Coffee is a popular drink around the world with every country serving its very own version. In lots of places, the local method of serving or consuming coffee is steeped in rich culture and tradition. Therefore, researching the coffee culture of the country teaches visitors concerning the country itself.
These 10 countries have unique coffee cultures which are sure to excite travelers’ taste buds. Discover what means they are various and what drink to buy when visiting for an authentic experience.
10 Vietnam
In Vietnam, coffee isn’t only a drink to start the day; it’s something people enjoy morning, at noon, as well as at night. Vietnam has the best coffee in the world and offers two unique beverages every traveler should try while visiting. Vietnamese iced coffee consists of medium or dark roast coffee over ice, combined with condensed milk. It’s an ideal refreshment for a hot day.
Another unique coffee order that shouldn’t be overlooked when visiting Vietnam is egg coffee. This delicious, creamy hot drink is made by combining egg yolk with condensed milk to create a frothy accessory for a cup of coffee.
9 Greece
Greece has incredible coffee culture while offering a unique taste for those who like to drink their caffeinated beverages hot or cold. Traditional Greek coffee is made with a strong brew using finely ground beans. The drink is unfiltered, so the grounds are at the foot of the cup and there is a nice layer of froth on top.
For those who prefer an iced drink, the Greek frappé (also known as a Nescafé frappé) is a must-try. This cold drink contains milk, sugar, ice, and instant coffee.
8 Sweden
Sweden is an excellent place to go for coffee enthusiasts, especially since Swedes have one of the highest levels of coffee consumption per capita in the world. Swedish people enjoy an exercise called Fika, which describes a coffee break where individuals gather and socialize on the drink and a bite to eat.
Swedish Lapland also offers a distinctive coffee tradition referred to as Kaffeost. In northern Scandinavia, Kaffeost means “coffee cheese”. The name might seem strange to some, but it's common in northern Sweden to dip cheese into a cup of coffee before eating it.
7 Mexico
Mexican coffee culture is not as widely known as some other nations’ traditions, but the taste is unlike any other coffee in the world. Mexicans benefit from the traditional beverage called Café de Olla, which is spiced coffee. It’s prepared in a clay pot, that is in which the name comes from.
The coffee is sweetened with piloncillo, and then it’s spiced with cloves, star anise, and cinnamon. The cinnamon flavor comes through strongly when sipping a mug of a Café de Olla, which makes it ideal for an awesome morning.
6 Indonesia
Indonesia includes a true one-of-a-kind coffee experience for travelers to try when visiting Southeast Asia. Kopi Luwak describes coffee produced from partially digested beans that are went by a civet cat. Among tourists, it has earned the nickname “poop coffee”.
The civet cat eats the coffee cherries and doesn’t eat the bean, therefore it poops the bean back out by having an enhanced flavor.
5 Australia
The land down under has high standards for a cup of coffee, so travelers must see exactly what the fuss is all about when visiting. Australians come with an abundance of locally-owned coffee houses to choose from instead of flocking to massive chains like Starbucks, as Americans commonly do. Instead, Australians enjoy specialty roasts in smaller sizes and are typically stronger than coffee in the usa. Additionally they add fewer sweeteners.
When in Australia, order a set white to have an authentic taste of the local coffee culture. This drink contains two espresso shots with foam and steamed milk on the top.
4 Italy
Italy is integral around the world coffee scene. It’s the birthplace of the cappuccino and the world-famous espresso came from Milan. In many ways, Italy may be the coffee capital of the world so coffee connoisseurs visiting this beautiful country should get a taste of those beverages in their homeland.
When ordering a coffee in Italy, espresso may be the default. Should you request a cup of coffee, you’ll receive an espresso shot. People typically drink these right in the counter, just like a bar, instead of taking a table. In the morning in Italy, order a cappuccino along with a croissant to have an authentic experience.
3 France
France might not be on many people’s radar as a country with exceptional coffee culture, however it ought to be. In france they are responsible for this wonderful drink referred to as Café au lait, and every traveler should order this once while visiting Paris.
Café au lait is coffee with hot milk, which is diverse from coffee with regular milk. In France, they call that “white coffee”. Café au lait also is different from a latte since the ratio of coffee to milk isn’t exactly the same. A latte has a 2 to at least one ratio of milk to coffee while Café au lait includes a 1 to 1 ratio.
2 Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known for its coffee beans, but that’s only some of the advantage the nation has in the coffee department. Costa Ricans have a traditional method of brewing coffee called a chorreador. The chorreador includes a sock-like bag that hangs on a wooden stand and allows warm water to pour through to just one cup while filtering the grounds. The classic method of brewing Costa Rican coffee is reminiscent of the North American “pour-over” coffee that has become popular recently.
Ordering a café chorreador while visiting Panama and nicaragua , is the best method of getting an idea of what the neighborhood coffee culture is about.
1 Turkey
Turkish coffee bears many similarities to Greek coffee in how it’s made and the small serving size. However, the function of coffee in Turkish culture is more ritualistic and centers around friendship and hospitality. Freshly roasted, high-quality beans are ground to some fine powder and then added to a pot with cold water and often sugar. The pot is positioned on heat and brewed slowly, so a layer of foam develops on top of the coffee. The coffee is served with a glass water along with a piece of Turkish delight.
The ritual of brewing coffee properly is handed down through families, as are the etiquettes associated with this practice. For instance, guests should drink from more elaborate cups than the host to honor them. Seated for an authentic cup of Turkish coffee when visiting Turkey will give you travelers with a totally new appreciation for the cultural and spiritual properties of the beverage.
