Spain Food Post #1: Spanish Coffee

key: 

brown: coffee

white: milk

off-white (bonbon and cafe con leche): condensed milk

orange: alcohol

When I was in Spain at my host family's house, I saw a really elegant looking coffee but it was a normal everyday coffee to them.

http://images.budgettravel.com/1111coffeespain1-10262011_horiz-large.jpeg

The first thing I noticed about it, is that it is layered with condensed milk, coffee, and then foam. I soon came to know that it is a normal everyday type of coffee, and this one specifically is called bombon. This one became my favorite, because I can only stand the taste of coffee when with a lot of sugar and milk, and in this case condensed milk. (Condensed milk is much sweeter.) There are many different types with different layers as seen in the above diagram and they all are quite common. In a cafe or a restaurant, they will bring it to you like this, and then you stir it so it all mixes up.

The second thing is that it comes in tiny cups in contrast to the United States where coffee comes in large cups. This is partly due to the fact that they drink espresso, and the "normal" coffee is barely ever seen there. So when you order a coffee in the morning, or anytime, do not expect it to be big at all. 

In the United States, we have a coffee machine called a Keurig. It is where you buy little sealed plastic cups filled with different coffee or tea flavors, put them in a machine, and then the machine makes coffee for you. From what I have seen, Europe has something like this but it is called Dolce Gusto, run by Nescafe. In Spain specifically (maybe somewhere else, I don't know), they have something called Nespresso, also run by Nescafe. To make the Nespresso, you put whatever you want on the bottom; milk, cream, condensed milk, and then put it on the machine which puts on coffee and also foam. One thing I noticed about drinking coffee that looks nice in small cups, is that it makes you feel like you are drinking something more special. Here are some comparisons of Keurig and Nespresso. (The pictures are supposed to be right next to each other, in comparison but it is not working. Sorry)

                         Nespresso Machine
http://kimberlytaylorimages.com/wp-content/
uploads/2013/02/nespresso.png

Keurig machine

http://www.gadgetreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/keurig_platinum.jpg

                                     

Nespresso capsules

http://www.ablogtowatch.com/wp-content/
uploads/2012/11/Coffee_capsules_-_anieto2k.jpg

K-cups

http://www.ablogtowatch.com/wp-content/
uploads/2012/11/Coffee_capsules_-_anieto2k.jpg

Nespresso capsule box

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71R1cG-VrZL._SL1500_.jpg

K-cups box
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/5/1/1/6/5/5/
webimg/456146081_o.jpg

             And here's a last picture for Nespresso that I feel needs to be shared:

It is just so fancy. When you buy them they even give you a bag that looks fancy and the stores look high-end. 

http://img.timeinc.net/time/asia/magazine/2011/0307/360_nespresso_0307.jpg

All in all, Nespresso is elegant, and really nice compared to the Keurig machines we have, and Spain has coffee that I like; 70% milk, cream, & sugar, and only 30% coffee. If this is also your coffee taste, if you can, choose Spain as your next vacation destination.

Comment about your country's coffee preferences! :)