What is the best early morning coffee? Not all of us like to start the day with a coffee, but many of us do. One of the best coffees to start your day with, is a coffee macchiato. It is the perfect coffee to take some extra time over. You get a chance to relax and start the day with a delicious tasting coffee. But, as we coffee drinkers know, the perfect accompaniment makes your coffee taste ten times better.
The Perfect Accompaniment To Your Coffee Macchiato
I am lucky enough to travel frequently. During my travels, I have noticed that many Europeans love their macchiato first thing in the morning. They all enjoy it in different ways. On a hot summer´s morning in Barcelona, Spain, you will find the locals like to pour their coffee over ice. It is the best way to start the day when it is already hot 7 o´clock in the morning.
It goes without saying that you need something to eat with your macchiato. The tapas loving Spanish don´t really believe in big breakfasts. After all, around 11 o´clock they will all be coming out of their homes to enjoy a glass of wine and a tapa. Breakfast in Spain is always a light affair. A cooked breakfast with bacon, eggs or pancakes, would horrify them.
Sitting there at the cafe observing the locals ordering their breakfast, I noticed that several varieties of toasted bread were being served up. Some opted for the most simple version of the famous Spanish tostada – bread smoothered in olive oil with salt.
Another favorite seemed to be tostada with chopped tomatoes. This breakfast option is a taste sensation despite its simplicity. Fresh tomatoes and bread first thing in the morning – what can be better than that?
Coffee Macchiato in Italy
It is rumoured that it was the Italians that first came up with the idea of macchiato coffee. It is probably true, the name seems to roll of the tongue a bit easier for the Italians. They say it with a certain passion often accompanied by a hand gesture. The thumb is brought up to the fingers and the hand is slighlty raised. That is how you order coffee when you are in Italy.
The Italians also like their tostada in the morning, but they are more adventurous as far as topppings are concerned. You will often see them order Parma ham or cheese. Needless to say, both varieties are topped with a liberal amount of olive oil.
Any coffee in Italy is often served with a small almond cookie. In the morning, this is often dipped into the coffee after the main breakfast has been enjoyed.
Morning Coffee in France
Do they drink coffee macchiato in France? They must certainly do, but perhaps it is more popular in the south of France. The French are not great believers in breakfast at all. They may just opt for a coffee with a juice.
If a French person decides to have something to eat for breakfast, he or she will often order a croissant. The croissant may be filled with creamy cheese or jam. No matter what, it is always torn apart and often dipped in the coffee.
Don´t be surprised if you notice the French ordering a glass of wine or champagne with their breakfast. It is apparently good for the digestion according to the French. Who are we to say that they are not right?
Breakfast in Germany
Yes, even the Germans love their coffee macchiato. However, in general, you will find that they will wait until later in the morning to enjoy a specialist coffee.
The efficient Germans love to start their day early. Maybe this is why you see them sitting down for coffee and cake around 11 am. Both the Germans and the Austrians pride themselves on their cakes. German cafes are packed with delicious tasting Stollens and other fruit based cakes. In Austria, you can enjoy a slice of the famous Sachertorte with your coffee macchiato.
Anyway, there you have it on the macchiato. Here’s one final Macchiato – Explanation from Convergent Coffee on this fabulous drink. A whirlwind tour of European breakfast traditions. I hope that it gave you some ideas on how you can enjoy your own coffee macchiato in the morning.