Bica (coffee)


Bica is the term commonly used in certain areas of Portugal for a "café" that is similar to espresso, but extracted to a greater volume than its Italian counterpart and a little bit smoother in taste, due to the Portuguese roasting process being slightly lighter than the Italian one.
In almost all regions in Portugal, it is simply called 'um café' and always served in a Demitasse cup.
The name bica originates from the way the coffee flows, falling from the espresso machine to the cup on the tray, an analogy with a water spring or fountain, both can also be called bica in Portuguese.

History

The A Brasileira coffeehouse was opened by Adriano Telles on 19 November 1905 at No.122, to sell "genuine Brazilian coffee" from the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, a product generally unappreciated in homes of Lisboetas of that period. In order to promote his product, Telles offered each shopper who bought a kilogram of ground coffee a free cup of coffee. It was the first shop to sell the "bica", a small cup of strong coffee, similar to espresso, with fresh goat milk from nearby farms.
There's a belief among many locals that states "Bica" as an acronym for "Beba isso com açúcar", which literally means "Drink this with sugar".

Outside Portugal

Following mass immigration post-World War II, Bica coffee is now served in Montreal and other centers of Portuguese migration abroad, namely Fall River, New Bedford, Toronto, and East Providence, RI.