I loved ordering melange in Wien, especially at Hotel Sacher with my slice of Sacher Torte. I was surprised at the small glass of water served with it--now I know the reason!

Reply

I just have a latte in the morning, but it is served on a small tray with a glass of water. I think the small glass of water is served more out of hospitality than anything medical. I remember reading an article that while caffeine can act as a diuretic, the effect is only noticable after very large amounts which would have you bouncing down the street anyway.

They did serve big pints of water with just about everything in Athens, but that's very hot and filled with smog in the summer.

Reply

Actually, it's been disputed whether the glass is to fight dehydration. According to various sources, coffee does in fact not dehydrate the body, and the glass of water is served in order to clean the palate so the coffee tastes best.

But I share your opinion on the Melange, it's what I order most of the time too.

Reply

Given my last trip through Vienna, which was years ago, it was a touch watered down for my tastes. Which also probably explains why non-coffee drinkers would definitely like the Viennese melange: it's a coffee drink that's well-suited for those who don't like coffee all that much.

Starbucks has made billions on the concept of making millions of people who don't like coffee believe that they actually do. (Genius, really.) So the comparison is definitely appropriate here.

Vienna has a great deal of café culture and history. Unfortunately, that reputation seems earned more for the place than for the quality of the beverage it serves. But the coffee there still beats the pants off of much of Europe and the Americas.

Reply

The Melange is popular at the Julius Meinl coffee houses in Chicago. They also have the best food you'll ever find in a coffee house!

Reply