (United States) "only" on number 26 - while the UK is number 48.

I once asked for coffee on the ferry from Calais to Dover. I got some brown liquid, 1/2 coffeeish, 1/2 milkish. Taking a nip of that is not an experience I'd like to repeat

oh, hello! I didn't know that you were Dutch!

In Belgium, Panos coffee is quite alright actually.

I see what you mean about the 'coffee' on the ferry... I always drink tea in that country. You never know what you're going to get, unless you are in such a typical Starbucks-like coffee house... And still... In Germany, when we moved here, we started to drink coffee like we did in Belgium, i.e. any time we fancied a 'cuppa' (it could be a little weaker or a little stronger, but generally alright). Bad idea... Half of the time it was undrinkable. They still have that percolator coffee would you believe it! So, our strategy has changed. We now know a few places where the coffee is nice and we go there to have a cup of coffee. We remember which one is good and which one is crap and then we don't get a very bad cup of coffee. Sometimes, though, we are wrong . I generally am not prepared to try in an unknown establishment unless they are Italians. Though in bigger cities the coffee tends to be better... (We live in the Trier area, really godforsaken place of Germany. Not even foreign food apart from a very odd Thai and a few pizza places have got here...)

At any rate, my experiences in Poland are quite good, as you have read, I suppose... It is a strange way of drinking it, but it's got such a nice taste and is very economical! Try it once.

[Sapphire]

Yes, born and bred That's why my profile says "below the sea surface".

I've been in Belgium quite a couple of times, but I can not remember Panos. But then again, I hardly ever remember the name of a restaurant cafe Your idea of "just try the coffee and remember where it is good" would only work for me if I kept a diary of some sort

Percolator coffee... From what I read on wiki about it, I think my sister has such a machine: it is "see through" - which is quite cool Gives you something to look at while it is being brewed She never drinks coffee so she hardly ever remembers to have some when I visit, but from the last time I remember the taste was quite alright .

I've never been to Poland, but if the coffee is good that's one great reason to go there .

[OrphanPip]

Everyone in Canada drinks Tim Hortons coffee, which is the weakest coffee you can find, it's terrible. It's also dirt cheap though.

Anyway, being a guilt ridden socialist, I go to Starbucks and I buy fairtrade or organic Mexican coffee.

My aunt Bernie's coffee farm in Costa Rica sells its beans to Starbucks too, so maybe there's some familial loyalty in there.

[Scheherazade]

I stopped drinking coffee when I moved to the UK. I still cannot understand why they have pour milk into everything; I think milk spoils a good cup of tea or coffee.

I enjoy having a cup of cappuccino when I am out, though, and since last year, I have been visiting a nearby Starbucks regularly because it is a convenient meeting place at that location.

I cannot get myself enjoy Costa, though. Their coffee and other coffee drinks are unpalatable to me.

Does anyone like Frappuccino? And tried one of those instant Cappuccinos to make at home?

Sapphire> For some reason, I thought you were hailing from Australia and of Asian origin!

[Niamh]

I see Ireland is actually ahead of the UK on that list. Understandably because we do have some fantastic coffee here. Bewleys for example. What to give for a Bewleys coffee right now! Even there Decaf is... words cant discribe how good it is!

Starbucks replaced Bewleys in Dublin Airport and its a sin! A SIN! As Bewleys coffee is nice and starbucks coffee is horrible... but not as bad as their tea. their tea is tar. gross. Bewleys also makes the best tea. I really love Bewleys Fair Trade Special Reserve Tea. Quality.

Everyone in Canada drinks Tim Hortons coffee, which is the weakest coffee you can find, it's terrible. It's also dirt cheap though.

You can get Tim Hortons coffee in Places over here.

Sapphire> For some reason, I thought you were hailing from Australia and of Asian origin!

I always thought Sappire was from South Africa...

[Sapphire]

Anyway, being a guilt ridden socialist, I go to Starbucks and I buy fairtrade or organic Mexican coffee.

Yes, that is one thing I really do like: Starbucks supports fair trade

Does anyone like Frappuccino? And tried one of those instant Cappuccinos to make at home?

I do like coffee-flavoured ice, but I am not sure whether I would like a frappuccino - I'm not crazy about milkshake. I do wonder what it tastes like though I guess I should try it sometime .
No instand cappucino, but I do tried some of the different tastes Nescafe has for instant coffee: I really liked the Irish Coffee, but they took that out of the shelves! I think that's the only time in my live I wrote a letter to the manufacturer So when I buy it now, I always pick Hazelnut. I like Mocha cake, but I do not like Mocha flavoured coffee.
The brand Douwe Egbert once did a test for which they made a coffee with orange flavour That was so bad... so bad... I guess they thought they could combine the two breakfast drinks: orange juice and coffee. Not a good idea

Niamh, that sounds like Ireland would also be worth a trip . I've always had the idea in the back of my mind to go cycling in Ireland one day... One day

Scheherazade: "For some reason, I thought you were hailing from Australia and of Asian origin!"
Niamh: "I always thought Sappire was from South Africa... "

No, just that little country below sea level We have some connections with South Africa (colonial past), but I've never been there. I listen to music from that country sometimes - I like the language, but I do not really understand it. It is a strange kind of Dutch, mingled with all sorts of influences . I've never been to Australia or Asia either, and I do not think anyone in my family can trace their heritage back to either places

Edit Hey, that's interesting. In the first 2 quotes the text is in italics (when the quote origin is mentioned), but not in the last

[Scheherazade]

The instant Cappuccinos are hillarious. You need to keep stirring the drink so it keeps its texture. We ended up laughing so much at our efforts that could not drink it!

I often get the urge to buy one of those coffee makers (one of my good friends has one and make me fresh coffee for breakfast every time I stay over at his place) but I am worried that if I have one, I will end up drinking too much coffee so I am trying to resist the temptation.

[LitNetIsGreat]

The instant Cappuccinos are hillarious. You need to keep stirring the drink so it keeps its texture. We ended up laughing so much at our efforts that could not drink it!

I often get the urge to buy one of those coffee makers (one of my good friends has one and make me fresh coffee for breakfast every time I stay over at his place) but I am worried that if I have one, I will end up drinking too much coffee so I am trying to resist the temptation.

Oh man, I was thinking of getting one of those. Cafetieres just don't have what it takes. Drinking coffee is a good thing - don't resist. I think it will be my Christmas present - go fetch.

[Delta40]

.Does anyone like Frappuccino? And tried one of those instant Cappuccinos

I buy the nescafe instant cappuccino tubes for work and you're right - that they fizz out pretty much straight away unless you keep stirring them. When I visited vietnam, I found coffe was served as a short black with sweetened condensed milk sitting at the bottom. ugh! I lived off nescafe 3 in ones the whole time I was there....a narrow minded tourist

[LitNetIsGreat]

I buy the nescafe instant cappuccino tubes for work and you're right - that they fizz out pretty much straight away unless you keep stirring them. When I visited vietnam, I found coffe was served as a short black with sweetened condensed milk sitting at the bottom. ugh! I lived off nescafe 3 in ones the whole time I was there....a narrow minded tourist

The trick is to never buy anything ever that is "instant" as it is guaranteed to be rubbish. Only ever make do with what is best quality. Refuse anything else completely.

[Delta40]

I agree but like Scheherazade said, I'm worried I'll be clicking over at 10 000 mph on the best coffee beans in town if i indulge. Already gave the last percolator away...went on a herbal tea journey but lets not go there....

[Scheherazade]

went on a herbal tea journey but lets not go there....

*raises her mint tea cup to Delta*