The History of Spanish Coffee
THE HISTORY OF SPANISH COFFEE by Randy Wilson
When we think of Spanish coffee we tend to think of a steaming mug of coffee with rum or other alcohol and topped with whipped cream, but the Spanish influence on the coffee industry reaches much further than the bar in a ski lodge.
Spanish ships carried coffee plants and seeds to many remote areas of the world where coffee was not native but soon became central growing hubs. Descendants of Spanish conquistadors settled in Central and South America where they created huge plantations for growing Spanish coffee.
Coffee originally came to Spain with Turkish immigrants. Not much, if any, coffee was actually grown in Spain but they developed a method for roasting that produces very dark, almost black oily beans that make very strong coffee that is known as Spanish Roast, or Dark French Roast.
Spanish coffee growers in Latin America accounted for nearly half of all the coffee exported; however, most Spanish coffee served in Spain comes from Angola and Mozambique and is roasted dark to bring out the full flavor.
Coffeehouses in Spain are usually elaborate, elegant gathering places with high ceilings, ornate furniture and waiters in white shirts and black ties. The customers are appropriately dressed and the atmosphere is somewhat reserved. Spanish coffee houses are quite different from other regions of the world where a casual, informal environment would be expected.
Early Arabic coffee traders tended to gouge the Spanish coffee merchants on pricing and the result was the highest priced cup of coffee in Europe. Portugal, Spain’s neighbor, had colonies in several coffee growing regions in Africa and sold coffee to the Spain at more reasonable prices, however the quality was not as good and some importers chose to pay the higher prices for the Arabian coffee.
Whether the Spaniards were the first to add alcohol to coffee is unknown, but this practice is very common in Spanish coffee houses even in the morning hours so it is possible. The familiar drink on cold afternoons does have its origin in the rich and elegant coffeehouses of Spain.
© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.
Randy works with his son on Ultimate Coffees Info. Randy owned and operated a very successful storefront/mailorder business from 1988 to 2003.
If you have an interest in Spanish food and drink you may also like our pages on paella, the Mediterranean diet and Rioja wines.
Site Navigation
Site Map (index of all 360 pages)
Move to Spain
Car Hire in Spain
Car Hire From Alicante Airport
Renting Property in Spain
Buying Property in Spain
Tourist Information
Alcoy
Alicante
Alfaz
del Pi
Altea
Benidorm
Benissa
Cabo
Roig
Calpe
Cartagena
Crevillente
Denia
El Campello
Elche
Gandia
Guadalest
Guadamar
Jalon
Valley
Jativa
Javea
La
Manga
Mazarron
Moraira
Murcia
Oliva
Ontinyent
Orihuela
Pedreguer
Pilar
de la Horadada
Rojales
San Juan
San
Pedro del Pinatar
Santa
Pola
Torrelamata
Torrevieja
Villajoyosa
Villamartin
Business and Jobs
Main
Index
Businesses
For Sale
Starting
a Business
Franchises
Bars
For Sale
Finding
Work
Summer
Jobs
Jobs
in Spain
Living in Spain
Main
Index
Cheaper
Phone Calls
Health
Insurance
Learn
Spanish
