Coffee Culture in Alicante Explained

European Coffee Culture

In today’s day and age basically everyone loves coffee. But people from different parts of the world love their coffee differently prepared and served. Americans, for example, love their coffee with a ton of artificial sweeteners and on-the-go. Europeans are completely different.

In most European countries, whether it’s their first cup in the morning or their third cup on their work break, people tend to drink their coffee slowly, enjoying every sip. This not a rule, of course, in Italy people take a 2-3 minute break to quickly drink their espresso, re-energize, and continue with their day.

For Americans, it’s easy to expect coffee culture in Portugal and Italy to be same as it is in Spain. After all, they are neighbor countries with seemingly similar cultures. But trust us, they are completely different. Furthermore, coffee culture is different in different parts of a given country.

That means, coffee culture in Alicante has certain elements that make it specific, even in the context of Spanish coffee-drinking culture…

Coffee Culture in Alicante

Although Alicante is filled with tourists, you probably won’t catch too many people walking around with Starbucks cups. As a matter of fact, if you want to have a coffee during your walk, you will probably have to spend a few dozen minutes or so finding a place that will make you one.

If you want to try coffee made from beans grown in the area, again, you’ll have to spend some time, because not many people do it. Although, coffee from this area is pretty delicious. One day, if more people become interested in Alicante may even produce coffee so good that it could end up on coffee lovers bucket list like this. Until then, you should not spend too much time looking for it.

What’s more, if you want to make a coffee at your apartment, you probably won’t find a filter coffee maker like you would back at home. You will probably have to make a pot of coffee on a stovetop. With that in mind, let’s go into the basics of Alicante’s coffee culture as a whole.

• The Coffee Itself is Different

First things first, you have to be aware that coffee in Alicante is not only prepared, but also stored and kept differently than the coffee in the States. In order to preserve the coffee beans for a long time, people in Alicante coat them in sugar before transport. In turn, this process leads to grinding and roasting of the coffee beans, which leaves the coffee tasting bitter a bit. We never said Alicante coffee isn’t an acquired taste.

• People Like Smaller Servings

While it’ possible to find American coffee in Alicante – or Americano as people from the area refer to it - it still won’t be the coffee an American is used to. In most cases, you will receive an espresso with some water added to it. And most importantly, it will be much smaller than the portion you’re used to back at home. Most popular types of coffee in Alicante include Cortado, Manchado, and Café Solo, all of which are served in small cups

• On-the-Go Culture is Weak

If you’re looking for one of those giant cups to take it with you for your walk, you’ll probably end up spending way too much time finding a coffee shop that actually offers one. When people go to coffee places, they usually end up spending some time socializing and drinking coffee. Rarely will you see a person taking their coffee on the go. As a matter of fact, taking a 45-minute break to go and drink coffee with your buddies from work is nothing strange, it’s actually pretty acceptable.

Top 3 Cafés in Alicante

You probably caught up to the fact that people in Alicante love their coffee shops. People usually frequent the same 2 or 3 coffee shops all the time. And in most cases, it has nothing to do with the staff or the location, it almost always has to do with the quality of the coffee the place serves. With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the most well-known coffee-serving places in Alicante and say a few words about their coffee offering.

1. Bunátic Coffee

Even though there is no shortage of things to do in Alicante City, if the weather is not good, you may end up stuck in your hotel room. Or, you can take refuge in Bunátic, a coffee shop located in the centre of the province’s capital. The atmosphere is relaxing and you can always use their world-famous espresso to get a boost of energy and prepare yourself for a party in the evening.

2. Sip & Wonder Coffee House

Let’s stay in Alicante City for a few more moments. If you’re going to visit the city’s Central Market, you simply have to stop by Sip & Wonder. It is one of the most “trendy” places in the city. The venue is spacious, the décor is industrial, and it’s a perfect place to spend a few hours in. Be sure to try the seasonal roasted coffee and maybe snack on some homemade biscuits while you’re at it.

3. Thalys Coffee Shop

You have to know that there’s more to Alicante than long beaches. If you step outside of Alicante City, in the direction of Madrid, you will find Villena. A relatively small city that homes one of the most famous baristas in the world, Javier Carrión. Mr Carrión also own his own coffee place, named Thalys, which is a must-visit place if you’re in the region.

Closing Thoughts

If you ever find yourself in Alicante for a vacation, now you know what to expect. We went through some of the cultural elements you should be familiar with and what are some of the coffee shops you should definitely visit. Don’t be afraid to visit a few places on your own.

People have different tastes and you might end up finding a place that serves just the perfect coffee. And don’t reject the places based on their look, sometimes, the most delicious cup of coffee awaits in one of those, hole-in-the-wall bars.

We hope you enjoyed our article on Alicante’s coffee culture. Have you ever visited Alicante? If you did, do you agree with our pics for top coffee shops? Make sure to tell us all about it by sharing your thoughts in the comment section below.