The 7 best types of coffee in Spain (and how to order them)

SPAIN is well known for many things from music to tapas, but it´s Spain´s thriving café culture (to rival even Italy´s) that has made the country famous of its wide variety of coffee types.

From con leche to cortado, Spain is famed for serving up coffee pretty much every way you can think of, to be sipped by locals, enjoyed by tourists and savoured by coffee lovers across the country´s thousands of cafes.

Here, the Euro Weekly News goes through some of Spain´s most famous coffee types- as well as some of its most unusual ones- to make ordering your favourite that little bit easier, whether you live in Spain or are just visiting.

And to recreate that café feel at home, we have also put together some must-have coffee accessories to transform your morning cup (you´re welcome).

History of Spanish Coffee

But first, a short history lesson.  Coffee is thought to have first come to Spain from Turkey in around the 16^th century after the drink was first introduced to Europe when the Turks invaded Hungary at the Battle of Mohacs in 1526.

The drink soon took off however, leading to the creation of coffeehouses, a tradition which has led to Spain´s now ubiquitous cafe culture.

While Spain grows very little coffee itself- just between 4 and 5 tonnes a year compared to the 3,558,000 a year in Brazil- the country is well-known for its coffee roasting.

While in the early 20th century, coffee was commonly roasted in Spain using the Torrefacto process, where sugar is added to the beans during roasting to keeps production costs lower and preserve coffee for longer, now many modern roasteries are known for the high quality product.

Thanks to its appeal in Spain, coffee is now a staple among Spanish and tourists alike, consumed both at home in one of the country´s many cafes.

And now onto the good stuff, our list of Spain´s most famous coffee types.

1. Café con Leche

Possibly the best known of all Spain´s coffee types, café con leche (coffee with milk) is one phrase that even the newest visitors to Spain is likely to have heard of.

Made up of half espresso and half milk, café con leche is one of the most commonly ordered coffee types in Spain and comes with either hot or cold milk.

If you prefer yours on the hot side, order your café con leche with leche caliente, or for a cooler coffee, ask for leche fria.

Get your own café-worthy con leche from home with this espresso maker, giving you the highest quality coffee to add your milk to.

2. Café Solo

Just as simple as its name suggests, a café solo is a small cup of espresso without milk and is one of Spain´s best-loved coffee types.

One for real coffee-lovers, a café solo is ideal for those who really like to taste the flavour of their cup, and is typically enjoyed after a meal.

For that authentic café flavour, try out this coffee bean grinder, which will give you the freshest coffee every time.

3. Café Cortado

Perfect for those who like a strong coffee but with a little milk, a café cortado is an espresso with a splash of the white stuff.

A great coffee to enjoy in the middle of the day thanks to its high caffeine content, but without the same bitterness as an espresso, a café cortado is a much-loved favourite in Spain.

To get that Spanish warmed milk taste at home, why not try out a milk warmer to make sure your coffee is the perfect temperature every time?

4. Café Bombon

Perfect for those who like their coffee with a sweet kick, the café bombon is an espresso with condensed milk.

Make your own bombon from home with some condensed milk.  Simply, place the milk at the bottom of the cup before slowly pouring in an espresso and mixing.

5. Café Sombra

One for those who like their coffee very milky, a café sombra is mostly milk with a small amount of coffee.

With more milk than a café con leche is perfect for those who like their coffee on the less intense side.

A good evening coffee thanks to its lower caffeine quantity, a café sombra is also a great choice for those who aren´t that keen on the flavour of coffee.

And to recreate that café feel at home, why not take a look at this coffee bean roaster for a truly professional cup.

6. Carajillo

A particular favourite among expats, a carajillo is an espresso with whiskey or brandy.

Perfect for those cooler evenings, this coffee comes without any milk and is one of Spain´s most famous types of coffee.

To get the highest quality coffee for your carajillo, try out this cafetiere to make your cup quickly and easily.

7. Café con Hielo

A particular favourite during the hotter summer months, a café con hielo (coffee with ice) is basically the Spanish equivalent of an iced coffee.

Typically served as a glass of espresso alonsgide a separate glass with ice, add sugar or milk to your café con hielo to make your coffee your own.

Create your own café con hielo from home with this classic espresso maker.

In Conclusion

Whether your favourite is a cortada or cafe sombra, Spain has a large range of coffees to suit everyone, making the country´s cafes one of the most famous parts of life in Spain.

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