How 10 Countries Traditionally Drink Their Coffee

Ever wonder why your Italian espresso tastes nothing like your Turkish coffee, or why the French sip something so mild it barely resembles what you know as coffee? Coffee isn’t just a drink — it’s a ritual, deeply shaped by local taste, history, and tradition. From tiny cups in Naples to spice-laced brews in the Sudan, here’s how ten countries actually take their coffee.

Across ten countries, coffee is prepared in ten wildly different ways: from a 30ml shot of thick espresso in Italy, to coffee brewed with cardamom and served unfiltered in the Middle East. Each method reflects local preferences for strength, aroma, and even social ritual. We break down exactly how each country makes and drinks its coffee traditionally.

1. Italy: The Original Espresso

In Italy, coffee means espresso — a small, intense shot served in a tiny cup. It’s made quickly and consumed even faster. This style is not for beginners: the high concentration and bold flavor are an acquired taste, usually appreciated by those with more experience drinking coffee.

2. France: Mild and Chic

The French prefer a lighter, mellower coffee. It’s typically made using medium-roasted beans ground coarsely, then steeped — similar to a coffee version of a café au lait without milk. Many French drinkers add chicory root to their brew, which adds a subtle earthiness and changes the flavor profile significantly.

3. England: Boiled and Brewed

In England, particularly in the past, coffee was often made by placing coarse coffee grounds in a cloth bag, tying it, and boiling the bag in a kettle or pot. Once boiled, the liquid was poured straight into cups. The resulting brew is strong and hearty, though not especially clean or bright by modern standards.

4. Netherlands: Sweet, Rich, and Creamy

Dutch coffee is bold and heavy: it’s made with plenty of coffee, sugar, and always finished with a layer of whipped cream on top. The richness can become cloying, so some drinkers cut through it with a splash of water. This method emphasizes indulgence over clarity or subtlety.

5. Sudan: Spiced Black Coffee

In Sudan, black coffee is typically brewed with added cloves and other spices. The result is aromatic and flavorful, often served as a gesture of hospitality. The spices infuse the coffee with warm, complex notes beyond just caffeine.

6. Turkey: Brewed in an Ibrik with Fortune-Telling Grounds

Turkish coffee is made by boiling finely ground coffee along with sugar and water in a special pot called an ibrik. It’s unfiltered, meaning the fine grounds remain in the cup. Beyond drinking, the leftover coffee grounds are often used for tasseography — a traditional form of fortune-telling based on the patterns left in the cup.

7. United States: Drip Coffee for Speed

Americans often rely on electric drip filter coffee machines for their daily brew. These machines are designed for convenience and speed, fitting the fast-paced lifestyle. While not a traditional method in the artisanal sense, drip coffee is deeply embedded in American coffee culture.

8. Greece: Rich and Gritty

Greek coffee is slow-boiled on a small gas burner. It’s similar to Turkish coffee in preparation but culturally distinct. The coffee is unfiltered and contains a high proportion of coffee grounds, making it thick and heavy. Most people drink only a few sips before setting it down.

9. Ethiopia: Coffee with Ceremonial Flair

In Ethiopia, coffee is more than a drink — it’s a ceremony. The host wears traditional clothing and serves the coffee in small handleless cups. It’s often accompanied by roasted barley grains and local snacks. The coffee is usually unfiltered and enjoyed in multiple rounds: first, second, and third, each with its own strength and significance.

10. Russia: Black Coffee with Lemon

Russians often drink black coffee with the addition of sugar and a small slice of lemon. The sourness of the lemon cuts through the intensity, resulting in a bold and balanced cup. It’s a distinctive way to enjoy black coffee without milk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common way to drink coffee in Italy?

In Italy, the most common and traditional way to drink coffee is as a quick, small shot of espresso served in a tiny cup. It’s prepared rapidly and meant to be consumed immediately, often standing at a bar. The espresso is strong, rich, and not diluted — a style that requires some familiarity with intense coffee flavors.

Do Turkish people read coffee grounds?

Yes, Turkish coffee is unfiltered and typically served with the fine coffee grounds settled at the bottom of the cup. It’s common in Turkish culture to use these grounds for tasseography, or coffee cup reading, to interpret patterns and predict future events or insights.

Why is Ethiopian coffee served in ceremonies?

Ethiopian coffee is served as part of a ceremonial tradition that involves roasting fresh beans, grinding them, and brewing the coffee in small handleless cups. The ceremony includes multiple rounds of coffee and is often accompanied by roasted barley and snacks. It reflects hospitality, community, and respect for the coffee ritual.

What kind of coffee do the French typically drink?

The French typically drink a mild, medium-roast coffee that is coarsely ground and steeped rather than filtered through pressure or espresso methods. Chicory is often added for extra flavor, resulting in a softer, less intense cup compared to espresso or filtered coffee.

Why do Russians add lemon to their coffee?

Russians often add a slice of lemon to their black coffee to balance the bitterness and intensity with a bright, acidic note. This combination creates a bold yet refreshing drink, and it’s a distinctive part of Russian coffee culture, especially when sugar is also added.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Traditional Brewing

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for bright, floral notes reminiscent of Ethiopian ceremonies, or their Brazil Queen Manor for a smooth base similar to French-style medium roasts. For a bold espresso akin to Italy’s classic shot, their PWN Golden Mandheling offers deep body and chocolatey complexity. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.