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I think the penetration of Nespresso in the French market might also be related to the consistently bad quality of espresso in cafés. I really don't understand

by carlob 11y ago

I think the penetration of Nespresso in the French market might also be related to the consistently bad quality of espresso in cafés. I really don't understand how that has come to be, given that most of the other souther European countries (Italy, Spain, Portugal, most of former Yugoslavia…) usually have pretty good espresso and largely use the same kind of equipment and coffee blends.

bambax 11y ago
I have been (many times) to Italy, Spain and Portugal, and while I have been consistently amazed and wowed by the quality of expressos in Italy, I can't say the same for Spain and Portugal...? Coffee in cafés there (to me) tastes very much like the ones we get in Paris? What I find strange in Paris (or France) is that all expressos in any café taste exactly the same. It's not absolutely bad, it's a little bitter and quite strong; but why is the taste so consistent? Food products are usually not consistent; nothing can be more different than baguettes or croissants coming from different bakeries for example. I have zero actual information about this, but would imagine it's because all cafés get their equipment and coffee from the same vendors and never try anything else...?
- carlob 11y ago
  I don't know, maybe it's a matter of style. For example the coffee in Milan is not as good as the coffee in Naples. But I have to disagree with you about Spain and Portugal, I found pretty consistent good quality in Lisbon for example.
- mandor 11y ago
  From my experience (I have no data), it seems that many of them use the same source for coffee: http://www.cafesrichard.fr/services-chr-nos-produits-4.html http://www.cafesrichard.fr/services-chr-nos-produits-4.html (and this is rather cheap coffee)
toothbrush 11y ago
This. My god the coffee is bad in France. I'm not the only one saying it either: http://www.slate.fr/story/86855/cafe-francais-immonde http://www.slate.fr/story/86855/cafe-francais-immonde
- bambax 11y ago
  Excellent and very informative article, thanks.

by carlob 11y ago

bambax 11y ago

I have been (many times) to Italy, Spain and Portugal, and while I have been consistently amazed and wowed by the quality of expressos in Italy, I can't say the same for Spain and Portugal...? Coffee in cafés there (to me) tastes very much like the ones we get in Paris? What I find strange in Paris (or France) is that all expressos in any café taste exactly the same. It's not absolutely bad, it's a little bitter and quite strong; but why is the taste so consistent? Food products are usually not consistent; nothing can be more different than baguettes or croissants coming from different bakeries for example. I have zero actual information about this, but would imagine it's because all cafés get their equipment and coffee from the same vendors and never try anything else...?

carlob 11y ago
I don't know, maybe it's a matter of style. For example the coffee in Milan is not as good as the coffee in Naples. But I have to disagree with you about Spain and Portugal, I found pretty consistent good quality in Lisbon for example.
mandor 11y ago
From my experience (I have no data), it seems that many of them use the same source for coffee: http://www.cafesrichard.fr/services-chr-nos-produits-4.html http://www.cafesrichard.fr/services-chr-nos-produits-4.html (and this is rather cheap coffee)

toothbrush 11y ago

This. My god the coffee is bad in France. I'm not the only one saying it either: http://www.slate.fr/story/86855/cafe-francais-immonde http://www.slate.fr/story/86855/cafe-francais-immonde

bambax 11y ago
Excellent and very informative article, thanks.