Oman dining: A coffee shop primer

Lifestyle Monday 30/January/2017 15:41 PM
By: Times News Service
Oman dining: A coffee shop primer

While many boast about being coffee aficionados, how many actually know what the difference is between our favourite espresso drinks? Why order a latte instead of a cappuccino? What is a mocha exactly? My own questioning began after interviewing a renowned chef who was trying to explain to me the science of cooking. As an example, he pointed out that all coffee comes from coffee beans, but when different types of coffees are roasted under different temperatures, ground to different consistencies, and brewed with varying levels of water, the result was a bounty of speciality coffee drinks. Intrigued, I set out to learn more.
Espresso
The darkest of all, an espresso is made by forcing water at high pressure onto a bed of ground coffee beans. An espresso, if perfectly made, has thick golden-brown foam at surface and is consumed in 20-30ml shots. Of course you can always go for double espresso for an extra boost.
Americano
Basically a diluted espresso, this drink is a shot of espresso mixed with a cup of hot water for a morning beverage called a long black or an americano, perhaps in reference to this drink’s resemblance to American-style drip coffee.
Cappuccino
A perfect cappuccino is a balanced combination of espresso, milk, and froth. It is extremely foamy and is one of the most common coffee drinks, typically served in a mug.
Latte
Similar to cappuccino, a latte is less foamy and contains more milk as it is a single shot of espresso and steamed milk traditionally served in a tall glass
Mocha
Espresso and steamed milk with unsweetened coco powder is known as a mocha. However, these days the drink most often is a touch sweet, with chocolate syrup or sweet chocolate powder being used.
[email protected]

Here are some of the popular cafes in Oman that serve most of these variants:

Caffe Vergnano 1882
Oman Avenues Mall; +968 2312 3456
Assarain Complex; +968 2469 2370

Starbucks
Beach Road Corniche; + 968 2230 0169
Oman Avenues Mall; + 968 2230 0159
Jawaharat Al Shatti; +968 2230 0171
City Centre Muscat, Qurum; +968 2230 0161
The Wave; +968 2230 0173

Second Cup
Al Qurum Complex; +968 24566616
Oasis by the Sea, Shatti; +968 24699951
Omantel Head Office, Ghubra; +968 24445988
Bareeq Al Shatti; +968 2469 7776
HSBC, Al Khuwair; +968 93990175
Oman Arab Bank, Ghubra; +968 9399 0177

Costa Coffee
MBD, Ruwi; +968 2479 3169
Muscat Grand Mall; + 968 2200 6633
City Centre, Qurum; +968 2447 0609

Caribou Café
Oman Avenues Mall; +968 2469 7111
Bareeq Al Shatti; +968 24694473

Tim Hortons
Muscat City Centre; +968 2455 8888
Muscat Grand Mall; +968 9099 1035

Lino’s Coffee, Qurum; +968 2460 4969