description Cimbalino Overview
Cimbalino is a colloquial Portuguese term for an espresso, particularly associated with the city of Porto. The word derives from La Cimbali, a brand of Italian espresso machines that were widely used in Portuguese cafés. In Portugal, ordering a cimbalino typically produces a small, strong espresso-style coffee served in a demitasse cup. The term reflects the cultural importance of espresso in Portuguese café culture, where it is often called um café or uma bica depending on the region.
help Cimbalino FAQ
What does “cimbalino” mean in Portugal?
Cimbalino is a colloquial Portuguese word for an espresso, especially associated with Porto. The term comes from La Cimbali, an Italian espresso-machine brand used in Portuguese cafés.
How is a cimbalino different from a Portuguese café?
A cimbalino is the espresso itself, while “café” is another common Portuguese way to order the same small, strong drink. In Porto, “cimbalino” is particularly associated with local café culture.
Why is the drink called cimbalino?
The name derives from La Cimbali, the Italian manufacturer of espresso machines. Portuguese café customers turned the machine brand into a colloquial name for the espresso it produced.
Is a cimbalino usually a large coffee with milk?
No. A traditional cimbalino is a small espresso served without the large volume of milk found in a galão or meia de leite. Its defining feature is the concentrated espresso serving associated with Portuguese cafés.
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