The serving of coffee varies from country to country, but there are standard rules of coffee etiquette. They relate to the preparation time of the drink, the choice of cups, the location of cutlery and additional items on the table. For black coffee, demitasse made of clay, ceramics or porcelain is used. Latte, cappuccino, Irish and iced coffee are prepared in glass containers. Traditionally, the drink is served with chocolate, pastries, cookies, lemon or orange slices.
Features of serving coffee in restaurants and cafes
In such establishments, preference is given to coffee beans, which are best ground in small portions due to the property of ground raw materials to absorb different odors well. It is not customary to prepare the drink in advance, since it begins to lose its aroma after 2 minutes and becomes covered with a film, which also spoils the aroma. To maintain the required temperature, coffee is poured into a cup heated to +40°C, the bottom of which has been previously wiped with a towel.
The barista or waiter places a saucer in front of the client. The full cup is turned so as to place the handle on the guest's right hand. A spoon is placed under it. The left side of the saucer is a place for a compliment from the restaurant (a small chocolate bar, candy, cookies) and a bag of sugar.
When served in a coffee pot, the cup is filled only after the visitor's permission. The container with the rest of the coffee is set to the right so that it is convenient for the guest to add a new portion. Nearby on the table there is a sugar bowl, tongs (for refined sugar), a milk jug, and a glass of water. It is not customary to place a napkin under a cup. According to etiquette, it should be located near the dishes.
Basic Rules
This drink should be served in a copper jug with a long neck. The table should be set with small cups and without handles. Coffee is carefully poured into dishes directly from the jug. Everyone present should taste this aromatic drink slowly, savoring it in small sips. During such a ceremony, wise conversations should be held.
The first cup is served to the most welcome and dear guest. But the owner must still take the first sip, thereby showing that the coffee can be safely drunk. And only then the rest of the guests sort out the cups, which must be empty by the end of the evening. Not drinking coffee completely is disrespect for the owner. Of course, this tradition applies more to eastern peoples, but even in European homes, the coffee break is not rushed. In addition to this drink, sweets, cream and milk can be served.
To please his guests, the owner must brew coffee from high quality beans. A large selection of such products can be found in our Ruskoff store. And these are not all the secrets of a well-prepared drink. It is also important how to present it correctly.
How to serve depending on the type of drink?
When serving customers in a cafe, you need to take into account several nuances. When ordering ristretto and espresso, an additional glass of water is served. Americano, latte, Irish coffee and cold drinks are prepared in glass glasses. To make drinking more convenient, place a long spoon or straw nearby.
Espresso and ristretto
The rules for their submission are the same. For ristretto and classic espresso, a cup with a volume of 30-40 ml with thick walls is suitable.
It is preheated to +65…+70°C. Coffee shops always serve a glass of water with the drink to cleanse the taste buds. This method helps to evaluate the taste of the prepared black coffee. A few sips can be taken during and after drinking it.
Americano
Classic Americano - double espresso diluted with hot water. The coffee temperature should be +75…+85°C. To serve it, use a tall latte glass with a long spoon. If the customer orders coffee to go, the drink can be prepared in a paper cup.
Cappuccino and latte
The cappuccino cup looks like an espresso cup, but has a larger volume (160 ml). It is preheated so that the milk foam lasts longer. Latte is served in a beautiful Irish glass or tall cup. The classic serving is 180 ml, but the American Starbucks chain offers 600 ml cups.
Temperatures suitable for these drinks are +60…+70°C. For convenience, guests are served with a long spoon or straw.
Cold drinks
When cold, you can make latte, cappuccino, Americano, frappuccino.
To serve iced coffee, it is customary to use tall glass glasses:
- hurricane - a glass with a bowl resembling a tulip bud and a low stem with a volume of 300-400 ml;
- highball – has the shape of a cylinder and holds 240-350 ml of liquid;
- Collins - taller and narrower than a highball, but in volume does not differ from the latter;
- zombie – narrower and higher than the two previous options with a volume of 300 ml.
Frappe is prepared in an Old Fashioned glass filled to the top with ice. 50 ml of espresso is poured onto it, stirred and a straw is inserted. Due to the lack of a handle, it does not matter which side the drink container is placed in front of the client.
The standard way to serve iced glass is in a tall glass placed on a saucer. Place a teaspoon for ice cream on the right. Both types of iced coffee share the same serving temperature – from 10 to 15°C. Affogato, which is prepared using hot espresso and ice cream, is popular. It is made in a wide glass with a handle and served with a long spoon.
Coffee with alcohol
The cognac drink is served in a standard coffee cup. The traditional glassware for Irish coffee and whiskey is an Irish glass. It is placed on a saucer, and a long spoon is placed on the right. Sometimes this coffee may be served in a highball or collins glass. Coretto is prepared with the addition of grappa or brandy. A cup of espresso with a spoon is brought out to the visitor. A sugar bowl and a glass of alcohol are placed on the right so that the client can determine the portion of alcohol himself.
Serving rules
Serving begins with dessert plates. They are placed at a distance of 5-10 cm from the edge of the table opposite the seat. Dessert and appetizer utensils are placed on the guest's right hand. Place a coffee cup with a saucer and a spoon above. If they plan to serve sandwiches and dessert during coffee drinking, the plates are changed. For the former, dessert dishes are used, and the sweets are placed on a cake plate. If the latter is not available in the service, you can take a pie.
The center of the table is for treats.
Here they put:
- milkman;
- creamer;
- sugar bowl with tongs;
- carafes of water and juice;
- alcohol;
- a bowl of fruit;
- napkin holder;
- decorative items.
Tongs are placed near the canapés and sandwiches. The cake is served with other desserts, having previously been cut into pieces. The French press or coffee pot should be located near the hostess of the house who is serving guests. It is not customary to place Turku on the table. Coffee brewed in this way is immediately poured into cups.
Features of coffee utensils
The choice of utensils depends on the type of coffee. Elongated volumetric cappuccino cups, which are made from porcelain, ceramics or clay, are considered universal.
They are suitable for making lattes, lungos and black coffee. Ristretto, espresso and doppio are usually served in cups up to 5 cm high with sealed walls and a small handle. The main materials are ceramics or transparent porcelain with the addition of quartz and kaolin, which make the dishes resistant to high temperatures. Its special feature is its oval bottom, which prevents the coffee foam from collapsing. Traditionally, cups are decorated in white.
For Turkish coffee, use a demitasse of 60-90 ml. On the outside, the container is shaped like an inverted cone, and on the inside the walls are oval. Thanks to this type, the drink retains heat longer. These handleless cups are distinguished by their lush decoration, including precious metals, gems, and colored enamel.
Americano is prepared in large cups. According to etiquette, they can be of any color with patterns on the outside and inside. Drinks with lush milk foam are preferred to be served in glass containers. For lattes and Irish coffee, products made from heat-resistant glass with a low stem and a thick handle are suitable. Cold drinks are served to customers in tall glasses with thin walls.
What can you offer with coffee?
Baked goods (croissants, pies, cakes, cupcakes), sweet or salty cookies, chocolate and desserts (cheesecake, tiramisu, curd mousse, panna cotta) are often served with a cup of aromatic drink.
Suitable snacks include:
- marmalade
- marshmallows, marshmallows;
- oriental sweets;
- candied fruits and dried fruits;
- nuts;
- citrus.
An unusual combination would be coffee and cheese. For a strong drink, choose hard varieties with a rich taste: feta cheese, gouda, maasdam, gruyere, cheddar. You can drink this sweet drink with blue cheese. Cream cheeses are suitable for lattes, cappuccinos and Americanos: ricotta, mascarpone, mozzarella, brie, camembert.
Features of coffee utensils
Serving is very important in restaurants and even cafes. In Eastern countries, coffee is prepared in Turks. The drink is served in a cezve. The hot drink is poured into cups immediately after preparation. Coffee is drunk from cylindrical cups.
Espresso is drunk from a small cup. It maintains the correct temperature for much longer. Saucers are used for cups. Latte and cappuccino are drunk from a large glass. Cream or milk is served in a separate container. Americano served in a large cup is the best option for simple serving.
An Irish glass is used to serve:
- coffee with liqueur;
- Latte;
- Irish coffee.
Hurricane is suitable for dispensing cold drinks: Frappe, ice cappuccino. Mocha and Latte are served in a catolina glass, classic Frappe in a milkshake, double Cappuccino and Americano in a double cup. Organizing the serving of coffee in the correct container falls on the shoulders of the barista.
The nuances of serving a drink in the office
Coffee etiquette in business is more strict than in restaurants. Office workers traditionally drink black coffee. During negotiations, the secretary must serve a drink at least 2 times - at the beginning of the meeting and again after 1 hour.
What kind of coffee should I serve?
In the office it is not customary to serve instant coffee or with additives. Preference is given to a classic black drink made from high-quality grains. If an espresso machine is installed, special blends are used.
When to serve?
The first time coffee is offered 5-10 minutes after the start of the meeting. It is served again after 1 hour. Further, the number of coffee breaks depends on the duration of the meeting.
Basic rules for filing according to business etiquette
According to business etiquette, the drink is prepared in a separate room immediately before serving. In order not to interrupt the negotiations, the secretary quietly asks each participant what drink he prefers. The cups are filled to 2/3 of the volume, placed on saucers and taken out on a tray. The person is approached from the left side. Then the rest of the dishes are placed on the table. Tongs are placed near the sugar bowl. If there is no refined sugar, it is better to put a stick of sugar on each saucer next to the spoon.
During submission, you need to take into account the chain of command . The guests' bosses get the drink first. Then they move on to the leaders who are the hosts of the meeting. Next, the secretary brings coffee to the translators (if they are present) and the rest of the participants in the negotiations from the invited side. At the end, they serve employees who work for the company organizing the negotiations.
Coffee storage
The taste of coffee is influenced by many factors. This includes storage, frying, and serving. Arabia, the islands of Java and Borneo are famous for the best varieties of coffee. The quality of coffee is indicated by parameters such as the same color and size of the beans. They must drown in water. Properly roasted coffee beans acquire a dark chestnut color. The ground coffee should simply exude a strong and tart coffee aroma.
Properly store coffee beans in airtight glass jars. The founder of the Lavazza brand came up with the idea of producing coffee in craft packaging so that it would not give off its aroma and would not be saturated with foreign odors from the outside.
Coffee storage
It is better to grind the coffee right before drinking; you should not grind all of it at once. After lunch, it is useful to treat yourself to a cup of coffee with sugar and milk. It is nutritious and incredibly tasty, and also helps with digestion.
