NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,613 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Tue Sep 13, 2011, 3:58am Subject: Drinking cold water with your Espresso
In many European countries, especially in Italy and Austria it's the custom to serve a glass of cold (usually tap) water with your cup of coffee. It's supposed to be drunk beforehand in order to prepare your mouth for the consumption of your Espresso, Americano or Vienna melange for example.
Who does this at home? Do you use bottled instead of tap water? Do you drink it before or after your Espresso? And why?
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
Posted Tue Sep 13, 2011, 9:57am Subject: Re: Drinking cold water with your Espresso
NobbyR Said:
In many European countries, especially in Italy and Austria it's the custom to serve a glass of cold (usually tap) water with your cup of coffee. It's supposed to be drunk beforehand in order to prepare your mouth for the consumption of your Espresso, Americano or Vienna melange for example.
Who does this at home? Do you use bottled instead of tap water? Do you drink it before or after your Espresso? And why?
I know one of the big "third wave" cafes (was it Intelligentsia?) was reported to serve sparkling water with it. I've never tried it at home, yet, but I wanted to give it a shot (pun not intended) one of these days. I, personally, would probably drink it after, though, to sort of mellow the aftertaste.
NickH Senior Member Joined: 1 Sep 2009 Posts: 49 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: La Pavoni Europiccola Grinder: Breville Smart... Drip: Aeropress
Posted Tue Sep 13, 2011, 10:06am Subject: Re: Drinking cold water with your Espresso
I've lived in both Austria and Italy (where I learned to love coffee) and became accustomed to the tradition. Not that I usually think about it or plan it, but I usually alternate between water and espresso, beginning with water. I find this offsets any ugly bitters and brings out the sweetness in the espresso. In my experience, the water is usually much closer to room temperature than to ice cold.
I usually find sparking water has a taste which interferes with the coffee.
yakster Senior Member Joined: 25 Feb 2009 Posts: 1,006 Location: San Jose, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Factory / La Peppina... Grinder: Vario / Kyocera Vac Pot: Yama 8 + Pyrex Lox-in Rod Drip: Brazen / Kalita / Chemex /... Roaster: Behmor
Posted Tue Sep 13, 2011, 4:27pm Subject: Re: Drinking cold water with your Espresso
Barefoot Coffee Roasters has a sparkling water tap that they use to serve alongside the espresso. It is nice to have alongside to refresh the palate.
When I was in Italy (Milan) on a business trip, the people I was working with would drink cold water after their espresso. There was a saying that I forget, but it was supposed to improve the taste. The espresso was from vending machines in the corporate break rooms.
I was not served water along with espresso at the many bars I visited in Milan looking for the godshot Italian espresso. I got a piece of chocolate at Peck, but that was about it. The best espresso I found was at the hotel, and after a while I tired of the hazelnut dominated flavors and longed to return to the west coast of the USA to drink some fruity espresso.
peterkub Senior Member Joined: 1 Aug 2011 Posts: 11 Location: Granger, Indiana, USA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Sep 14, 2011, 4:52am Subject: Re: Drinking cold water with your Espresso
A long while ago when I was in Greece they served coffee with a glass of ice-cold water. Of course it was a small cup of turkish like coffee. I was tols it is to be take a mouthful of water before taking a sip of coffee to have clean palate for it. Something like swishing your mouth with water before tasting. Actually it made sense although I do it very seldom now.
Everman Senior Member Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Posts: 1,044 Location: Coffee Land Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Valentina Levetta, Elektra... Grinder: Mazzer Mini Roaster: Hottop
Posted Thu Sep 29, 2011, 2:51pm Subject: Re: Drinking cold water with your Espresso
I like sparkling water with my espresso. I've only been served sparkling water (or any water) at one place, Intelligentsia at Venice Beach. I often do ask for water at cafes. At home I have cold water (no gas).
mikemc Senior Member Joined: 3 Dec 2008 Posts: 25 Location: Brooklyn, NY Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Nov 1, 2011, 4:43pm Subject: Re: Drinking cold water with your Espresso
I like to have water with my coffee when I can.
I don't think that for me it does anything to improve the coffee experience, but after working in the OR with a lot of urologists I've become quite paranoid about kidney stones.
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