Portuguese Coffee

By KipperTree
August 25 2023

Portuguese Coffee

Portuguese Coffee

Why is it so good?

Article by KipperTree- Portugal's property portal for expats.

Portuguese Coffee is just like any other Coffee right? Wrong!

It’s different and that is what makes it great. Most Portuguese people will drink an Espresso or as the Portuguese spell it, Expresso. This is a small shot of black coffee “café in Portuguese”, sometimes called a Bica if you are in Lisbon and a Cimbalino if you are in Porto.

You can also have a longer Bica which is known as a “bica cheia”. Bica is not actually a Portuguese word and its origin is not really clear. There are rumours that Bica means the way the coffee falls from the machine to the cup. But I’m not so sure about that!

So how is it different?

Well for starters the coffee is extracted to a greater volume than say the Italian espresso and is a little bit smoother in taste, this is due to the Portuguese roasting process being slightly lighter than the Italian one. According to the Portuguese Coffee Association (AICC), unlike other countries that insist on 100% Arabica beans, the Portuguese expresso is obtained from a blend of slow-roasted Arabica and Robusta coffee beans. This particular method of roasting is less intense than others and it helps to preserve the essence of Portuguese Coffee, giving it less acidity, a stronger aroma, more body and sweetness. The result is a hazelnut-coloured and dense creamy and well-balanced coffee that lingers in the mouth and creates a powerful and memorable experience for those drinking it.

You will normally receive your Bica piping hot and always with a packet of sugar, which is the same brand as the coffee you are being sold, as are the cups and saucers and logo on them.

Drinking coffee in Portugal is not only a daily occurrence but more a social way of life. They start young and grow into the habit of drinking the perfect blend, quickly becoming connoisseurs of the thick strong liquid. Your average Portuguese will consume at least three Bicas per day often accompanied by the other more milky types of coffee available.

Coffee with milk

Pingado

Garoto

Meia De Leite

Capuccino

Galão

Black Coffee

Expresso

Curto

Cheio

Duplo

Abatanado

Other Coffee

Mazagran

Descafeinado

Carioca

C/ Cheirinho Bagaço

Café Moka

Listed below are some of the known coffee brands that you might want to explore during your coffee drinking in Portugal. However, please bear in mind that not all coffees are as good as each other and this can be down to contributing factors such as a poor machine, the person making the coffee or the quality of the water.

Portuguese Coffee guide courtesy of the AICC