Are you tired of your usual coffee routine? I sure was, especially during those sweltering summer days when a hot drink felt more like punishment than comfort. That’s when I stumbled into this cozy little French café tucked between a bookstore and a florist. I wasn’t planning to stay long, but the chalkboard said Café…
Ever wondered what Portuguese people sip on in the morning? I’m Portuguese, and for the longest time, I kept rambling on about Italian espresso shots and charming little French cafés, totally ignoring the coffee culture right under my nose. Maybe it’s just that old thing where the familiar feels invisible. We grow up with something,…
Ever wondered what makes Italian coffee culture so unique? Before I started Coffee Voilà, I used to sip on cappuccinos and lattes without thinking twice. Just whatever looked good on the café menu. But then I fell down the espresso rabbit hole and started learning about how Italians actually take their coffee. The fact is…
Are you looking for something warm and creamy (kind of like a latte, but more Portuguese)? One of my favorite Portuguese coffee drinks, hands down, is the galão. I’ve been a fan since I was a kid, usually enjoying it with thick buttery toasts or a tosta mista (which is basically a hot ham and…
Ever wondered what coffee in Portugal is actually like beyond just “an espresso”? I’m Portuguese and kind of embarrassed to admit this, but after two years of running Coffee Voilà, I’ve never written a proper post about our coffee culture. Crazy, right? We’ve got all these unique drinks with names like galão, pingado, and café…
Ever wondered what kind of coffee people drink in Spain? I have a Spanish friend who owns a small coffee shop right here in Portugal. His whole vibe is laid-back, but he takes coffee seriously. One day I asked him why his menu didn’t have frappes or flat whites, and he smiled and said, “This…
Which grinder will actually keep up with your café’s rush hours? I asked myself that while sipping an over-extracted espresso one hectic Monday morning. It’s a simple question, but if you’ve ever worked behind the bar during a morning rush, you know how important it is to get it right. Once again, just like with…
Ever thought Greek coffee and Turkish coffee were basically the same thing? Well, me too. Most people, including myself in the beginning, assume it’s two names for the same strong, and foamy brew. But that changed one afternoon when a Greek friend of mine insisted on making coffee his way. He pulled out this tiny…
Do you need all those buttons to make good espresso? I sure thought so. A few years back, I got swept away by the sleek design, flashing lights, and promises of “café-quality coffee at home.” I won’t even mention the brand, let’s just say it rhymed with “Regret-presso.” It looked amazing on my counter, but…
Ever looked at an espresso machine and thought, “Whoa… that’s a bit much”? I remember the first time I saw the Lelit Bianca V3 in a local specialty coffee shop. It was perched on the counter like a showpiece. Gleaming stainless steel body, those wooden knobs catching the light just right. I wasn’t even shopping…