Expert: Cintia - 5/25/2004

Question
Do the people of Argentina eat a lot of donuts?
Do the people of Argentina drink a lot of coffee?

Answer
Dear Laura,

Thanks for your question.

Argentinians do not eat donuts. Basically, it is not part of our culture, and the equivalent to donuts could probably be something called FACTURAS, sort of pastries you can eat just alone or together with your tea or coffee. To give you a better idea, DUNKIN DONUTS went out of business in Argentina because people didnīt go to their stores.

Argentinians do drink a lot of coffee. Mainly, the coffee comes from Brazil and Colombia, and this is definitely part of our culture. It has to do with social life: there are lots of cafes everywhere (in Buenos Aires we say that there is a cafe in each corner) and we like to have some coffee before going to work or in the afternoon, before getting back home. If you come to Argentina, you will see that the cafes are always full of people. In 99% of the places, you will find espresso, that is why our coffee is so good and tourists find it so delicious. A cup of coffee costs approx. $2 pesos, i.e. USD 0.70.  
We also like to have CAFE CON LECHE which I think you call it "LATTE" or AU LAIT. In some places it is half coffee and half milk, in others it is more coffee than milk. Something that we do not have is the HALF & HALF that people have in the States.

I hope this has answered your questions.

Kind regards,

Cintia
Buenos Aires, Argentina