Coffee Traditions from around the World

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about how coffee plays an important role in my morning routine. Without it, something is always missing. After writing it, it got me thinking about the role coffee plays in other cultures and how certain areas of the world regard the beverage as an important pillar of life (whereas tea is important in other areas of the world). A book that goes down the rabbit hole on this is The Devil’s Cup by Stewart Lee Allen – an odd buy highly entertaining read about the origins of coffee and how it shaped the world we live in today. Apparently, had it not been for coffee, we’d still be living in the dark ages.

As I dug a little deeper, I realized just how many cultures revere coffee and it got me really interested in some of their rituals. Here are some of my favourites:

Ethiopia – the birthplace of coffee!

Of course Ethiopia had to be on my list. It’s where it all began and Ethiopian coffees are some of the most complex tasting cups you’ll ever come across. Ethiopia has a coffee ceremony that can take hours and reflects the deep cultural and spiritual significance of coffee in the region. Coffee is roasted in front of guests, ground and brewed in a clay pot called a jebena. I hope to visit Ethiopia one day and take part in this ceremony.

Italy – espresso anybody?

Never ever order a cappuccino after breakfast. I learned this the hard way when I went to Italy for the first time almost a decade ago. I was laughed at when I tried to order an evening cappuccino. They are a breakfast item only, I learned. I loved the hustle and bustle of Italian cafes, baristas constantly churning out espressos, patrons downing the shots at the bar in one sip and then heading on their way. It’s an incredible sight, especially if you love people-watching as much as I do.

Sweden – slowing down with Fika

Before travelling to Sweden, I hadn’t ever heard of Fika. When I arrived at my hotel, it was this unusual place – it had a candy bar (Bulk Barn style) in the lobby. I wasn’t at all interested in that but off to the side there was a small bakery and coffee shop and they were selling these knotted cardamom buns and the smell was intoxicating. The Concierge ended up telling me all about Fika – a midday coffee break for socializing and relaxing. Slowing down with a cup of coffee and a delicious pastry? I was game. To this day, experiencing fika has been one my most favourite travel moments.

Turkiye – Ancient traditions

Turkiye is also on my travel list and the first thing I’m going to do when I get there is find a traditional Turkish coffee vendor in a market. Turkish coffee is brewed in a ibrik/cezve (a small, long-handled pot) with very fine ground coffee. It tends to be on the bitter side but is served with Turkish delight which tempers some of the bitterness. The coolest part - the thick coffee grounds are sometimes used for fortune-telling after the drink is finished. Kind of like reading tea leaves I suppose? I can’t wait to try this in Turkiye one day!

There are so many more coffee traditions I haven’t touched on here, from artsy coffee in Japan to spiced coffee in Mexico. They are all on my bucket list of adventures I hope to take in this lifetime. Have you experienced a strong coffee culture in another country? Let me know in the comments below!