marshmallows and macchiatos in Mainz

I saw the culprit at breakfast this morning at my hotel in Mainz - the long life milk carton sitting next to the instant coffee jar. This would explain the strange taste of the lattes I have endured. I have arrived in Mainz after a most enjoyable boat cruise along the Rhine River from Koblenz. After my bad coffee experience at breakfast I was well and truly ready for a shot of espresso so I hit the pavements. I wandered down to the picturesque old town of Mainz and came upon it - a Lavazza coffee sign over a small espresso bar. In I went and perched up on a stool and perused the coffee selections. There it was again. It was either a small macchiato or yes, a macchiato latte. Ha! I wasn't going to be fooled this time.
I ordered the small variety and thought well at least I will get a shot of Lavazza espresso. The macchiato came in a cute Lavazza glass and was just what I needed, if a little bitter. Dogs are everywhere in Germany and here was no exception. There were two giant Golden Retrievers spread out and snoozing taking up much of the floor space!
Being in no hurry I did some further surveillance and noted that the latte glasses on top of the coffee machine were not as huge as those I'd encountered so yes dear reader, I was drawn again to try the macchiato latte!
The picture says it all. This was another example of the Marshmallow Latte. I note the coffee is always poured from a metal jug and added to the milk and the result...A mountainous eruption of foaming milk over the top of the glass that clings to the nose and upper lip and a small layer of bitter espresso beneath. Well I am beaten. The macchiato latte had seduced me yet again and I was the one who came off second best. Never Again!
I fly back to Australia tomorrow. Needless to say, a decent caffe latte will be high on my list of priorities!

marshmallow latte

I must now share with you another strange variation of the caffe latte, experienced at a cafe on a recent trip to Brisbane. I call this the Marshmallow latte.

It was served in a larger than average glass and sitting on top was a mountainous ball of foam that rose like a giant white marshmallow over the rim of the glass. Sitting in the middle of this white mass was a mysterious brown nipple-like spot where it would appear extra coffee was poured later through the centre of the white foam mound.

My first sip came as a shock as due to the protrusion of the foam over the top of the glass, it had become cold and unpalatable. The scorching coffee that made its way through this thick white mass was watery and weak. A truly forgettable latte experience!