For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
I walked the Via Podiensis from SjdP I walked on to Irun. I had many "café au lait"s. Immediately after crossing the bridge at the border I stopped in the first bar and had me a café con leche. It was wonderful and it put all the cafés au lait " in the shade
I see it very much like you do. I, too, grew up in a place where coffee with milk is the most common way of drinking coffee and I have drunk coffee in various countries and, generally speaking, in some it is more to my taste than in others. But it is not only a question of how fresh the beans are but also which kind of coffee beans are used or whether it is a mix of different sorts of coffee beans.Having drank coffee in a lot of countries I find the coffee in Spain to be good but honestly no better than others I've had and I grew up in a place where coffee and milk was common, so that wasn't new to me.
Spain sources it's coffee beans from the same places everyone else does. After that it's a matter of how fresh the beans are when they're ground or pre ground before they're brewed.
I fell in love with café con leche from day one in Spain. Since returning to the States I have tried to replicate it. I've gotten close but never quite the same taste. And the fresh squeezed juice was great as well. Looking forward to my return in June for an original.Before the Camino, I really didn't like coffee. Sacrilege, I know. Even now, I rarely drink it; I'm a herbal tea aficionado and lover.
But all that changes as soon as I set foot on the Camino. I became wooed and mesmerized by all things Cafe con Leche {and freshly squeezed orange juice, to be honest}. I even was seduced a time or two by the Lemonade Beer twist (Shandy??).
My question for you: what is your relationship to Cafe con Leche / coffee on the Camino? Pre, during and post? [to clarify pre, during and post, I am wondering both in your day-to-day on the Camino, and pre-arrival Spain and after leaving]
Do you have any favourite recommendations of must-go-to places for coffee along the Way -- whatever route that might be? Details and stories would be appreciated! Types of coffee? etc.
Buen Coffee Camino!!!
On my two Caminos in 2008 and 2017, I always looked forward to that first morning cup of coffee after getting some 10k under my belt. I never had a bad cup! They know how to make good coffee in Spain! Add to the coffee a delicious Pain au chocolat…. Heaven!Before the Camino, I really didn't like coffee. Sacrilege, I know. Even now, I rarely drink it; I'm a herbal tea aficionado and lover.
But all that changes as soon as I set foot on the Camino. I became wooed and mesmerized by all things Cafe con Leche {and freshly squeezed orange juice, to be honest}. I even was seduced a time or two by the Lemonade Beer twist (Shandy??).
My question for you: what is your relationship to Cafe con Leche / coffee on the Camino? Pre, during and post? [to clarify pre, during and post, I am wondering both in your day-to-day on the Camino, and pre-arrival Spain and after leaving]
Do you have any favourite recommendations of must-go-to places for coffee along the Way -- whatever route that might be? Details and stories would be appreciated! Types of coffee? etc.
Buen Coffee Camino!!!
I agree 100% about the milk, quite different from the watered down hormone and pus laden liquid we mostly find in the US. I remember passing by numerous small dairy farms along the Camino del Norte—one even had lodging so I stayed there that night and the grandmother gave me a tour of the facility. Happy cows in from green mountainside pastures, a barn so clean there was zero odor, back scratching machines for the cows to use at will, they each patiently waited their turns, very interesting. The milk went into a large stainless vat to be picked up by a truck making the rounds of local farms, transporting it all to another facility for processing. I remember she said they had about 100 cows, a large number. I have never seen or smelled a barn so clean, not before and not after. It’s not big agribusiness and it makes a huge difference in the end product.Wow! What a great question! Being of Cuban descent I was brought up on Cafe con Leche, rustic bread and butter. I can tell you from experience is a comfort food for me! You ask why is so good? THE MILK! Is like no other, personally I cannot drink milk in the states, I have an intolerance, but when doing our Camino in 2014 I had Cafe con Leche every day and did not get sick once! I think the milk is pure, and as in my country of birth they just boil the raw milk to get impurities out and separate the fat, they use the fat to make butter. All I can say is that the Milk there is different, all cream desserts, pastries and ice cream are rich in flavor! I can’t wait to go back to indulge myself! Viva el Cafe con Leche! Buen Camino
Before and after Camino I drink my coffee black. On the Camino, I am a solid cafe con leche fan (but add a little sugar). Big enough fan that I often order two. Am also a fan of fresh squeezed OJ and I developed a love of "lemonade beer" or cerveza con limon or a Radler. They are low in alcohol but high in refreshment: a perfect beverage after a long day of walking, particularly if it has been hot.Before the Camino, I really didn't like coffee. Sacrilege, I know. Even now, I rarely drink it; I'm a herbal tea aficionado and lover.
But all that changes as soon as I set foot on the Camino. I became wooed and mesmerized by all things Cafe con Leche {and freshly squeezed orange juice, to be honest}. I even was seduced a time or two by the Lemonade Beer twist (Shandy??).
My question for you: what is your relationship to Cafe con Leche / coffee on the Camino? Pre, during and post? [to clarify pre, during and post, I am wondering both in your day-to-day on the Camino, and pre-arrival Spain and after leaving]
Do you have any favourite recommendations of must-go-to places for coffee along the Way -- whatever route that might be? Details and stories would be appreciated! Types of coffee? etc.
Buen Coffee Camino!!!
We had the same experience. We first fell in love with European coffee in Italy. First day in Italy we stopped at a bar and had coffee and couldn't believe how good it was. I told my husband "We've got to remember this bar and come back." Little did we know it would be that good just about everywhere we had coffee in Italy. Then we crossed the border into France and were quite disappointed in the coffee. Went back to Italy ... good coffee again. And, we love the coffee in Spain as well. (Maybe not quite as much as Italy but close.)I don't know what the Spanish secret behind café con leche, you can taste the difference as soon as you set foot on Spanish soil. In 2021 I walked the Via Podiensis from SjdP I walked on to Irun. I had many "café au lait"s. Immediately after crossing the bridge at the border I stopped in the first bar and had me a café con leche. It was wonderfull and it put all the cafés au lait " in the shade"
Torrefacto was used to help preserve coffee on long voyages is the most common reason given for the practice. Some people don’t like it but I’m a fan. I’m also a coffee geek and have a full espresso set up at home. Finding good beans here in Barcelona was a challenge but got there in the end. Coffee and bread are subsidised here which is why a cafe con leche is so cheap!I see it very much like you do. I, too, grew up in a place where coffee with milk is the most common way of drinking coffee and I have drunk coffee in various countries and, generally speaking, in some it is more to my taste than in others. But it is not only a question of how fresh the beans are but also which kind of coffee beans are used or whether it is a mix of different sorts of coffee beans.
However, having googled it a bit right now, the word torrefacto popped up: Torrefacto refers to a particular process of roasting coffee beans, common in Spain (and a few other countries). The process involves adding a certain amount of sugar during roasting in order to glaze the beans. The glazed beans are then mixed with normal roasted beans (80% to 20%). Does anyone know more about this?
You did not get sick because you drank A2 milk. Vast majority of Spanish milk is from A2 cows.Wow! What a great question! Being of Cuban descent I was brought up on Cafe con Leche, rustic bread and butter. I can tell you from experience is a comfort food for me! You ask why is so good? THE MILK! Is like no other, personally I cannot drink milk in the states, I have an intolerance, but when doing our Camino in 2014 I had Cafe con Leche every day and did not get sick once! I think the milk is pure, and as in my country of birth they just boil the raw milk to get impurities out and separate the fat, they use the fat to make butter. All I can say is that the Milk there is different, all cream desserts, pastries and ice cream are rich in flavor! I can’t wait to go back to indulge myself! Viva el Cafe con Leche! Buen Camino
Yes, I'm certainly a caffeine addict. On early caminos, I did find it hard when I couldn't find coffee before starting to walk in the morning. Then I realized I could take caffeine pills. One 100 mg pill gets me through a couple of hours till the first bar and breakfast. (100 mg is close to the equivalent of a cup of coffee, more or less.) I prefer to hike on an empty stomach so it works perfectly. Up, caffeine pill, walk a couple of hours, breakfast and a wonderful café con leche. https://www.amazon.com/Jet-Alert-100-Each-Caffeine-Count/dp/B001QVCWSK?tag=casaivar02-20 I think they are safe.I'm not a coffee drinker, and the Camino is the last place I'd want to develop a coffee habit. I've seen too many peregrinos who are miserable until they can find a place open for coffee in the morning. Why put myself through that?
I totally get it! I know too many people who can't start their day without a cup of coffee and I am glad I don't have that need. My husband is an avid coffee drinker and it actually bothers him that I don't drink coffee. But I gave up all forms of caffeine a few years ago (and never drank coffee in the first place) and am still a morning person.I'm not a coffee drinker, and the Camino is the last place I'd want to develop a coffee habit. I've seen too many peregrinos who are miserable until they can find a place open for coffee in the morning. Why put myself through that?
I don't know what the Spanish secret behind café con leche, you can taste the difference as soon as you set foot on Spanish soil.
I'm not a coffee drinker, and the Camino is the last place I'd want to develop a coffee habit. I've seen too many peregrinos who are miserable until they can find a place open for coffee in the morning. Why put myself through that?
Sorry for terse reply earlier but had just dropped my dinner all over the floorI'm not a coffee drinker, and the Camino is the last place I'd want to develop a coffee habit. I've seen too many peregrinos who are miserable until they can find a place open for coffee in the morning. Why put myself through that?
I remember a walk in 2002 when I had coffee con leche in a road house early, the coffee was excellent and so I ordered another . The bar tender was astonished and turn to the other patrons and said in Spanish , “ did you hear that , he has had his coffee , but now he wants another , have you heard that , he wants another” I had another cup and accepted the astonished look of the localsCulturally I think the Italians have it right. Coffee with milk is a breakfast beverage and one is enough. Why overdo a good thing?
Absolutely. Europeans don’t overdo things the way that others…maybe Americans!…do. One cup of coffee is sufficient.I remember a walk in 2002 when I had coffee con leche in a road house early, the coffee was excellent and so I ordered another . The bar tender was astonished and turn to the other patrons and said in Spanish , “ did you hear that , he has had his coffee , but now he wants another , have you heard that , he wants another” I had another cup and accepted the astonished look of the locals
Because it’s worth itI'm not a coffee drinker, and the Camino is the last place I'd want to develop a coffee habit. I've seen too many peregrinos who are miserable until they can find a place open for coffee in the morning. Why put myself through that?
I enjoy surprises and get many on th CaminoOne place I'll always remember... After walking all morning, I saw a place full of locals and decided to stop for a café con leche. As my coffee was placed on the counter, I attempted to ask--in Spanish--may I try one of these and one of these as I pointing at a couple of delicious looking goodies behind the glass. Much rapid Spanish ensued and my best guess was that they're not for sale. He put one on a little plate and placed it next to my coffee. Hum, I thought, I'm catching on. I finished my drink and ordered another café con leche. Sure enough, this time he served the other goodie with my beverage and again charged me only for the coffee.
Fellow Aussie and coffee lover here. I'll take whatever I can get and hope for the best, just like home.Love cafe con leche.
Considering in Australia we have a vibrant coffee culture, I'm yet to find anything similar......
My cafe con leche is very much a pre and during treat.
Post is Vino Tinto
That's odd. I've ordered a second cup of coffee several times on various Caminos. Whomever was serving me never even batted an eye when I did, nor did anyone else around me.I remember a walk in 2002 when I had coffee con leche in a road house early, the coffee was excellent and so I ordered another . The bar tender was astonished and turn to the other patrons and said in Spanish , “ did you hear that , he has had his coffee , but now he wants another , have you heard that , he wants another” I had another cup and accepted the astonished look of the locals
Torrefacto refers to a particular process of roasting coffee beans, common in Spain (and a few other countries). The process involves adding a certain amount of sugar during roasting in order to glaze the beans. The glazed beans are then mixed with normal roasted beans (80% to 20%). Does anyone know more about this?
In the Aceh region of Sumatra, Indonesia they roast coffee (robusta beans) with sugar and glazed with margarine, all while being turned in massive metal drums over open flame.
Almost don’t dare ask for fear of inciting wrath BUT do you know if they do almond milk or soy milk. My friend and I being possibly neurotic over our coffees enquiring…Fellow Aussie and coffee lover here. I'll take whatever I can get and hope for the best, just like home.
Like really! How can you be a coffee snob if covering up the taste with milk and sugar? I Love coffee…in its purest formNo, cáfe sin leche!
Ummmm.....Almost don’t dare ask for fear of inciting wrath BUT do you know if they do almond milk or soy milk. My friend and I being possibly neurotic over our coffees enquiring…
Ahh, I worked very hard to avoid that very scenario. Before I left home, I weaned myself from my caffeine dependence as I needed to avoid the caffeine withdrawal headache I knew I’d get, and the attendant misery, if I couldn’t get my morning coffee on the camino. My resolve didn’t last long though. By the time I got to Roncesvalles I was asking for help from a very kind waitperson in the restaurant. She asked me to show her how I wanted my café con leche (I wanted it very weak so as not to get hooked again on the caffeine) and was told that I should ask for a café descafeinado, which is what I did from then on. There was so little caffeine in my cafés con leche that I never developed another dependence and I could remain pleasant enough in the morning until that first bar came into sight.I've seen too many peregrinos who are miserable until they can find a place open for coffee in the morning. Why put myself through that?
Very difficult, I was always met with perplexed looks when trying to order soy, possibly my mangled pronunciation.Almost don’t dare ask for fear of inciting wrath BUT do you know if they do almond milk or soy milk. My friend and I being possibly neurotic over our coffees enquiring…
Before the Camino, I really didn't like coffee. Sacrilege, I know. Even now, I rarely drink it; I'm a herbal tea aficionado and lover.
But all that changes as soon as I set foot on the Camino. I became wooed and mesmerized by all things Cafe con Leche {and freshly squeezed orange juice, to be honest}. I even was seduced a time or two by the Lemonade Beer twist (Shandy??).
My question for you: what is your relationship to Cafe con Leche / coffee on the Camino? Pre, during and post? [to clarify pre, during and post, I am wondering both in your day-to-day on the Camino, and pre-arrival Spain and after leaving]
Do you have any favourite recommendations of must-go-to places for coffee along the Way -- whatever route that might be? Details and stories would be appreciated! Types of coffee? etc.
Buen Coffee Camino!!!
What is a radler? I can’t drink too much alcohol but love something refreshing after a walk.Before and after Camino I drink my coffee black. On the Camino, I am a solid cafe con leche fan (but add a little sugar). Big enough fan that I often order two. Am also a fan of fresh squeezed OJ and I developed a love of "lemonade beer" or cerveza con limon or a Radler. They are low in alcohol but high in refreshment: a perfect beverage after a long day of walking, particularly if it has been hot.
Pretty much the same as shandy in the UK - a mixture of beer and fizzy lemonade (soda in US English). Usually about a 50/50 mix so half the alcohol content of the beer used.What is a radler? I can’t drink too much alcohol but love something refreshing after a walk.
Essentially it’s a low alcohol beer that has some grapefruit or other citrus fruit. It’s refreshing for many people who don’t want much alcohol.What is a radler? I can’t drink too much alcohol but love something refreshing after a walk.
Or I could just drink up cafe con leche and enjoy that.Ummmm.....
No wrath, just a chuckle
Seriously though, I've been in a lot of cafes on Caminos in Spain and drank and watched many others drink coffee and I never saw anyone get their coffee with soy or almond "milk". Not saying it doesn't happen, just saying I never saw it.
I would guess your best bet would be to buy soy or almond "milk" at a market and order your coffee black and add it yourself.
I have heard of this roasting process which results in the beans getting a glazing.I see it very much like you do. I, too, grew up in a place where coffee with milk is the most common way of drinking coffee and I have drunk coffee in various countries and, generally speaking, in some it is more to my taste than in others. But it is not only a question of how fresh the beans are but also which kind of coffee beans are used or whether it is a mix of different sorts of coffee beans.
However, having googled it a bit right now, the word torrefacto popped up: Torrefacto refers to a particular process of roasting coffee beans, common in Spain (and a few other countries). The process involves adding a certain amount of sugar during roasting in order to glaze the beans. The glazed beans are then mixed with normal roasted beans (80% to 20%). Does anyone know more about this?
Having been born & raised in Chile, I knew of cafe con leche. But for the past 51 years, I call Canada my home and it is from here I walked my first Camino Frances and of course I had my daily doze of cafe con leches every day after walking about 5 km or the first bar that was open early in the morning whichever came first. I should clarify that back in Canada I buy coffee beans, grind & brew coffee but it is routine. Where in Spain and the Camino, you crave that hot delicious concoction of coffee & frothy milk. Once I returned to Canada I tried to replicate it, but I do not have a machine and so far I have made due with Nescafe sweet & creamy which is not the same but if I close my eyes I am back in Spain on a cafe by the side of the road ... Buen CaminoBefore the Camino, I really didn't like coffee. Sacrilege, I know. Even now, I rarely drink it; I'm a herbal tea aficionado and lover.
But all that changes as soon as I set foot on the Camino. I became wooed and mesmerized by all things Cafe con Leche {and freshly squeezed orange juice, to be honest}. I even was seduced a time or two by the Lemonade Beer twist (Shandy??).
My question for you: what is your relationship to Cafe con Leche / coffee on the Camino? Pre, during and post? [to clarify pre, during and post, I am wondering both in your day-to-day on the Camino, and pre-arrival Spain and after leaving]
Do you have any favourite recommendations of must-go-to places for coffee along the Way -- whatever route that might be? Details and stories would be appreciated! Types of coffee? etc.
Buen Coffee Camino!!!
Great memories indeed. I walked my Camino Frances in Sept-Oct. I would leave my albergue early and walk my first 5-7 km before I would begin craving that delicious concoction of steaming coffee & frothy milk with the most delicious fresh croissant. Once I had that in my belly I was good for another 8-10 km when I would stop for a beer and a bit of lunch. Ahhh, what memories.As a self-confessed coffee snob, I’m usually a tough judge on coffee when I travel. It may have been the knowledge that each morning I was facing yet another 30 kilometers ahead of me but I can’t recall a bad cafe con leche when I did the Camino Frances in 2010. It was an essential start to my day. The things I still remember: the coffees were generally strong and hot; locals would quickly drink theirs at the bar while joking with the staff; some places had personalized sugars bearing Camino-inspired designs. All in all, good coffee and great memories.
At the risk of turning this coffee thread into a beer thread, there are few more delicious beers on this earth than one drank on the Camino after a long day’s walk.Great memories indeed. I walked my Camino Frances in Sept-Oct. I would leave my albergue early and walk my first 5-7 km before I would begin craving that delicious concoction of steaming coffee & frothy milk with the most delicious fresh croissant. Once I had that in my belly I was good for another 8-10 km when I would stop for a beer and a bit of lunch. Ahhh, what memories.
I’m keen for it too. Don’t hear anybody raving about the bocadillos though. Anyone love those?I can't wait to try this cafe con leche. I start drinking coffee at 5 am before heading off to work and drink coffee all day long at work as I work in a restaurant. I work 10 hours a day and take a coffee in a take out cup for the drive home. At home I have my last cup between 9-10 at night before bed. I'am a person who can sleep easily after drinking coffee. So I can't wait for the "cafe con leche".
Eh?Like really! How can you be a coffee snob if covering up the taste with milk and sugar? I Love coffee…in its purest form
Yuk! If you want to eat something that will give you a caffeine hit then eat chocolate coated coffee beans.Then I realized I could take caffeine pills.
I was talking to the young Italian woman who had packed her espresso machine to bring it with her to Barcelona. She said she has her cappuccino first then a cafe solo after that. I was impressed.Culturally I think the Italians have it right. Coffee with milk is a breakfast beverage and one is enough. Why overdo a good thing?
Heck yes! Eaten bottom up of courseI’m keen for it too. Don’t hear anybody raving about the bocadillos though. Anyone love those?
I well earned beverage tastes extra sweetAt the risk of turning this coffee thread into a beer thread, there are few more delicious beers on this earth than one drank on the Camino after a long day’s walk.
I’m often split between ordering a clara or a tinto de verano. Love them both.A radler/shandy is to beer what tinto de verano is to wine.
In bigger cities you can get leche de soya or leche almendra or my favorite leche de avena (oat). Small towns will just look at you funnyAlmost don’t dare ask for fear of inciting wrath BUT do you know if they do almond milk or soy milk. My friend and I being possibly neurotic over our coffees enquiring…
So, not “you” personally… perhaps I should say “ how can one call themselves a coffee snob , if they are covering up the taste with milk and sugar”. Hope that clarifies, and no offense meant to anyone. I just prefer coffee without additives
So do I, hence cafe sin leche.So, not “you” personally… perhaps I should say “ how can one call themselves a coffee snob , if they are covering up the taste with milk and sugar”. Hope that clarifies, and no offense meant to anyone. I just prefer coffee without additives
No offence, just puzzled why you made the reply to me when I indicated that I prefer my coffe without milk. It is possible that my terse reply confused the situation and if so, I apologise.So, not “you” personally… perhaps I should say “ how can one call themselves a coffee snob , if they are covering up the taste with milk and sugar”. Hope that clarifies, and no offense meant to anyone. I just prefer coffee without additives
Amazingly, further clarification is in order. I was agreeing with you…No offence, just puzzled why you made the reply to me when I indicated that I prefer my coffe without milk. It is possible that my terse reply confused the situation and if so, I apologise.
That’s brilliant! Leche will be our next pet name as well! (Sorry Bailey - our dog)After one of our 4 Camino Frances, I decided to check Amazon to see if Kuerig style cups of Cafe Con Leche were available. Sure enough! Not quite like authentic Cafe Con Leche on the camino, but pretty good. By the way, my wife and I love Cafe Con Leche so much we named our female beagle puppy (now 9 months old) Cafe con Leche ("Leche" for short)! Bob
My take on the roast is that it is a medium roast but concentrated. When I watched the beans being ground they appearedI don’t care for dark roast coffee and correct me if I’m wrong but the coffee in Spain is more of a dark roast strong flavour I believe. I like medium roast « con leche » so unless I get used to it (and hopefully I will be able to) my coffee drinking on the Camino will be limited.
my take on the beans I saw in Spain were a medium roast , but very concentrated. I roast my own beans and know the difference. I was told the beans come from Central America. They put a lot of coffee in each cup , maybe 1/4 cup volume to make the same amount of liquid. That’s the richness not the roast.I don’t care for dark roast coffee and correct me if I’m wrong but the coffee in Spain is more of a dark roast strong flavour I believe. I like medium roast « con leche » so unless I get used to it (and hopefully I will be able to) my coffee drinking on the Camino will be limited.
Yes, that would probably be better than a pill for most people. (They also sell little coffee candies in Spain that have quite a bit of caffeine.) The thing is, I don't want to eat anything at all. If I have anything at all to eat, then I get that low-blood-sugar feeling until I've eaten something substantial. I'd rather walk for a couple of hours on a totally empty stomach. Then fill it up with the milky coffee.Yuk! If you want to eat something that will give you a caffeine hit then eat chocolate coated coffee beans.
I did my sophomore year in college in Spain. Before going to Spain, I wasn't a coffee drinker. Started drinking coffee in Spain. When I returned home, I thought, "Well, no WONDER I never drank this stuff! It's terrible!" (I do drink coffee in the U.S. now, but I still don't like most restaurant coffee.)Before the Camino, I really didn't like coffee. Sacrilege, I know. Even now, I rarely drink it; I'm a herbal tea aficionado and lover.
But all that changes as soon as I set foot on the Camino. I became wooed and mesmerized by all things Cafe con Leche {and freshly squeezed orange juice, to be honest}. I even was seduced a time or two by the Lemonade Beer twist (Shandy??).
My question for you: what is your relationship to Cafe con Leche / coffee on the Camino? Pre, during and post? [to clarify pre, during and post, I am wondering both in your day-to-day on the Camino, and pre-arrival Spain and after leaving]
Do you have any favourite recommendations of must-go-to places for coffee along the Way -- whatever route that might be? Details and stories would be appreciated! Types of coffee? etc.
Buen Coffee Camino!!!
Could be, but I’ve tried the A2 milk here in the USA and still gives me issues! I don’t know if it’s the process here, or something added to the milkYou did not get sick because you drank A2 milk. Vast majority of Spanish milk is from A2 cows.
I'm pretty similar to you. Before the Camino, I never drank coffee. On the Camino in 2016, I drank cafe con leche every day (also often with a fresh squeezed orange juice). After leaving Spain, I stopped drinking coffee. I drank it again when on Camino in 2018 but stopped again afterwards. I tried again after the Camino, when on training walks with our local Camino walking group, but it just never took. I guess I am an "only in Spain or on Camino" coffee drinker.Before the Camino, I really didn't like coffee. Sacrilege, I know. Even now, I rarely drink it; I'm a herbal tea aficionado and lover.
But all that changes as soon as I set foot on the Camino. I became wooed and mesmerized by all things Cafe con Leche {and freshly squeezed orange juice, to be honest}. I even was seduced a time or two by the Lemonade Beer twist (Shandy??).
My question for you: what is your relationship to Cafe con Leche / coffee on the Camino? Pre, during and post? [to clarify pre, during and post, I am wondering both in your day-to-day on the Camino, and pre-arrival Spain and after leaving]
Do you have any favourite recommendations of must-go-to places for coffee along the Way -- whatever route that might be? Details and stories would be appreciated! Types of coffee? etc.
Buen Coffee Camino!!!
They're ok. Just a kind of Spanish version of a submarine, hoagy or po-boy sandwich. Crusty bread with meat, cheese or whatever in between. The outer crust of the bread can be quite sturdy at times. It makes for a decent lunch and calories and carbs for walking.I’m keen for it too. Don’t hear anybody raving about the bocadillos though. Anyone love those?
Seperated by a common language.Amazingly, further clarification is in order. I was agreeing with you…
For what it's worth, my daily cafe con leches on my Caminos has not turned me into a coffee addict, miserable before my first cup of coffee. I have had no difficulty returning to a coffee-less existence when returning from Spain.I'm not a coffee drinker, and the Camino is the last place I'd want to develop a coffee habit. I've seen too many peregrinos who are miserable until they can find a place open for coffee in the morning. Why put myself through that?
For me life is too short to forgo any legal pleasures , yes I’ll have another brownie and yes I’ll have another cupFor what it's worth, my daily cafe con leches on my Caminos has not turned me into a coffee addict, miserable before my first cup of coffee. I have had no difficulty returning to a coffee-less existence when returning from Spain.
I'm not a keen walker, and the Camino is the last place I'd want to develop a walking habit. I've seen too many peregrinos who, once back home are miserable until they can find a new chance for an extensive month-long walking trip like the one they just returned from. Why put myself through that?I'm not a coffee drinker, and the Camino is the last place I'd want to develop a coffee habit. I've seen too many peregrinos who are miserable until they can find a place open for coffee in the morning. Why put myself through that?
And this adds what to the cafe con leche discussion? Really lost on this thought!I'm not a keen walker, and the Camino is the last place I'd want to develop a walking habit. I've seen too many peregrinos who, once back home are miserable until they can find a new chance for an extensive month-long walking trip like the one they just returned from. Why put myself through that?
Sorry … could … not … resist
And this adds what to the cafe con leche discussion? Really lost on this thought!
Oh my goodness!I remember a walk in 2002 when I had coffee con leche in a road house early, the coffee was excellent and so I ordered another . The bar tender was astonished and turn to the other patrons and said in Spanish , “ did you hear that , he has had his coffee , but now he wants another , have you heard that , he wants another” I had another cup and accepted the astonished look of the locals
Ummmm.....
No wrath, just a chuckle
Seriously though, I've been in a lot of cafes on Caminos in Spain and drank and watched many others drink coffee and I never saw anyone get their coffee with soy or almond "milk". Not saying it doesn't happen, just saying I never saw it.
I would guess your best bet would be to buy soy or almond "milk" at a market and order your coffee black and add it yourself.
It adds fun. For most.And this adds what to the cafe con leche discussion? Really lost on this thought!
I'm not a keen walker, and the Camino is the last place I'd want to develop a walking habit. I've seen too many peregrinos who, once back home are miserable until they can find a new chance for an extensive month-long walking trip like the one they just returned from. Why put myself through that?
Like the Miami pilgrim above, they can get their cafe via a door in the wall,
A bit of levity
I nominate Artic_Alex for best in show: witty, creative with a sliver of sarcasm. Levity and fun. Like a lot!It adds fun. For most.
Yup! Camino coffee throughout the day!I came to quite enjoy the crisp dark taste of the first coffee, and the comfort of coffee at Second Breakfast, and the cafe solo and orujo after dinner, all serving as ritual reference points over the day.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?