The Coffee Glass That Divides Bar Patrons

Coffee in a Glass and Churros: The Breakfast Some Idolize and Others Detest

A breakfast shouldn't cause such a stir. Simply serving coffee in a glass, adding some churros and industrial pastries, and placing it all on a black marble counter is enough to set patrons at each other's throats. This breakfast scene, with napkins scattered on the floor, reopens an old war: the one between the glass and the mug. And no, it's not a trivial argument.

Why Does Coffee in a Glass Offend So Many People?

Some interpret it as a declaration of intent: if it's served in a glass, the bar doesn't respect you. It is, they say, the warning sign that appears before any other, and once seen, you can never look at the menu the same way again. On the other hand, another group barely remembers experiencing it this way. Some argue that glasses are easier to wash and avoid surprises on the rim of a mug.

Is it a Geographical or Quality Issue?

The further south you go, the more common it is. In Cadiz, one theory suggests, almost no bar uses mugs and everything is served in a glass. Others point out that in coffee shops where torrefacto coffee isn't served, it's usually in a large mug. Behind the choice of container lies the usual suspects: torrefacto (dark-roasted coffee) and price, with some considering it an abuse to pay over two euros for that tray.

For the nostalgic, the experience is incomplete without a cigarette or a traditional cigarillo.

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With so many fronts open, the underlying question remains: is the glass a tradition or a warning? And how much should such a breakfast cost without anyone feeling ripped off?