Are Europeans into Decaf Coffee?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Clearwater, FL
Posts: 1,006
Are Europeans into Decaf Coffee?
Seems like an odd question but I was wondering how ubiquitous decaf coffee might be in Europe. I don't mean the Sanka kind but brewed decaf. We'll be in Geneva and Rome this fall and if necessary, we'll bring our own decaf packets for the room coffeee maker.
#2
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 7,560
The first question you should ask is: "How common are room coffee makers?".
They are quite common here in the UK (though usually in the form of kettles rather than coffee machines) but much less so on the Continent - so unless your room description says it's got one you can probably assume that it hasn't got one.
Europeans aren't into decaf in the same way that Americans are but you should have no problems buying it in a supermarket - so no need to cart it across the Atlantic
They are quite common here in the UK (though usually in the form of kettles rather than coffee machines) but much less so on the Continent - so unless your room description says it's got one you can probably assume that it hasn't got one.
Europeans aren't into decaf in the same way that Americans are but you should have no problems buying it in a supermarket - so no need to cart it across the Atlantic
#3
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: From and of Boston.
Posts: 4,973
Europe is rather a large and diverse place, and I wouldn't try to answer for the whole place.
I have not had any trouble finding decaf at restaurants in France, Benelux, and Italy. Additionally, Starbucks is starting to become a serious presence in western Europe (to say nothing of Asia), and decaf is very much available there.
I have not had any trouble finding decaf at restaurants in France, Benelux, and Italy. Additionally, Starbucks is starting to become a serious presence in western Europe (to say nothing of Asia), and decaf is very much available there.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Well, Italians are experts in the art of coffee making but if you tried asking for a "Decaf skinny soy latte" most people there probably wouldn't have a clue what that is, unless of course they happen to be Australian.
#5
In Memoriam
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Forget about room coffee makers on the continent. Most of the hotels don't have any.
You speak about Geneva: decaf is available in all coffe shops and restaurants under the name Caf Hag. It is a brand and everybody will know it. This, of course, only in Switzerland. If you want more fancy types of decaf, Starbucks will be your only choice.
You speak about Geneva: decaf is available in all coffe shops and restaurants under the name Caf Hag. It is a brand and everybody will know it. This, of course, only in Switzerland. If you want more fancy types of decaf, Starbucks will be your only choice.
#6
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Originally Posted by magexpect
You speak about Geneva: decaf is available in all coffe shops and restaurants under the name Caf Hag.
#7
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: From and of Boston.
Posts: 4,973
Originally Posted by Gargoyle
Same in Italy, you can get Caf Hag in pretty much any bar (e.g. coffee shop). Also, in many you can get a Cafe Orzo or Cappuccino Orzo. Orzo is a barley drink, thick, black, coffee-like, quite good and without caffeine.
#8
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Readily available in France in most restaurants and cafs - just ask for a "dca" (day-kah). This will be decaf from the espresso machine. Filtered (drip) coffee in restaurants and cafs is uncommon; in cafs, you can ask for a pot of hot water to add to your espresso yourself (ask for a double espresso if you do this, you will get a much bigger cup in which to add the water).
I haven't ever seen a hotel room with coffee makers in France.
I haven't ever seen a hotel room with coffee makers in France.
#9
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I went shoping for cofee in Paris and Vienna within the past 1/2 year. Monoprix in Paris had a somewhat limited selection of groud decaf, no wholebean. The Spar in Vienna had, IIRC, exactly 1 whole bean decaf out of some 20 brands/labels of whole bean coffees. Didn't check out the offerings at coffee shops, or supermarkets in Amsterdam and London.
As for coffee makers in hotels, maybe the Europeans prefer a real kettle so one can get water up to boiling temperature for making tea. Can't do that with a coffee maker where you usually get a taste of coffee too.
As for coffee makers in hotels, maybe the Europeans prefer a real kettle so one can get water up to boiling temperature for making tea. Can't do that with a coffee maker where you usually get a taste of coffee too.
#11
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1
hi, I have troubles not only with coffee but with decaf. I've read the article about effects of caffeine on the body and now don't know what to drink. Who know the answer?!
#14
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,557
hi, I have troubles not only with coffee but with decaf. I've read the article about effects of caffeine on the body and now don't know what to drink. Who know the answer?!