going for coffee

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!

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!

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

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. ?

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.

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.

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

PS careof - do you really care for 123?

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.

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.

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 ☕️??

But still the food alone makes it worth it

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

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.

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.

I agree about modern coffee palaver and avoid these pay through the nose chain coffee shops that abound.
Luckily in my little Devon locality there are nice coffee/tea shops where you can still get simply a cup of coffee.

I love a good cup of coffee but I do like it hot which it isn't usually from any of the chains. M&S does a very nice mocha, though.

This thread put me in mind of the first date I went on with DH (10 years ago); we ended up at the end of a tram line in New Addington and found a cafe. DH, keen to impress, asked the lady behind the counter what kinds of coffee they had. Back came the reply "Nescaff, with or without milk", which absolutely cracked us up and has become a family catchphrase!

It would be interesting to know the mark-up on coffee served in the coffee shop chains as they probably pay their staff the minimum wage.

I drink tea in these places because I prefer it, it's cheaper and the coffee can be too strong unless I have a latte.

Don't go to Starbucks - they pay no tax.

I'm with GillT57! Although, since my family gave me a deLonghi ( other makes are available) bean to cup coffee machine for my last 'big'birthday, I have coffee out less often as I can make such a good one at home.

Enjoy a coffee (& cake) as a treat, usually with my DD & DGS.

Before we downsized DH & I used to go into local town once a month for main shopping & banking. Our treat was to pick up M & S sandwiches & nice cake for Lunch, my step-daughter couldn't understand why we didn't go for coffee but as we only lived a few miles away we would rather go straight home & enjoy Lunch & coffee at home (we could be home in less time than it would have taken to have a coffee out).

Our treat however was if we visited NT Properties, always packed a picnic but went for coffee & cake when we'd finished looking round

PamelaJ1, true, all the things you mentioned, but the Church coffee shop has become a real 'meeting' place for lots of visitors. It is a friendly place and no one is left to sit alone, unless they choose to. We do volunteer in there, an occasional Saturday, is our slot. But I must admit that sometimes I find their coffee a bit strong. I do like Costa and also Pret a Manger coffee. It is surprising how much can be spent on coffee out, if you care to add up the cost. But it's a nice treat.?

Having coffee out is a treat so is worth the expense, especially if the company is good!

We love good coffee and search out cafes/tearooms that can make the perfect cup. As said, good coffee is not cheap, but it is well worth the cost. Of the High Street shops, Cafe Nero is pretty good, but some of the small independents can be even better.
It's the quality that matters, not the quantity, one of the main differences between a tiny cup of good espresso and a cup of Americano is just water, so the espresso will cost about the same.

Good grief, there are a few people on here who have no idea of the true cost of making a coffee/pot of tea. It is not just about the teabag/coffee. What about insurance/business rates/rent/staff wages/etc? I for one am delighted that we have finally learnt to make decentish coffee in this country and that the days of big drums of powdered nescafe have gone. I like a good coffee and the whole experience of it, and I appreciate the associated costs in making it.

I can't drink coffee anyway as it gives me headaches but yes, I'm sure coffee shops are a rip off. My husband just drinks "normal" coffee ie black coffee with plain milk, but has to go through the palaver of cappuchino, latte, mochaccino etc when they don't recognise the term "flat white". I do like to see the artwork on top but not enough to queue, explain and wait then pay what to me seems an extortionate amount for a small drink. My age is showing!!