| Portugese
Food |
Eating
in Portugal can be a joy. The food is wholesome, it comes in
large helpings and is usually inexpensive. Fish would dominate
the menu of a typical restaurant, but should not leave Portugal
without trying Pork Portugese Style and Chicken Piri Piri. Most
dishes are accompanied by boiled potatoes and salad.
Perhaps the region greatest
claim to culinary fame is its sweets and pastries. Figs and
almonds, a legacy of Portugal's Moorish past features strongly
here. |
| Beer |
The
local beer is Sagres which is becoming less common. Beer tends
to be fairly strong in alcohol content around 5% abv. The
portugese word for beer is cerveja. |
| Wine |
Portugese
wine is generally not as well known as it should be. The very
best wines tend not to be exported so Portugal offers an
excellent opportunity to drink well and inexpensively. Lagoa on
a few mile west of Armacao de Pera is the centre of the Algarves
wine producing region and the location of the wine collective. |
| Port |
Port
is not produced in southern Portugal but it can be bought very
cheaply in comparison with prices in the UK. A 20 year old
vintage Port would typically cost around £20 (about half the UK
price) |
| Coffee |
Coffee
is a serious pastime for the Portugese and there are several
ways it can be served. Uma bica is a small and very strong black
coffee like an espresso and typically together with agua mineral
(mineral water). Mineral water can be still (sem gas) or
sparkling (com gas). Um garota is a small white coffee and uma
meia de leite is a larger coffee made with milk |
| Tipping |
Most
restaurant bills include a service charge; a small tip (10%) for
a meal or taxi will be appreciated, but is not essential. |
