If you are looking for cups at the breakfast table in France, you make have to keep looking. French etiquette says that at breakfast, you should be drinking your coffee in a bowl.
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The first time I came across it,
And it was a bowl the size of a cereal bowl. I had many questions. How was this possibly practical? Did the French drink tea out of a bowl as well? All the liquid was going to be sloshing about, and wouldn’t the bowl be too hot to hold without a handle? Plus, it would get colder faster! It was clear that I needed to investigate further.
Morning Ritual
Another aspect of the French insisting on living the Art de Vivre, even during breakfast. Le sigh.
☞ READ MORE: French etiquette: Do’s and Don’ts of Dining
Now, I should point out drinking tea or coffee out of a large bowl in France, usually only happens at breakfast.
The French still serve coffee the rest of the time, inespresso-style in a cup the size of a shot glass. French children thoughwilldrink their afternoon serving of milk in a bowl.
The Café au Lait bowl
So if you have ever noticed a sign saying café au lait bowl, it is these types of breakfast coffee bowls. Café au lait literally means coffee with milk.
They are usually slightly smaller than cereal bowls, but not always. Just depends on how much coffee you need in the morning. You can buy a set of café au lait bowls here.
The typical French breakfast
So in case you were wondering what typical French person eats for breakfast, I’m sad to inform that it is does not involve croissants. The stereotypicalFrench breakfastis a hot coffee or tea in a bowl, with a piece of bread (baguette) to dip in to, or a tartine.
Tartine is just a fancy way of saying a piece of bread, slathered with butter and/or jam. Cereal is not that common, and neither are things like French toasts or crêpes.
Savory crêpes with ham, cheese, and mushrooms as an example, are a full meal and are usually served with cider. Not the sort of thing you want at 7am. And sweet crêpes like the crêpe suzette is a dessert.
Savory cakes, on the other hand, are sometimes served in slices for breakfast, assuming someone has baked them the night before.
Adapting to French breakfast rules
Even though I now had an explanation for the bowls, I was not sure I wanted to adopt this habit. French etiquette may have its rules, but give me a giant mug any day. I can hold that with both hands!
If you are living in France though, this too will confound you: finding giant mugs in France is very difficult. It is not the norm since tea is not as common, and coffee is drunk as
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If you enjoyed that article, you can read more about ordering coffee in France. (Rhere is a bit of vocabulary to learn if you don’t like espresso!) A bientôt!
The article delves into French breakfast customs, particularly the tradition of drinking coffee or tea from bowls instead of cups. This practice is deeply rooted in French etiquette and cultural rituals, emphasizing the "Art de Vivre," or the art of living. Here's a breakdown of the concepts and topics covered:
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French Breakfast Etiquette: Explains the tradition of drinking coffee or tea from bowls during breakfast in France. It highlights the significance of savoring each sip, being fully present in the moment, and even children drinking from bowls once they've outgrown their sippy cups.
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Café au Lait Bowls: Describes the specific bowls used for serving coffee with milk during breakfast, often slightly smaller than cereal bowls. They're designed for the morning coffee ritual and can be purchased as a set.
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Typical French Breakfast: Contrary to the stereotype, a typical French breakfast usually involves hot coffee or tea in a bowl accompanied by bread (like baguette) for dipping or a tartine (bread with butter and/or jam). Cereal, French toasts, or sweet crêpes are less common.
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Savory Crêpes: Mentions that savory crêpes with fillings like ham, cheese, and mushrooms are considered a full meal, usually served with cider, but they aren't typical for breakfast due to their heaviness.
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Adapting to French Breakfast Rules: Expresses the writer's initial reluctance to adopt the bowl-drinking habit and the challenge of finding large mugs in France, given the prevalence of espresso-sized cups for coffee.
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Personal Solution: Shares the writer's adaptation by using a bowl for breakfast but opting for a stainless steel thermos for the rest of the day to keep the coffee hot and prevent spills.
The article provides insights into French morning rituals, breakfast preferences, and the cultural nuances associated with beverage consumption in France. It touches on the challenges of adapting to local customs and finding suitable drinkware while accommodating personal preferences. Additionally, it offers further reading on ordering coffee in France and learning related vocabulary, extending the exploration of French coffee culture.
