Café Cortado: The Smoothed Espresso
Café Cortado is a classic drink in Spain and very popular in Barcelona. Its name comes from the Spanish word "cortar", as it consists of a "cut" espresso with a little milk to soften its intensity. It is served in small portions, maintaining the full-bodied flavor of the coffee, but with a more balanced touch.
Its origins date back to Spanish coffee shops in the 20th century, when customers asked for a less strong espresso, but without losing the essence of pure coffee. Unlike coffee with milk, which has a greater quantity of milk, the cortado maintains the predominance of coffee, only being softened.
In Barcelona, the café cortado is a frequent choice among locals, ideal for a quick coffee in the morning or afternoon, often accompanied by a croissant or a slice of bread with tomato (pa amb tomàquet). Whether in traditional or modern coffee shops, ordering a cortado is to immerse yourself in the authentic Catalan habit of enjoying a good coffee in a practical and tasty way.
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