A Guide to Bica Coffee: Stunning Sweet Portuguese Espresso

The Bica is Portugal’s most popular coffee. Let’s find out why it’s so beloved.

The Bica coffee is so common in Portugal that in most regions it’s what you’ll get if you simply order coffee – um café. Always served in a demitasse cup, it’s Portugal’s answer to Italian espresso. But it’s a drink all its own, with a unique flavor profile and mouthfeel.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about Bica coffee, from its origins to an easy recipe to try at home.

What Is A Bica Coffee?

Bica coffee comes from Portugal, where it serves roughly the same role as espresso in Italy – both as a drink itself and a foundation for more complicated coffee recipes, like the café com cheirinho.

The standalone Bica is a long espresso shot, similar to the Italian lungo, and traditionally prepared with a slightly lighter roast coffee than its Italian counterpart. It is typically brewed with Robusta coffee beans or a Robusta-Arabica blend.

It is usually served heavily sweetened or with a packet of white sugar on the side – a means of balancing the bitter and sour notes of Robusta coffee (1).

Similar to espresso, Bica coffee is served very strong and generally consumed quickly. It is a popular morning drink, but it is not unusual to see coffee lovers sipping it all day long.

What Does Bica Mean?

The origin of the name Bica for this drink, like many things in coffee history, is murky and up for debate. The most common story is that it is an acronym for “beba isto com açúcar,” which means, “drink this with sugar.” It references the fact that adding sugar was a must to properly balance the flavors.

Another legend suggests the term “Bica” comes from the way that this type of coffee falls into a cup on a tray from an espresso machine, which is analogous to the Portuguese words for “fountain” or “water spring” to capture liquid flowing. 

For a quick guide on how to order coffee in Portugal, check out this YouTube video: https://youtu.be/IelixgcGj1w

What Is The Difference Between Portuguese Espresso And Italian Espresso?

The main difference between Portuguese and Italian espresso is that the Portuguese Bica has a larger extraction volume – making it more akin to an Italian lungo. Additionally, it is common for Portuguese espresso to be prepared using a slightly lighter roast. This results in a more nuanced flavor profile, with brighter notes of fruit and acidity (2).

Arabica-Robusta coffee bean blends are common in both Italy and Portugal. However, you are more likely to find espresso made from pure Arabica in Italy, particularly in the northern part of the country.

How Do You Make Bica Coffee (aka Portuguese Espresso)?

Making a Bica coffee at home is easy if you already know how to use an espresso machine. Try to source a medium-roasted Portuguese espresso blend of Arabica and Robusta beans for the most authentic flavor.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:

1. Grind 8 to 10 grams of Portuguese coffee to a fine espresso grind.
2. Use your espresso maker to pull a long shot, roughly 1.5 to 2 ounces.
3. Sweeten with ½ to 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar, to taste.

Try our Mazagran coffee recipe for a delicious iced coffee variation. The Portuguese version of the recipe enhances Bica coffee with lemon, mint, and white rum. Or check out this list of coffee drinks from different parts of the world for more creative ideas.

Final Thoughts

Bica coffee is a small and sweet espresso treat that comes from Portugal, where it is the most common coffee order. Typically prepared from a not-too-dark blend of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans, it has a bold but still nuanced flavor profile that will intrigue any espresso lover. If you’re looking to add a little variety to your espresso routine, give the Bica a try!