# Is it gauche to put cream in espresso? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 5, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711 "2009-10-05T18:58:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/21 "2009-10-06T13:41:27Z")
For the OP: I second, third, whatever the calls to – if you haven’t – first try real espresso (as opposed to just strong coffee) plain and see if you like that. As far as adding cream to espresso, the reason it might be considered gauche is that more than a couple drops are going to drown the espresso flavor, and the result won’t taste much different than regular brewed coffee with cream. Now whether it’s gauche to pay extra for espresso when you won’t taste the difference is up to you. > [@Belrix](#): > > According to the above referenced wiki page for Espresso, I might want to try a “latte machiatto” but I’m afraid I’m gonna get the Starbuck’s caramel thingee. I was in a coffee shop that had both “Traditional Machiatto” and “Machiatto” on the menu, because Starbucks/Dunkin’ Donuts had taught too many people that Machiatto meant ‘small amount of coffee used to justify excessive whipped cream and sugar’, as opposed to ‘espresso marked with a little foamed milk on top’. So saying ‘macchiatto tradizionale, per favore’ might get you both style points and your desired espresso with a dollop of steamed milk. Or at least make the barista confirm what you want. > [@](#): > > What about condensed milk? Is that a viable option for espresso or coffee? I thought that was indeed a Mexican thing. Can be handy both because you don’ t have to seperately add sugar, and because condensed milk keeps a lot longer than cream in the fridge. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2009, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/22 "2009-10-06T17:20:54Z")
Who cares if it’s gauche? …ok, you do or you wouldn’t have asked. 😃 I guess the question is: _WHY_ do you care if it’s gauche? As long as you like the end result and realize that you may be missing some of the experience\*, it’s no-one else’s business \*For example: Well-done steak: you’re losing flavors that are cooked out. This is objective fact. That you may not like those flavors and prefer it well-done is opinion and perfectly valid. Same deal with expresso–I usually put a few drops of cream in with the expresso. I don’t care that I’m probably muting some of the flavor-notes, it tastes better to me that way. ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/23 "2009-10-07T01:18:06Z")
Not gauche, but it is pretty sinister. ---
**Author:** ![Brainiac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8797f3/32.png) [@Brainiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainiac)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/24 "2009-10-07T01:42:11Z")
I think it’s fine. Espresso is overrated. I’ve had plenty foisted on me but I would never order it. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/25 "2009-10-07T15:28:38Z")
I don’t think it’s gauche at all. If someone says it is, that’s like saying that preferring pepperoni and mozarella on your pizza over goat cheese and roasted vegetables is childlike. I wouldn’t worry about it at all. Just sit back and enjoy your coffee. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/26 "2009-10-07T15:36:10Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > For the OP: I second, third, whatever the calls to – if you haven’t – first try real espresso (as opposed to just strong coffee) plain and see if you like that. > > As far as adding cream to espresso, the reason it might be considered gauche is that more than a couple drops are going to drown the espresso flavor, and the result won’t taste much different than regular brewed coffee with cream. Now whether it’s gauche to pay extra for espresso when you won’t taste the difference is up to you. Do you speak from experience here? I think that espresso has a flavor very different from regular drip-brewed coffee; as others have mentioned, it’s less acidic. There’s a definite difference in flavor between a cafe au lait and a latte, and the only difference between the two drinks is whether the coffee is drip-brewed or steam-expressed. If someone likes the flavor of espresso with milk, cream, or dissolved Gummi bears, it’s none of my business. And the true sophisticate orders what he wants without giving two craps about anyone else’s opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/27 "2009-10-07T16:37:46Z")
If you want to get hoity-toity about it, yes, ordering an espresso and then putting cream in it is gauche. People have mentioned other espresso-based drinks you can try. Here’s a run-down of everything I can think of: **Americano** : Espresso diluted with hot water **Breve** : Espresso with half-and-half **Cappucino** : Espresso with steamed milk, including foam **Latte** : Espresso with steamed milk, no foam **Caffe Macchiato** : Espresso with a small amount of foam (from steamed milk) or steamed milk I’d say you should try an americano, breve, or caffe macchiato. None of these drinks should get you into trouble if your barista knows the basics, which they should in any independent coffeeshop. I can’t speak for a chain like Starbucks. ---
**Author:** ![TheMadHun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@TheMadHun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMadHun)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/28 "2009-10-07T17:54:11Z")
I’ve had espresso in Italy, Turkey, and Brazil, and it is just as unlovable there as here, but they all leave far more grounds in the demitasse to grit up your lips. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2009, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/29 "2009-10-07T18:01:02Z")
> [@Svejk\_1](#): > > Not gauche, but it is pretty sinister. Yeah, it’s quite Bond villain. But not in a good way. ---
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/30 "2009-10-15T18:04:31Z")
> [@Belrix](#): > > The subject pretty much says it all. I don’t like my coffee too acidic and adding cream is a way to cut the acid. Yet I do like the taste of very strong coffee. The solution seems to be to get an espresso and put a dollop of cream in it. > > I guess I don’t want to appear to be a coffee weakling, though. > > So is it low-class proletariat behavior to put cream in espresso? Ummm…all you are missing is a skirt. If you can’t take it strong, go drink a caramel machiato frappucino dilletanto. I don’t even want a twist of anything in my espresso (unless it’s a twist of more espresso). Just my LTHO. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/31 "2009-10-15T18:42:53Z")
> [@Svejk\_1](#): > > Not gauche, but it is pretty sinister. Well played, sir. ---
**Author:** ![miked30](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@miked30](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miked30)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/32 "2017-12-08T20:33:11Z")
i had to put a little cream in my espresso, it’s really strong ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/33 "2017-12-08T22:22:12Z")
Life is too short to worry about what others think about such a small detail - you drink coffee because you want to, you don’t drink it to gain approval from other snowflakes so screw them. Besides, its really very bad manners to look down on another person for something like this - so their approval is worthless ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/34 "2017-12-08T22:59:49Z")
Espresso that’s been sitting around since 2009 probably needs to be dumped, not dressed up with cream. Otherwise, while I agree that a good espresso doesn’t need any additives, I am aware that the chances of finding a good espresso at most chain coffee places in the US is virtually nil (I’m looking at _you_, Starbucks!) so go ahead and dress it up however you like to make it drinkable. Or stop by my place and I’ll make you a Godshot ristretto (all the coffee beans, half the water of an espresso) and you’ll not settle for less than that again. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/35 "2017-12-08T23:36:53Z")
> [@tr0psn4j](#): > > What about condensed milk? Is that a viable option for espresso or coffee? Known around these parts as Vietnamese coffee, can be either hot or cold and is very, very excellent. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2017, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/36 "2017-12-09T03:13:36Z")
> [@tr0psn4j](#): > > What about condensed milk? Is that a viable option for espresso or coffee? Kopi (Malaysia). Either iced or warm (not really hot). For some reason, a few people use unsweetened condensed milk (Kopi C), but sweetened condensed milk is what you expect if you just order Kopi. It’s not really “coffee” either: it’s a sweet milk drink flavoured with coffee. Malaysians also like Milo – a sweet milky chocolate drink. Milo and the condensed milk are a legacy of colonialism. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2017, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/37 "2017-12-09T14:48:34Z")
In a French Caribbean café a waitress approached us, and overhearing our conversation in English, condescendingly asked, “Café Americano”? I sorta sneered and answered, “espresso, S’il vous plaît”. From that point on she treated us very well. ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/38 "2017-12-10T02:00:02Z")
> [@tr0psn4j](#): > > What about condensed milk? Is that a viable option for espresso or coffee? I love the flavor of condensed milk in coffee, or not. But family tells me I was weaned on condensed milk so I must enjoy the nostalgia. (Yes, I am quite old.) ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/39 "2017-12-10T03:00:56Z")
Is it ganache to put espresso in cream (chocolate and butter also)? ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711/40 "2017-12-10T09:21:25Z")
As I understand it, these days the really cosmopolitan zombies get that by ordering a “flat white.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-gauche-to-put-cream-in-espresso/512711.md?page=3)