How People Drink Coffee Around the World

Ever wonder why your Italian espresso tastes nothing like your Greek cousin’s thick, gritty cup? Or why the Dutch drown theirs in cream while Ethiopians serve it with popcorn? One coffee bean, endless ways to drink it—each country shapes coffee to match its pace, palate, and traditions. Here’s how ten nations take their daily brew.

From Italy’s quick-shot espresso to Turkey’s fortune-telling grounds, people around the world drink coffee in over ten distinct ways—each defined by roast, brew method, and cultural ritual.

Italian Espresso: Quick and Strong

In Italy, coffee means espresso: a small cup of ultra-concentrated black coffee made fast and drunk faster. Brewed under pressure, it’s thick, bold, and best suited for those accustomed to strong flavors. The entire experience is swift—made for standing at the bar, not lingering.

French Café au Lait Style: Mild and Earthy

French coffee leans mild, typically made with medium-roast, coarsely ground beans steeped rather than brewed under pressure. Many French drinkers pair it with chicory root, adding a subtle earthiness that softens the cup. It’s a gentler, more relaxed approach to coffee.

British Stovetop Brewing: Simmered in a Pot

In Britain, coffee was traditionally made by placing ground coffee in a cloth bag, tying it, and simmering the bag in water inside a saucepan on the stove. Once boiled, the brew is poured straight into cups. This old-fashioned method produces a strong, stewed cup that reflects the UK’s historical coffee habits.

Dutch Coffee: Sweet, Creamy, and Heavy

Dutch coffee combines espresso (or similar strong brew), sugar, and plenty of cream—resulting in a very heavy, sweet drink. It’s so rich that many Dutch drinkers balance it with water to cut through the richness. The focus is on indulgence, not subtlety.

Sudanese Spiced Coffee: Clove-Infused Black Coffee

In Sudan, black coffee is often brewed with added cloves and other spices, creating a fragrant, spiced cup. The spices infuse the brew, offering a warm, aromatic twist on traditional black coffee. It’s a reflection of the region’s love for layered flavors.

Turkish Coffee: Boiled with Fortune-Telling Grounds

Turkish coffee is made by boiling finely ground coffee, sugar, and water in a special pot called an ibrik. The tiny grounds remain in the cup after drinking, and are traditionally used for fortune-telling. The brew is unfiltered, thick, and intensely flavorful—meant to be sipped slowly.

American Drip Coffee: Fast and Convenient

In the United States, electric drip coffee makers are a household staple, designed for quick, convenient brewing that fits a fast-paced lifestyle. While methods vary, the focus is on accessibility and speed, often producing a lighter, filtered cup.

Greek Coffee: Thick and Gritty

Greek coffee is prepared by slowly boiling finely ground coffee on a small propane burner. The result is a thick, sludgy brew full of fine coffee particles—so much so that most people can only drink a few sips before the grit becomes overwhelming. It’s a strong, traditional coffee meant for savoring in small amounts.

Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony: Social and Spiced

In Ethiopia, coffee is served in small handleless ceramic cups as part of a ceremonial preparation. Hosts wear traditional dress, and the coffee is often accompanied by roasted barley grains and local snacks. It’s a social event, emphasizing community and tradition over speed.

Russian Coffee with Lemon: Bold and Balanced

Russians often drink black coffee with a touch of sugar and a slice of lemon. The lemon adds a citrus note that balances the coffee’s intensity, resulting in a rich yet refreshing cup. It’s a straightforward yet flavorful approach to strong coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

In Italy, the most common way to drink coffee is as a quick, strong espresso served in a small cup. It’s made rapidly and consumed immediately, often standing at a bar, and is known for its intense flavor that appeals to experienced coffee drinkers.

How is Turkish coffee different from other types of coffee?

Turkish coffee is made by boiling finely ground coffee with sugar and water in an ibrik (a special pot). It is unfiltered, so the fine grounds remain in the cup, creating a thick brew. After drinking, the grounds are often used for fortune-telling, making it unique among coffee preparations.

Why do Greeks boil their coffee on a small burner?

Greeks traditionally boil their coffee on a small propane or gas burner to create a thick, gritty coffee full of fine particles. The slow boiling process extracts a strong flavor, and the coffee is typically consumed in small sips due to the high amount of settled grounds.

What makes French coffee different from Italian espresso?

French coffee is generally milder and often made by steeping medium-roast, coarsely ground beans rather than using pressure. It’s frequently paired with chicory root for added earthiness, contrasting with Italy’s strong, pressure-brewed espresso.

Do Americans typically use specialty brewing methods at home?

Many Americans use electric drip coffee makers at home for convenience and speed, which is more aligned with a fast-paced lifestyle than specialty methods. While specialty brewing is growing, drip remains the standard for daily use in most households.

What spices are commonly added to Sudanese coffee?

Sudanese coffee is often brewed with cloves and other spices, which are added during the brewing process to create a fragrant, spiced cup. The spices infuse the coffee, offering a warm and aromatic alternative to plain black coffee.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Global Coffee Styles

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for a bright, floral cup akin to Ethiopian ceremony brews; its juicy body pairs well with popcorn or snacks. For Turkish-style richness, our PWN Golden Mandheling offers heavy body and low acidity—ideal for boiling like ibrik coffee. Or explore our Yirgacheffe for a light, citrusy option reminiscent of French-styled mild brews. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.