[hart]

I don't get this "regular" coffee thing. Apparently here in Brooklyn it means lots of sugar (like three heaping teaspoons) and some milk. People seem very confident when they order it so I guess it must be a mutual understanding around here but when did they get together to decide this?

Is it the same everywhere? I remember the hogie/sub thread and the soda/pop question so I'm just wondering.

[Oisín]

I don’t think there’s such a thing as ‘regular’ coffee over here. But I’d take it to mean straight-up black coffee, no milk, no sugar.

The only time I’d ever use it, though, would be to explain ‘regular’ coffee, as opposed to cappuccinos, frappuccinos, Turkish/Greek coffees, bicas, Nescafé, or God only knows what other kind of esoteric coffee.

[BRussell]

I've only heard it used to mean it's not decaffeinated.

[hart]

Originally Posted by BRussell 

I've only heard it used to mean it's not decaffeinated.

I've made that mistake before. but that's not what it means here. I have to say "caf" or "decaf" to indicate that variable.

Where are you?

[ghporter]

I'm with BRussell on this. There's "regular" and "decaff" and everything else is, well, different. At Starbucks and Seattle's Best I almost always order "regular" coffee, and I get brewed, non-decaff coffee. If I want a latte or something else, I have to order it that way.

There's one exception to this, and it's based on the store I visited. There are Seattle's Best outlets on some (all?) Royal Caribbean cruise ships, and to get "regular" coffee, they have to make café American because they don't have the appropriate hardware to brew coffee the "normal" way. It's good stuff, but it takes as long to prepare as a cappuccino.

[SpaceMonkey]

Where I am, I just order "coffee." They assume I mean caffeinated. Sometimes they will ask if I want them to "leave room" for milk or cream, but I've never had it added for me.

[BlueSky]

There's regular and decaffeinated. I don't believe there's a word for coffee with 3 heaping tsp of sugar besides "candy". Yuk.

[ShortcutToMoncton]

At Tim Horton's, that venerable Canadian institution, a regular coffee means a single-single (as opposed to the infamous double-double). It is what I get, when I get coffee at Tim Horton's.

greg

[vexborg]

As Oisín said, here "Regular" is black, no sugar or milk.

Not decaf as coffee with out any caffeine isn't coffee...

[hart]

Originally Posted by BlueSky 

There's regular and decaffeinated. I don't believe there's a word for coffee with 3 heaping tsp of sugar besides "candy". Yuk.

[Oisín]

I don't believe there's a word for coffee with 3 heaping tsp of sugar besides "candy".

I can think of a few...

(Though, to be honest, I’d equally bestow most of those rather unflattering words on any other kind of coffee. Yuk, indeed.)



What’s café American (café américain?)?

[paul w]

I'm with hart, though I grew up in NY. Actually I'm surprised it means milk AND sugar. I thought it was only milk. In any case I learned to be clear and say BLACK coffee quickly before it was too late.

If you say coffee it means caffeinated. No reason to specify unless you want decaf. So I fail to see the logic of calling regular coffee.

[paul w]

Originally Posted by Oisín 

What’s café American (café américain?)?

café américain, also know as café allongé, refers simply to the more watered down coffee than say espresso. In Paris sometimes it actually means getting an espresso in a larger cup and a little pitcher of hot water.

[SpaceMonkey]

Originally Posted by paul w 

café américain, also know as café allongé, refers simply to the more watered down coffee than say espresso. In Paris sometimes it actually means getting an espresso in a larger cup and a little pitcher of hot water.

Yes. It means, "here wussy américain, here's some extra water for your coffee. I fart in your general direction."

[hart]

Oisin: weren't you in China for a while? How prevelent is coffee there anyway? and how do they drink it? I spent some time in Hong Kong in the 80's but I can't remember.

[Chuckit]

If you order "regular coffee" around here, they'll usually look a little bit confused, but what they assume you mean seems to be "black coffee from your most popular blend."

[KeriVit]

At Dunkin Donuts a "regular" is cream and sugar

[Railroader]

Regular coffee around here = black caffeinated. No special blends or exotic flavors. Plain black coffee. I think Maxwell House™ when I think regular coffee.

Drinking a Kona blend right now with 1 sugar 1 cream.

[hart]

Originally Posted by KeriVit 

At Dunkin Donuts a "regular" is cream and sugar

Ok so there's a non-Brooklyn location with the sugar thing. Any other Dunkin Donuts reports? Is that universal or just in KeriVit's local?

[mac128k-1984]

Here in Boston a regular is cream and sugar.

[DeathToWindows]

a regular coffee here means caffeinated, black

however, I usually just drink a straight espresso...

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by DeathToWindows 

a regular coffee here means caffeinated, black

however, I usually just drink a straight espresso...

At Dunkin' Donuts they look at you funny if you order that. At least they did to me yesterday.

There might have been other reasons.

[hart]

Just got back from the bagel store where I did research. There "regular" means milk and 2 sugars, altho some people mean just milk so they always ask.

It's the donut shop at which 3 sugars is the norm. Maybe donut customers have a heavier sweet tooth.

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by hart 

Oisin: weren't you in China for a while? How prevelent is coffee there anyway? and how do they drink it? I spent some time in Hong Kong in the 80's but I can't remember.

Yes, I was (actually, I came from there five days ago). Coffee’s still not particularly common in China—or rather, it’s ubiquitous, but only a fairly small percentage of the population drinks it regularly.

Chinese coffee, like Chinese chocolate, is vile, even by coffee standards. In China, Nescafé is considered good, quality coffee. Brewing coffee is nigh unheard of. Starbucks is the high goal.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by paul w 

café américain, also know as café allongé, refers simply to the more watered down coffee than say espresso. In Paris sometimes it actually means getting an espresso in a larger cup and a little pitcher of hot water.

I knew I'd misspell that! (And I've always heard the emphasis on the last syllable so if I'd tried to put an accent on it...)

Anyway, it's typically a shot of espresso with hot water added to make a full cup (6oz).

[MichiganRich]

Regular is an old-school way to order it with cream and sugar. Doesn't mean anything consistent anymore.

[Oisín]

(And I've always heard the emphasis on the last syllable so if I'd tried to put an accent on it...)

C’est français—the accent means the e is to be pronounced closed, as [e], not open, as [ɛ]. The emphasis always falls on the last syllable in French.


And, now that I’ve had it explained, I find myself remembering my Portuguese teacher telling me that a watered-out coffee is often known as um americano in Portugal, as well. They certainly have high opinions of you ’Muricans

[angelmb]

A 'regular' coffee in Spain would be the one that would be classified between a coffee that tastes good and a coffee that tastes bad… OK, bad joke if you speak spanish (regular like being so-so)… but since I am not into coffee or any other weird drink for that matter, that joke was all I could say.

[andi*pandi]

I always thought if you order a regular coffee at Dunkin Donuts, that just means what size. I never knew that anything to do with cream or sugar implied or inferred.

[Jim_MDP]

I gotta side with the simple replies at the start, here in 'merica that is...

Long before Starbucks, and "Gourmet" coffee, ya gots yer cup a joe in a diner or coffee shop.

You park your butt and say "Coffee please".

Depending on the time of day, it would be appropriate for the waitress to ask...

"Regular or Decaf?" (Obviously... post WW II)

[brassplayersrock²]

Originally Posted by mac128k-1984 

Here in Boston a regular is cream and sugar.

good to know! thank you

Alex

[k squared]

Originally Posted by angelmb 

A 'regular' coffee in Spain would be the one that would be classified between a coffee that tastes good and a coffee that tastes bad… OK, bad joke if you speak spanish (regular like being so-so)… but since I am not into coffee or any other weird drink for that matter, that joke was all I could say.

Wouldn't a regular coffee in Spain be a shot of espresso? As in a cafe?

In Miami, for a 'regular' coffee you would ask for American coffee. The biggest distinction, for me anyway, depends on what country you are in: for some a coffee is espresso, for others it's drip/filter.

[gradient]

Here in Vancouver, 'regular coffee' refers most often to drip coffee as opposed to an americano (espresso with hot water, I'm sure there are several names for this).

[macforray]

Originally Posted by BRussell 

I've only heard it used to mean it's not decaffeinated.

Ditto. I own and run a coffee shop / restaurant. Regular and Decaf. Has nothing to do with what may (or may not) be put in it. Of course I'm just a hick from the sticks of Central New York, so who am I to question those from New York City. They must need all that sugar just to make it through the day. :stick

Also, I personally do not like anyone "fixing" my coffee for me. Dunkin Donuts always puts too much cream in it. I am also diabetic, so I must use the "pink", "blue" or "yellow" stuff. I dislike the "pink", but if I must use it I only need 1/3 packet for a 12 ounce cup. The other two a full packet will do.

[Cadaver]

Here outside Philadelphia, "regular" coffee refers to non-decaf (as opposed to "decaf", which unsurprisingly refers to decaffeinated coffee).

Used as in, "Would you like regular or decaf?"

[flyordiedays]

Here in East Tennessee, regular coffee is caffeinated (similar to how Cadaver describes it above), and any additives are DIY.

[Jim_MDP]

Well, I guess us old school hicks are in the minority worldwide. No surprise, time moves on.

Last I was in Europe, I was still a teen, more interested in the beer than the coffee. But as a coffee lover, I admit I would like to ask for a "coffee" and be served an espresso. Mr. Illy is a god. Don't own any of the company's products, I just admire the scientific approach to making the best damn coffee product possible. Bean DNA testing indeed!

[zro]

I just order "coffee" and it's (rightly) assumed to be coffee of the caffeinated variety with nothing in it.

This is at restaurants and diners, though. I don't visit caffein dens.

[Paco500]

I went to High School on Long Island, and in delis and bagle shops, regular meant cream and lots of sugar, but at most sit-down or fast food resturants, regular meant non-decaf. I think the whole regular=cream & sugar was a bit of an affectation- being purposefully obtuse to frustrate non-locals.

[IceEnclosure]

"American coffee" - just a regular cup o' joe, regular or decaf. milk or cream on teh side. sugar and sh*t.


cappucinos, espressos, macchiatos, cortalitos, cafe cubano are all based on Italian or Cuban type coffees. Some have raw sugar added to the drink, some have milk(foamed and/or steamed) sometimes served "short" or "long" depending on the amount of water poured thru the coffee.

*Cuban coffees will turn you into a chupacabra for like 25 minutes.

**American coffee, cup for cup, bests espresso type coffees for caffeine content.



* - fact

** - real fact

[angelmb]

Originally Posted by k squared 

Wouldn't a regular coffee in Spain be a shot of espresso? As in a cafe?

No idea sorry, it was just a joke about what a spaniard would understand if you tell him-her 'ese café es regular (ni es bueno ni malo)' --> it is neither good nor bad).

[medicineman]

In Jersey, coffee regular is with milk and sugar.

[as2]

In the UK Regular coffee is one that you have every day, or on a regular basis.

[paul w]

Coffee is something people drink to stay regular...

[voodoo]

Originally Posted by angelmb 

A 'regular' coffee in Spain would be the one that would be classified between a coffee that tastes good and a coffee that tastes bad… OK, bad joke if you speak spanish (regular like being so-so)… but since I am not into coffee or any other weird drink for that matter, that joke was all I could say.

Hehe

Anyways, I don't think there is a term like 'regular' coffee in Spain. Not to my knowledge.. One ask for coffee and they ask 'solo'?

So yeah. Great coffee though. In the morning I drink a café con leche with sugar and then in the noon and afternoon it is cortado without sugar. MMmmmmMMM...



V

[ort888]

Yeah, when I was in Paris, I ordered coffee everywhere and it was always espresso. I was later informed that they don't drink "normal" coffee there. Since I like espresso, it wasn't a big deal.

Here in Missouri, a regular coffee is non-decaf.

You order a regular, and they bring it to you black with creamer and sugar on the side.

[Mediaman_12]

Originally Posted by as2 

In the UK Regular coffee is one that you have every day, or on a regular basis.

Also If you ordered 'coffee' in the UK you would get 1 of 2 things a) Garbage instant "coffee" with milk or b) coffee out of a filter machine with milk/cream in a little jug.
This is of course the norm NOT in an American style "Coffee Shop"

[Jawbone54]

Normal = Caffeinated in Louisiana

In NYC, normal coffee =

[paul w]

Originally Posted by Jawbone54 

In NYC, normal coffee =

Um, no.

[RAILhead]

In Texas, down where I live...

"Regular" means caffeinated.
"Decaf" means decaffeinated.
"Black" means no cream or sugar.
"With cream" means with cream.
"With sugar" means with sugar.