For many, coffee is part of our daily routine. Perhaps you made it part of your morining ritual to stop at your favourite coffee shop at lunch or on the way to work and order your beverage. Are you a flat-white frequenter, an americano stoic, or a Starbucks order that has enough customisation to require a PHD in barista? Regardless, your coffee order is unique to you and many people attach their choice to their personality. That may make a few people roll their eyes but in some countries, the way in which you enjoy coffee is tied to the culture's identity. Let's explore a few of these variations in how people enjoy their coffee to show how much diversity there is in the coffee culture around the world.
Ethiopia: Buna
Buna In Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, traditional coffee ceremonies are a distinguished part of the culture, with the brewing and serving process lasting up to two hours. Historically, buna, as coffee is called here, was served with salt or butter instead of sugar.
Greece: Frappé
The Greek frappé is a frothy iced drink made with Nescafé instant coffee, cold water, sugar and evaporated milk. It's best enjoyed in an outdoor cafe.
Austria: Mélange
Served in Viennese cafes, Austria’s traditional drink, mélange, is very similar to a cappuccino. It contains espresso and steamed milk and is topped with froth or, sometimes, whipped cream (which is what makes it different from a traditional cappuccino).
Mexico: Café de Olla
If you like cinnamon in your coffee, this is your drink. Spiced café de olla is brewed with cinnamon sticks in earthenware pots, which Mexicans swear brings out the coffee taste. Served in a cup with an orange peel.
Netherlands: Kaffe
Not to be confused with Amsterdam’s infamous coffee shops, coffee-serving cafes are a celebrated part of the Netherlands' culture. Also known as bakkie troost, the Dutch kaffe is enjoyed any time of day, usually comes black, and is served alongside a cookie.
Saudi Arabia: Kahwa
In Saudi Arabia and other Arab cultures, coffee ceremonies follow many rules of etiquette, including always serving the elders first. It is also a common custom to serve this cardamom-spiced drink with dried dates to counter the coffee’s bitterness.
Cuba: Café Cubano
Cubans like their coffee strong, whether it's first thing in the morning, after meals or at any chance they get throughout the day. An important part of the social fabric, the Cuban’s strong brew is served in shots and best enjoyed while socializing.
France: Café au Lait
The French begin the day with their café au lait –coffee with hot milk, served in a mug wide enough to allow the dunking of baguettes or croissants.
Denmark: Kaffee
Perhaps because of the cold, dark Scandinavian winters, coffee consumption in Denmark has always been some of the highest in the world. Coffee is such a vital part of the Danish culture that packed cafes can be found on nearly every corner, especially in cities such as Copenhagen.
Turkey: Türk Kahvesi
A famous Turkish proverb says that coffee should be "as black as hell, as strong as death and as sweet as love." This thick brew is usually served after meals from a long-handled copper pot called a cezve, accompanied by chewy Turkish candy. The beans are simmered in a pot and it is served with sugar if desired. Those who are superstitious say the grounds left after drinking Turkish coffee, can be used for fortune telling. The cup is turned over into the saucepan to cool off and the patterns created from the coffee grounds tell a story.
Italy: Espresso
You’ll surely get an eye roll or two if you order a to-go cup at an Italian cafe, for espresso is the Italians’ version of to-go coffee. This strong brew served in tiny cups is commonly sipped while standing at cafes. And don’t order a cappuccino late in the day in Italy, either — the only appropriate time to enjoy that particular drink is in the morning.
Austria: Kaisemelange
There many different kinds of traditional Austrian coffees. One of them is the Kaisemelange. The Kaisemelange consists of strong black coffee, an egg yolk and honey in a cup. The egg yolk is mixed with honey and while stirring, the strong black coffee is added in slowly. Kaisemelange is also popular in Scandinavia.
Finland : Kaffeost
The Fins have a great love for coffee. Coffee is considered a part of hospitality for people in Finland. A traditional coffee in Northern Finland is Kaffeost. Kaffeost is black coffee with chunks of cheese placed at the bottom of the coffee, to create something magical. The taste is said to be similar to Tiramisu, creating a dessert-like taste.
Vietnam: Café Sua Da
Coffee in Vietnam was introduced in 1857 by a French Catholic priest who arrived with a coffea arabica tree. The Cafe Sua Da is a traditional Vietnamese iced coffee. Cafe Sua Da is made by using coarse ground dark roasted Vietnamese coffee beans. A popular way to drink the coffee is with sweetened condensed milk.
Senegal: Café Touba
Cafe Touba is a Senegalese coffee prepared with Arabica coffee. The coffee beans are infused with cloves and a kind of Guinea black pepper. In the Senegalese culture, Touba is a healing beverage. Touba is great for stomach relief, acts as a natural anti-depressant and fights asthma and respiratory problems.
Ireland: Irish Coffee
The Irish Coffee was created in 1943 by accident and then became a Christmas drink but can be consumed all year round. Irish coffee consists of hot coffee, Irish whisky and it is topped with thick cream. The coffee has to be strong and the whisky must be Irish or else it isn’t much of an Irish Coffee.
Malaysia: Ipoh White Coffee
Ipoh white coffee is a traditional Malaysian coffee. The white coffee originates from a town called Ipoh Old Town, where Chinese immigrants worked at tin-mines. Many people believe the name comes from the colour of the coffee, but the name refers to the roasting process. The coffee beans are roasted with margarine and no sugar is added, giving it the lighter shade.
Coffee—A Tradition That Connects Us
Coffee has long been a tool for bringing people together across cultures and borders, whether through social rituals or work-related coffee meetings. From Ethiopia’s buna ceremonies to Greece’s frappé-filled afternoons, coffee is more than just a drink; it’s a connection.
In today’s work culture, the spirit of these global coffee traditions lives on. We belive in the power of these simple acts taking on more meaning and helping people build moments to connect with one another. If you are looking to leverage this tradition to help shape your workplace culture then using a platform like Dewdropz may just be what you are looking for. Help your teams bond and shape workplace culture over a simple cup of coffee. Explore how coffee pairing can bring diversity, connection, and a sense of togetherness to your workspace. After all, many a great idea has been started over a cup of coffee.
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