Ordering Coffee
Our first post-covid American visitor is in town (yeah!) and this morning I took him to get a coffee at a local spot. He slid up to the counter and asked for….. a regular coffee with half & half.
The barista and I just looked at each other and giggled. That’s not a coffee order in New Zealand. Coffee is a serious endeavour here that starts with an espresso base. I have never seen a drip coffee anywhere in the country, though I’ve heard they exist. So what to order? The most common coffee drinks are:
Flat White - There is a debate as to whether or not this started in Australia in 1985 or New Zealand in 1989 and is probably the second most contested food-origin story after the pavlova. No matter where it started, it is often hailed as the national coffee of New Zealand. It starts with espresso (either a single or double shot) then foamed milk that is more like a velvety micro-foam, then a thin (flat) layer of steamed milk.
Long Black - This is essentially the same thing as an Americano: a shot or two of espresso served with water, though with the long black the espresso is poured on top while the reverse is true for an Americano. While typically this is served without milk, asking for room to add your own milk is the closest you can get to a drip coffee.
Yes, you can get other espresso-based drinks, like cappuccinos, macchiatos, and straight espressos, but by far the Flat White reigns supreme with the Long Black in second place.
There are a plethora of coffee shops to choose from, and while Starbucks does exist, they are few and far between. And generally frequented by tourists and teens. There isn’t the “I’m going to order a venti-half-caff-whipped-mochachino” culture here at all. You won’t see people running around with oversized Starbucks tumblers sucking on straws. There is something to be said for New Zealand’s famously delicious dairy products combined with exceptional beans and barista talent. When you’re in New Zealand, definitely spend some time exploring the local coffee spots because the local coffee really is that good.
