this is so funny because we are currently in Paris and I finally broke down and went to what looks like a chain (Moka) to get a "decent" cup of coffee (snobby American) because the coffeehouse that was recommend to me (Pera) is closed for *congés d'été*. I did manage to negotiate in broken French that I would like them to put only a half-portion of chocolate syrup in the iced mocha. But at the place I tried before that, a random patisserie, they really couldn't even comprehend an iced mocha (even though they had iced lattes on their menu). In my experience so far, "coffee" is a pull of espresso (beware that it's not quite as good as the Italian kind, because the beans aren't as good, and not served with lemon); "allongée" is an espresso with water in it to make a bigger cup, so that gives you sort of "the free coffee they give us at work"-quality coffee, and a "latte" is a latte as Americans know it.
"à emporter" for a "to go" order
A French 'café' is much longer than the Italian espresso (it will almost fill the espresso cup) and typically made with less coffee. I was literally just thinking this morning about how hard it is to get a decent coffee in France. On the menu you'll see cappuccino, latte, flat white etc. but it's all just café au lait and generally not very good café au lait. Sad
More specifically:
- "un allongé" (not "une allongée") is an espresso where you let more water pass through the beans. It's got more water but also more caffeine than an espresso.
- as opposed to "un américain/americano" is an espresso where you add water after extraction. It's got more water but the same amount of caffeine.
- "pour emporter" would be understood everywhere but the correct phrase is "à emporter"
I also find it very amusing that you consider something with chocolat syrup in it a "decent cup of coffee". Coffee snobs here definitely drink coffee black with no sugar and definitely not any flavored syrup :) But to each their own of course !
" put only a half-portion of chocolate syrup in the iced mocha." - That's not a coffee, It's a dessert. 😄
But in France you have to order from the menu. Iced coffee is uncommon here and I don't think I even see hot mochas often. No, you aren't getting your half-sweet dry whip almond milk mocha here.
a "decent" cup of coffee (snobby American)
I did manage to negotiate in broken French that I would like them to put only a half-portion of chocolate syrup in the iced mocha
Ignorance is bliss.
We loved “coffee speciality coffee” shop in Paris however I don’t think they do thinks like iced mochas. It’s specialty coffee, their beans are of the highest quality. I recommend getting a v60. Both Italian and French beans are ☹️