going for coffee

I've only been drinking coffee since it improved. I'd always tried instant and hated it. Now I love a latte at my favourite Costa.

The reason that coffee is not as hot as some would wish is that hot water brings out the bitter elements of coffee, most coffee houses will serve coffee below that temperature.

Sorry ANNODOMINI but hot chocolate also contains caffeine - I did the research when caffeine became off limits for me. Never been in a chain coffee shop but a local little place in our nearest town does a great decaff cappuccino. Not cheap though but nice for a great on shopping days

But still the food alone makes it worth it

I find a lot of coffee is cold by the time they have faffed with it I think a lot are overpriced I. like weather spoons tea and latte . We also find church cafe,s very good value and cakes are usually homemade ☕️??

As I get older, I find myself getting impatient waiting in any queues, especially in the well known coffee shops.

The other day I went to the pictures and thought I would have a coffee before the film started. Costa is conveniently situated in the cinema entrance.
Well, the time it took to get to me, what with all the 'faffing' around, the film had just started. Yes, there are far too many coffee shops in the town where I live.
How on earth do they all make a profit I wonder.

Also, the size of the coffee cup doesn't always justify the price.
A well known tea room i visit charges 2.50 for Americano coffee and it's gone in a couple of gulps.

carerof123 - I totally agree with you. All that faffing around really gets on my nerves and then it doesn't always taste up to much. The worst place is our nearest Marks and Spencer cafe. They have the faffing around down to a fine art and when the faffing is finally complete there is the difficulty of finding somewhere to sit as there are rarely enough seats. I suppose that means that most people don't mind the faffing - or the high prices.

PS careof - do you really care for 123?

Costa is my benchmark. Costa coffee is acceptable, anything less is not, but there are much better about.

M&S is my favourite. Always ask for extra hot flat latte (no froth on top). Meet friends there most weeks. Agree, often have to queue and is relatively expensive I suppose but little treats make life worth living.

I understand from New Zealand friends that the flat white originated down under and if it's not made properly there customers will not hesitate in asking for a replacement, and why not, they cost enough! I think coffee is only as good as the barista who makes it. Once upon a time I only went to Costa Coffee I love a good flat white, but found, depending on who was making the coffee, it could be a bit hit and miss. I love Italian coffee shops Italians seem to understand coffee so well. These days I try to steer clear of the chains, particularly the "American one" they can keep their nasty froth. I'd rather have a small well made coffee from an independent shop.

Way back in the day, (1950's) I thought I was the bees knees when we had a milky cup of Camp coffee at home. ?

My Mum used to make coffee with Camp, awful stuff. I never drank coffee again until we went on honeymoon to Paris.

Meeting for coffee is a very safe activity to meet up with a friend for a chat if you are like me, a widow. However, I've had some pretty dodgy coffees, ranging from something like creosote at the "thicker" end or like dish water (vile thin coffee with a bitter taste but no coffee flavour. My gripe is the cost. At a local garden centre near Derby my friend and I had a pot of tea for one and a small Americano, one shortbread biscuit and one minute piece of flapjack. I felt nearly £11.00 was just a tad steep and for something not that special!

Despite the traditional image of the French cafés I discovered years ago that the French, unlike just about every other country in the world I've visited, know absolutely nothing about coffee, other than espresso. They are clueless about capuccinos and will often provide an espresso in a larger cup with a big squirt of sweetened cream piled on top. Luckily we have Prêt à Manger, Starbucks, and best by far, Costa, making gradual inroads but far too slowly. My preference is for a flat white, unheard of by the French, but the flat white made at my local Costa is simply, and consistently, delicious. The coffees from machines on the autoroutes are quite undrinkable, so I was delighted recently to see a Starbucks machine at a recent stop. But the French love their UHT milk, and this was utterly disgusting. So if I can get a decent coffee it's a fairly rare event and I will never moan about the price I pay in Costa. Plus, they're British!