Did you know there are more than 100 different species of coffee plants?! 
However only two are mainly used for drinking: 

• Coffea Arabica (also called Arabic coffee) – is thought to produce the best coffee beans and accounts for around 60% of coffee produced in the world.
• Coffea Canephora (most known as Coffea Robusta) – is easier to care for and is cheaper to produce, it is often used to make instant coffee or a mix. Be careful though as it has between double and triple the amount of caffeine as Arabica as well as more heavy materials. Robusta accounts for around a third of the world’s coffee.

Coffee the Málaga way

Málaga is a unique, interesting and vibrant city. In fact, it is one of the oldest cities in the world! Coffee is extremely important to Malagueños (people who live in Málaga). So much so they invented their own special way of ordering it.

When you go into a café in Málaga, you will find up to nine different names (solo, shadow, cloud, short, half and half, etc.) which are based on the amount of milk to coffee ratio you would like.

The special names for these different strengths of coffee started in the legendary Café Central in Málaga, which was founded in the early twentieth century. The Prado family has been running the café since 1954.

During the post war period, coffee was very expensive and the owner at the time, José Prado Crespo, launched these different names of coffee to prevent beverages being wasted if it wasn’t to the customers liking. José had no idea these measurement names and the picture he created, and made into a tile mosaic on the wall in his café, would become so famous over time. Many people would travel to the café just to get their photo taken with the mosaic.

José created the list of drinks after realising that quite often the customers would show how strong they wanted their coffee by placing their fingers on the cup, indicating the ratio of coffee to milk. He came up with nine different quantities, however he needed an even number for his design, one of the waiters came up with the idea ‘No me pongas nada’ meaning ‘Don’t bother’. It was said as a joke, as José loves a good joke he included it in his design, represented with an empty glass which completed the set.

Para que usted tome el café a su gusto (for you to have the coffee as you like it).

Solo (Black): 100% coffee.

Largo (Extra Strong): 90% coffee, 10% milk.

Semilargo (Strong): 80% coffee, 20% milk.

Solo Corto (Expresso): 60% coffee, 40% milk.

Mitad (Half And Half): 50% coffee, 50% milk.

Entrecorto (Semi-Short): 40% coffee, 60% milk.

Corto (Short): 30% coffee, 70% milk.

Sombra (Shadow): 20% coffee, 80% milk.

Nube (Cloud): 10% coffee, 90% milk.

No Me Pongas Nada (Don’t bother): 100% milk

Unfortunately, at the beginning of 2022 the current owner, Rafael Prado, José son, retired and closed the business. “The decision has been very difficult to make because the Central is not just a company, it is a legacy” Rafael said.

But fear not, there are still plenty of Cafés in Málaga to enjoy!

Also be aware that this way of ordering your coffee is specific to Málaga, these special names are not usually found in the rest of Spain, so if you leave the province and ask for a cloud (nube) or a shadow (sombra), whoever is serving you might look a little puzzled.

Coffee outside of central Málaga

Throughout Spain, there are many different types of coffee. One of the most widely consumed, is the Americano which is made by adding hot water to an espresso. This gives you a similar flavour to traditionally brewed coffee but you can adjust the strength depending on how many shots of espresso you have and how much water is added.

When it comes to milk, you can indicate the temperature you would like it to be, which may be fría (cold), caliente (hot) or templada (warm). If it’s really hot and you fancy a cold coffee, you can order it with ice (frappacino).

There is one final popular variety for finding some extra energy early in the morning called ‘carajillo’, which is coffee with alcohol. It is traditionally made with three parts coffee and one part liquor. The most common carajillos are espresso with either brandy, anisette, rum, aguardiente or licor 43, which is a sweet liqueur from Cartagena.

The name carajillo is thought to come from the Spanish word coraje, which means courage. The drink was given to laborers in the morning to give them courage and energy so they could start their day of gruelling and often dangerous work. 

So how do you like your coffee?

Why not visit Málaga and see which ratio you prefer! You will find a café that makes the perfect coffee just the way you like it. Part of the fun is going to new places and new cafés, meeting new people and enjoying different views and atmospheres.

If you are a coffee lover then Málaga is the place to be. If you are looking for property to buy in the Málaga region then we would love to help you, we can even share our favourite cafés with you, but shhhhhh, don’t tell everyone or they’ll be no seats left for us!

Simply fill in our contact form or call us on (+34) 951 242 157.

Disfruta su café!