Our Coffee Problem

Both Daniel and I like a good cup of coffee in the morning and sometimes one in the late afternoon.

Even though Ecuador is a world coffee producer, we have found it hard to find a good cup, especially in smaller places. In very small towns it is impossible. In the kind of humble eating places we frequent for breakfast, you are usually offered "cafe con aqua" or "cafe con leche."

The former is a cup of hot water with a jar of instant coffee on the side. The latter is a cup of hot milk with instant coffee on the side. Instant coffee isn't undrinkable, but it doesn't come close to the real thing. Some places brew a big pot of coffee, but this is usually just as bad as instant.

We have learned to look for an espresso machine if we really want a good cup of coffee. If we don't see one it's hopeless. I have begun to opt for tea when I am offered "cafe con aqua" as a much better alternative.