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From Bica to Specialty Coffee: A Portuguese Coffee Journey

Written by: Inês Carvalhal | January 20, 2025

In Portugal, coffee is not just a drink. It’s a ritual, a moment to pause, or a reason to meet friends. Whether it’s a quick bica after lunch, a galão with toast in the morning, or a simple invitation, “Do you want to have a coffee?”, coffee is part of the Portuguese lifestyle.

In this post, we’ll explore Portuguese coffee culture. Specifically, we’ll translate common orders into the language of specialty coffee and show how both worlds complement each other.

A Brief History of Coffee in Portugal

Portugal’s connection to coffee began in the 18th century. The country’s colonial ties with Brazil played a significant role. In fact, coffee arrived in Europe through Mediterranean ports in the 17th century, but it was Portugal’s colonial rule over Brazil that established coffee as a staple in Portuguese culture. Brazil, a major coffee producer, exported much of its beans to Portugal.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, coffee had become a key part of Portuguese life. Initially a luxury for the wealthy, it became accessible to all as trade grew. During this period, cafés also began to rise as cultural hubs. They weren’t just places to drink coffee but also spaces for intellectual discussions, artistic events, and even revolutionary plans.

The Importance of Cafés and Portuguese Culture

Espresso cup

In the 20th century, Portuguese cafés became cultural centers, similar to Parisian cafés. Iconic spots like Café A Brasileira in Lisbon and Café Majestic in Porto were frequented by poets, writers, and intellectuals who shaped the country’s artistic identity. For example, Fernando Pessoa, one of Portugal’s greatest writers, was a regular at Café A Brasileira. Meanwhile, Café Majestic, with its Belle Époque design, was central to Porto’s art scene. These cafés were more than just places to drink bica; they were incubators of ideas and movements, influencing Portugal’s vibrant culture.

Interestingly, the term bica (espresso) is said to have originated at Café A Brasileira. It comes from the phrase beba isto com açúcar (drink this with sugar), which was used to balance the bitterness of the espresso. Over time, bica became synonymous with Portugal’s coffee culture.

Traditional Portuguese Coffee Orders: A Quick Guide

Coffee is deeply woven into Portuguese life. Common orders like bica, galão, and meia de leite reflect the country’s preference for smaller, stronger coffee. Let’s explore some of the most popular drinks:

  • Bica, Cimbalino or simply “um café” – The standard order for a single espresso. In the south, ask for a “bica,” in Porto, it’s “Cimbalino,” or simply “um café.”
  • Abatanado – A double espresso served in a larger cup, allowed to drip until the cup is full.
  • Pingado or Garoto – A single espresso with a small amount of cold milk added at the end.
  • Meia de leite – An espresso served in a larger cup, half coffee and half hot milk.
  • Galão – An espresso served in a tall glass, filled mostly with hot milk. It has more milk than a meia de leite.
  • Café com gelo – Popular in summer, this consists of an espresso poured over ice.
  • Mazagran – An iced coffee with espresso, lemon juice, sugar, and ice, perfect for hot days.

Translating Tradition to Specialty Coffee

While traditional Portuguese coffee orders like bica and galão are a key part of the country’s culture, specialty coffee offers a new way to enjoy these classic drinks. Specialty coffee focuses on high-quality beans, precise brewing, and unique flavors from different origins.

Therefore, translating traditional Portuguese coffee orders into the world of specialty coffee isn’t just about changing names. It’s about enhancing these drinks with single-origin beans, lighter roasts, and modern brewing methods. Let’s look at how Portugal’s classic coffees change in the specialty coffee world.

  • Bica or Cimbalino → Single espresso
  • Abatanado → Americano (In abatanado, the coffee drips until the cup is full. In an americano, hot water is added to a double espresso.)
  • Pingado or Garoto → Macchiato (Pingado usually uses cold milk.)
  • Meia de Leite → Flat White
  • Galão →  Latte or Cappuccino
  • Café com gelo →  Iced Coffee
  • Mazagran →  Iced Coffee Lemonade

Chart describing how to order coffee in Portugal

The Specialty Coffee Twist: How It’s Different

Specialty coffee brings a refined approach to Portuguese coffee. Traditional Portuguese coffee often uses a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans. Robusta contributes a stronger, more bitter flavor. On the other hand, specialty coffee focuses on 100% Arabica beans, which offer smoother, more complex flavors. At Fábrica Coffee Roasters, we source only high-quality Arabica beans, creating a richer, more nuanced experience than the typical blends found in many Portuguese cafés.

Here’s how traditional Portuguese coffee differs from specialty coffee:

  • Roast Profile
    • Traditional Portuguese coffee: Darker roasts, focusing on boldness and strength.
    • Specialty coffee: Lighter roasts, highlighting unique flavors from the beans’ origins.
  • Bean Type
    • Traditional Portuguese coffee: A blend of Arabica and Robusta beans, with Robusta contributing bitterness.
    • Specialty coffee: 100% Arabica, offering a smoother, more refined taste with unique flavors.
  • Flavor
    • Traditional Portuguese coffee: Strong and bitter, with fewer distinct flavor notes.
    • Specialty coffee: Bright, aromatic, and complex, with flavors ranging from fruity and floral to chocolatey and nutty.

Conclusion: A Cup of Portugal for Every Taste

Both traditional Portuguese coffee and specialty coffee have their place in Portugal’s rich culture. The rituals of cafés, where every bica and galão represents a moment of connection, remain central to daily life. At the same time, specialty coffee offers new ways to enjoy coffee, elevating the experience with new methods, flavors, and techniques.

At Fábrica Coffee Roasters, we embrace the beauty of both worlds. We invite you to try a new twist on your favorite traditional drinks, brewed with the expertise of specialty coffee. Whether you’re a lifelong bica fan or new to specialty coffee, we offer an experience that honors the past and embraces the future. Visit on of our locations for a cup, and taste the difference!