German Coffee - What is the secret?

refuel

This may have a simple answer, but how do they make the delicious coffee served in cafes in Germany?  The result is a medium sized cup of coffee with crema, and it tastes wonderful.

I can tell it is pressed, but one shot of espresso mixed with hot water, or is it all pressed? Is the secret in the beans or grinding?  How can I replicate it at home?

The reason I ask is because I assumed that coming back to Canada, I would find the same.  Until then, I was only drinking espresso in coffee shops here.  Well, that was until I experienced Italian espresso.  That's another story.

Getting back to German coffee, I have tried various Starbuck's Americanos -result is a bitter and sour and flat coffee.  A Swiss bakery opened locally, and when I saw their large fully automatic coffee maker, I thought I had found the solution. Again, not so.  That coffee tasted old and stale, with no crema

Please help.  I can't afford another trip to Germany.

Remus

starbucks americano...man thats got me lauging my azz off over here !! lol you need to find a place that takes pride in their coffee. most places treat coffee as an afterthought and the result is predictable. it has to be fresh beans and preferably ground to order and then str8 into the machine. the tatse difference bewteen freshly ground beans and stale beans from starbucks is imeasurable. if you can;t find a place like that then get a nice espresso machine and buy fresh beans. you're coffee will be perfect in time and its cheaper than goign to germany. btw: have been to germany and there is nothing special going on there. good places with good fresh product make good coffee whether they're in vancouver, berlin, sydney or uzbekhistan.

lars

I agree with Remus - i'm not sure there is any 'secret' to German coffee. I worked there for over two years and also travelled around quite a lot. On average, the coffee was terrible... Where did you find the wonderful coffee you experienced - was it all over or in a particular town or region? One thing that many cafes (particularly in the South) do is add cream to the coffee - are you sure that's not the part of it you enjoyed? Lars

refuel

Thanks for your replies. It could simply be good beans. I really don't have much to compare to in Canada. I am certain however that it wasn't cream added.  Two reasons: I always drink black, and have a severe allergy to milk protein. I am going to see about finding a source for freshly roasted (good) beans, and/or do it myself.  And use a good grinder etc. I have also since heard that roasting beans in Germany is a trade.  ie studying, courses etc.  I wonder if they do have at least a few secrets  

Remus

i'd say most countries roast beans. certainly in Europe, everywhere i went we found coffee roasteries. alot of it is simply down to taste and pallet though. one mans oyster is another mans slimy disgusting fishy thing. i remember getting some of the most wonderful espresso's in italy that my wife hated. i think the only country in the world that consistently serves crap coffee is the USA. lucky your in canada. ;D