I am from the Pacific Northwest; I love coffee. I love its bold flavors and its warmth never fails to make me happy. In Austin and Portland, I always can be found with a thermos full of the stuff, mainly drip coffee, which I like to slowly sip throughout the day. If I do not have my thermos, I am most likely physically in a coffee shop with my laptop and a latté.

Here in France, it is all about straight espresso. It is all about small ceramic cups. No Starbucks’ ventis or frappuchinos or even Americanos, no sir. There are cappuchinos, but still, they are tiny.

At first, I was hesitant, sure that the tiny portions and lack of to-go options meant that coffee was consumed here more for its caffeine and not to be enjoyed like I prefer.

Yet I have not found that to be the case and even if so, the espresso here is too darn tasty to complain. Those tiny little cups may not hold much or last quite as long, but each one is more full and flavorful than the last. Each packs a punch both in flavor and caffeine that seems to demand the attention of my palate like few drip coffees can.

I also adore the custom of ordering coffee to finish off a meal. It is the best way to linger at a lunch you do not quite want to end. And though I have always liked making coffee shops my workplace, for now I am trying out the local way when I stop at cafés…

Bonjour! Je voudrais un caffe s’il vous plaît.

Many older Frenchmen stay at the bar at which they ordered and continue talking to the café owner. I sit down and wait for my order, which arrives on a ceramic plate, complete with a spoon, packet of sugar, and often a small chocolate. Most times the espresso is pulled so well that there will be a bit of crema or foam floating on top.

Merci!

And now, not to go anywhere. Now, to sip and take a moment. The busiest one should be is maybe chatting with the people you came with or maybe reading a newspaper. Especially in the mornings, more often than not I observe solitary drinkers, quiet and unmoving, as they indulge the espresso’s full flavors.

I do the same and once I am done, I feel like I have just taken a deep breath. Now to continue my day.

Au revoir!