Coffee in Australia- a land of extremes.

Ahhh the endless search to find a great cup off coffee and a great place to enjoy it. Funny- enough- that is my theory on travel-(and in fact the migration of people around the globe)- the search for new food… or in this case- beverage.

Australia is a land of extremes- lush tropical regions juxtaposed with desert- and the coffee is the same. The average workplace juice of life or the kind you would have at home, is total $#%$%^%. You might think I am being harsh…. But wait till you have tried it. Freeze dried coffee…how do you say…. Ick? No wonder they have to drink it with milk and two sugars! ACK! I think it is actually capable of stripping the enamel off your teeth. Seriously- you are likely to encounter the instant freeze dried coffee on the road, in work places, and at people’s homes. The Driver Reviver locations generally have this too. Known as a “cuppa”- you generally drink it with at least milk.

The benefits of the “cuppa”- and I am sure the reason for the popularity- is the ease of storage, transport and usage. All good Aussie homes and work places have a “kettle” this is an invention that the Euro’s know about- but sadly us North Americans don’t really have. The kettle boils water almost instantly. Soooo- all you need for a “cuppa” is a teaspoon full of freeze dry and your kettle. Viola! I will also give it- that (I think it is the shock of the taste) it will help keep you awake when you need a shot of emergency caffeine- kind of like bad truck stop coffee in the States.

The flip side of this coffee dichotomy- is that almost every little café and restaurant you go to will make a gorgeous frothy cappuccino. Even in tiny little towns and at restaurants where the primary type of food is fried and kept under a heat lamp- they generally make a good fresh coffee.

Your guide to types of coffee-
Instant- commonly called Nescafe’ (a brand)
Flat White- most common- what we in North America would call a latte. (if you just order “a coffee” this is what you will get.)
Cappuccino- traditional cappuccino- but always has a sprinkle of cocoa powder on top.
Latte- almost the same as a flat white- not sure why they call it two different things.
Percolator or Drip Coffee- the traditional American idea of coffee- almost non-existent here.
French Press- traditional French Press.
Mocha- traditional mocha. I have yet to find a good mocha here.

Beware the NesCafe!

More OZ Survival guides to Food

Food Survival Guide #1- Kethcup

Oz Survival Guide #2- Pizza

Cheap Sushi

Burger With the Lot

Fresh Juice