How 9 Countries Around the World Drink Coffee

Ever wondered why Italians drink espresso like it’s a race, while Americans pour cream into everything? Or why the Turkish read their future in coffee grounds? The truth is, there’s no universal way to drink coffee—just as many styles as there are countries. From sweetened shots in the Middle East to creamy bowls in France, every culture has its own ritual, roast, and ratio. Here’s how nine countries actually take their coffee.

In short: Arabs prefer small, sweet cups; the French sip mild coffee from bowls; Italians drink strong espresso fast; Turks read fortunes in grounds; Americans lighten it up with cream; Russians add lemon to black coffee; Indians balance spice with milk; the Dutch mix coffee with chicory; and the Sudanese spice theirs with cloves.

Arab Coffee: Small, Sweet, and Strong

People in Arab countries favor small servings of sweet, often spiced coffee. These tiny cups hold a strong, usually unfiltered brew, typically served without milk. The focus is on hospitality and conversation, with coffee served as a gesture of welcome.

French Coffee Culture: Morning Bowls and Chicory

The French commonly drink coffee from a bowl at breakfast, often mixed with roasted chicory root to add aroma. Their preferred style is lighter and more diluted than Italy’s espresso, usually made from medium-roast, coarsely ground beans brewed via immersion—resulting in a milder cup to start the day.

Italian Espresso: Fast, Strong, and Social

Italians drink espresso almost exclusively, made quickly—often in under ten seconds—and consumed just as fast, typically in two or three sips. Coffee is a daily ritual, enjoyed from morning to night. Italian-style coffee comes in small cups and is extremely concentrated, meant to be sipped standing at the bar.

Turkish Coffee: Unfiltered and Divinatory

Made by boiling finely ground coffee with water and sugar in a special pot called a cezve (or “tbrīk”), Turkish coffee is unfiltered—meaning grounds settle at the bottom. It’s thick, strong, and traditionally served unstrained. After drinking, the leftover grounds are used to tell fortunes by reading the patterns left in the cup.

Dutch Coffee: Chicory, Cream, and Contrast

The Dutch enjoy a strong blend of coffee and chicory served from a pot, accompanied by a side of cream and a glass of water. This combination delivers a bold, layered flavor and reflects a historical preference for adding chicory to extend coffee supplies—now a cultural staple.

Russian Coffee: Black with Lemon

Though Russia is known for tea, when locals drink coffee, they often take it black with a single slice of lemon added. This creates a deep, robust flavor profile, balancing the bitterness with a bright citrus note—especially appreciated as a warming, adult beverage.

South Indian Coffee: Milk, Sugar, and Spice Relief

In South India, coffee is typically prepared with generous amounts of milk and sugar. This milky, sweet style helps soothe the heat and spice from local cuisine. The coffee is filtered through a traditional metal filter, resulting in a smooth, creamy cup that contrasts sharply with spicy meals.

Sudanese Coffee: Cloves and Ritual

Sudanese coffee is prepared by pouring black coffee into a special pot and adding spices such as cloves. The spices infuse during brewing, creating a fragrant, aromatic cup that’s part of formal serving rituals, often presented with great ceremony.

American Coffee Preferences: Mild Roasts with Cream

Americans often prefer lightly roasted coffee with a splash of cream—or even just milk. The lighter roast yields a smoother, less intense flavor, which pairs well with added dairy. This approach reflects a broader cultural tendency toward milder, more approachable coffee experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common way to drink coffee around the world?

Globally, espresso-based drinks and black coffee are most common, but preparation varies widely. Italians drink espresso quickly, Arabs sip small sweet cups, Turks use unfiltered methods with fortune readings, and Americans often prefer lighter roasts with cream. There is no single dominant method.

Why do Italians drink espresso so fast?

Italians drink espresso fast—usually in under ten seconds and in just a few sips—because it’s a social ritual and a concentrated pick-me-up meant to be consumed standing at a café bar, not sipped slowly.

Do people in the Middle East drink coffee with milk?

No, in countries like Arabia and Sudan, coffee is typically served black and sweet, often with spices like cardamom or cloves, but not with milk. Milk is uncommon in traditional Arabic coffee preparations.

What is Turkish coffee and how is it different?

Turkish coffee is made by boiling finely ground coffee with water (and sometimes sugar) in a cezve. It is unfiltered, so the grounds settle at the bottom, and is often used for fortune-telling based on the coffee grounds left in the cup.

Why do the French drink coffee from a bowl?

The French often drink coffee from a bowl at breakfast for convenience and to allow quicker cooling. It’s typically a mild, immersed brew with chicory, reflecting a cultural preference for a lighter start to the day compared to espresso.

Why do South Indians add so much milk to coffee?

South Indians add lots of milk and sugar to coffee to counterbalance the heat and spice of their cuisine. The creamy, sweet coffee also helps soothe the palate after eating spicy food, and is traditionally filtered through a metal dripper.

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