How People Drink Coffee Around the World: 8 Traditional Styles

Ever wondered how many ways there are to drink coffee? The truth is, there’s almost one unique method per country — and none are quite the same. From rich brews boiled in special pots to light filtered bowls, every culture has its own ritual. Here’s how eight countries around the world take their coffee.

Quick answer: There’s no single way to drink coffee — globally, people consume it in roughly as many styles as there are countries. This article details eight distinct methods, from Turkey’s spiced ibrik brew to Italy’s quick espresso shot.

Arab Coffee: Small Cups, Big Sweetness

In Arab countries, coffee is typically served in small cups and is notably sweet. It’s a strong, often spiced brew meant for slow sipping and socializing. The focus isn’t on volume but on flavor intensity and hospitality.

Italian Espresso: Fast, Strong & Social

Italians drink coffee standing at the bar, usually a quick shot of espresso — brewed in under ten seconds. Their coffee culture revolves around small cups of highly concentrated coffee, consumed frequently throughout the day. It’s common for Italians to have multiple espressos daily, from morning to night.

Turkish Coffee: Unfiltered & Divinatory

Made by boiling finely ground coffee with water and sugar in a traditional Ibrik pot, Turkish coffee is unfiltered — meaning grounds settle at the bottom. It’s thick, strong, and typically served without milk. After drinking, the leftover coffee grounds are sometimes used to tell fortunes. Spices like cardamom are also common, though not mentioned in this source.

Dutch Coffee: Sweet, Creamy & Strong

The Dutch prefer their coffee strong, often prepared in a pot with sugar. It’s typically served with a side of cream and a glass of water. The combination allows drinkers to adjust richness and balance the intensity.

French Café Style: Mild & Infused

In France, coffee is commonly enjoyed from a bowl at breakfast, often made with chicory to add aroma. The coffee itself is usually light to medium in strength, made from medium-roasted beans ground coarsely and brewed via immersion. Compared to Italians, the French tend to prefer a milder cup.

Russian Coffee: Black with Lemon

Though Russia is known for tea, when coffee is consumed, it’s often black coffee with sugar and a slice of lemon. This style yields a bold, deep flavor that balances the citrus. It’s a distinctive approach not commonly found elsewhere.

South Indian Filter Coffee: Milk-Heavy & Sweet

In South India, coffee is typically prepared with a lot of milk and sugar. This milky, sweet brew helps counteract the heat and spice of typical meals. The coffee is filtered through a traditional metal filter, resulting in a smooth, layered drink with strong aromatic qualities.

Sudanese Coffee: Spiced & Ritualistic

In Sudan, black coffee is customarily brewed with spices such as cloves. The coffee is prepared in a traditional pot, infusing the brew with additional warmth and complexity. It’s often part of a ceremonial serving process.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

There is no single most common method — coffee is consumed differently in nearly every country. However, espresso-based drinks are among the most widely recognized internationally, especially in Europe and urban centers globally.

Do all countries drink coffee the same way?

No. Every country has its own coffee traditions. For example, Italians drink espresso quickly, Turks use a special ibrik pot and read coffee grounds, and the French often prefer a mild, chicory-infused coffee from a bowl.

Why do Indians add so much milk to their coffee?

In South India, milk and sugar are added to coffee to help soothe the palate after eating spicy food. The result is a creamy, sweet drink that contrasts with the heat of typical meals and is brewed through a traditional metal filter.

Is Turkish coffee the same as Greek coffee?

They are very similar and often made in the same kind of ibrik or briki pot, but the article specifically covers the Turkish preparation, which includes spices like cardamom and is always unfiltered. The coffee grounds settle and are not consumed.

Why do the French drink coffee from a bowl?

The French often drink coffee from a bowl at breakfast for convenience and to allow for easy sipping alongside pastries. The bowl shape is practical and the coffee is usually mild, often made with chicory and medium-roast beans.

What makes Dutch coffee different?

Dutch coffee is typically strong and brewed with sugar in a pot, then served with cream on the side and a glass of water. This lets the drinker adjust the richness and cleanse the palate, making it a balanced cup.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Global Coffee Styles

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for a bright, floral option that works well in filter or pour-over methods akin to French or South Indian styles. Their PWN Golden Mandheling offers a full-bodied, spicy profile ideal for those who enjoy Turkish or Sudanese-style spice notes. For a milk-friendly brew like South India’s, their Classic Blend provides a balanced, medium roast perfect for adding milk and sugar. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.