How People Drink Coffee Around the World

Ever wondered how people in other countries actually drink their coffee? Whether it’s a thick shot downed in seconds or a spiced brew served with crystal balls for fortune-telling, coffee traditions vary wildly across the globe. Each country has its own take on brewing, serving, and sipping, shaped by history, taste, and daily life. Here’s how ten different nations take their coffee—from the bold to the bizarre.

In short: Italians drink strong espresso quickly from tiny cups; the French prefer lighter, chicory-laced coffee brewed via immersion; the British boil grounds in pots; Turks read fortunes in their coffee grounds; and Americans rely on drip machines for speed. Every method tells a story.

Italy: Fast and Intense Espresso

In Italy, coffee means espresso—thick, dark, and served in a small cup. It’s made quickly and consumed just as fast. The coffee is strong and bold, best appreciated by those accustomed to intense flavors. This isn’t a leisurely drink; it’s a shot to go.

France: Mild and Chicory-Infused Immersion Coffee

The French tend to enjoy lighter coffee, often made from medium-roasted, coarsely ground beans using an immersion method like a French press. Many French drinkers add chicory root to their brew, which mellow the flavor and create a distinct, slightly sweet taste. It’s a more relaxed, drawn-out coffee experience compared to Italy’s espresso.

United Kingdom: Boiled Coffee in Pots

Traditional British coffee involves placing coffee grounds in a cloth bag, tying it up, and steeping it in water inside a metal pot, often a kettle or saucepan, which is then boiled on a stove. The resulting brew is poured straight into cups. This old-fashioned method results in a strong, full-bodied cup—but also one that can be quite gritty.

Netherlands: Heavy Coffee with Cream and Sugar

Dutch coffee is known for being rich and heavy, typically made with plenty of coffee, sugar, and cream—or even butter. The strong brew can become overly sweet and rich, sometimes to the point that drinkers cut through the intensity with a glass of water. It’s indulgent, dense, and designed for lingering.

Sudan: Spiced Black Coffee with Cloves

In Sudan, black coffee is commonly brewed with cloves and other spices added to the coffee pot. This creates a fragrant, aromatic brew that carries warm, spicy notes alongside the coffee. The spices transform the cup into something closer to a traditional herbal drink, deeply tied to local customs.

Turkey: Fortune-Telling with Coffee Grounds

The Turks brew their coffee in a special pot called an Ibrik. Finely ground coffee, sugar, and water are boiled together, often multiple times. The thick, unfiltered coffee is poured into small cups and sipped slowly. What’s left in the bottom—the grounds—are often used to tell fortunes, making each cup not just a drink but a moment of divination.

United States: Convenience with Drip Coffee Machines

Americans rely heavily on electric drip filter coffee machines for daily brewing. These machines are found in most homes and offices, delivering a quick, consistent cup that fits well with the fast-paced American lifestyle. While specialty coffee is growing, traditional drip remains the everyday standard.

Greece: Gritty Slow-Brewed Coffee

Greek coffee is prepared by slowly boiling finely ground coffee on a small gas burner. The result is a thick, unfiltered drink full of coffee grounds. It’s intensely flavored and traditionally sipped slowly, though the high amount of sediment means it’s usually consumed in just a few sips. Drinking to the bottom is rare.

Ethiopia: Ceremonial Coffee with Snacks

In Ethiopia, coffee is often prepared as part of a ceremonial tradition. The host wears traditional clothing and brews coffee in small handleless cups. The coffee is typically served alongside roasted barley grains and local snacks. It’s a social ritual as much as a beverage, emphasizing hospitality and community over mere caffeine intake.

Russia: Black Coffee with Lemon and Sugar

Russians commonly drink black coffee with a slice of lemon and sugar. This combination creates a bold, slightly tart and rich flavor profile. The citrus adds brightness to the deep, robust coffee, resulting in a distinctive drink that stands apart from more typical milk-and-sugar pairings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common way Italians drink coffee?

Italians typically drink espresso, a small, strong coffee served in a tiny cup. It is made and consumed quickly, and the intense flavor is best suited to those used to bold coffee profiles.

Do the French add anything to their coffee?

Yes, many French drinkers add chicory root to their coffee, especially when using medium-roast, coarsely ground beans. The chicory gives the coffee a slightly sweet, mellow flavor and is often brewed via immersion methods like a French press.

Why do Turks read coffee grounds?

Turks brew coffee in an Ibrik with fine grounds, sugar, and water, then boil the mixture. The unfiltered coffee is poured into cups, and the leftover grounds are used to tell fortunes—a traditional form of divination practiced after drinking.

How do Greeks make their coffee?

Greek coffee is made by boiling finely ground coffee on a small gas burner. It’s unfiltered and very thick, often containing a lot of coffee grounds. It’s sipped slowly, but usually only for a few sips due to the high sediment content.

What’s unique about Ethiopian coffee culture?

In Ethiopia, coffee is part of a ceremonial tradition where it is brewed in small handleless cups and served with roasted barley and snacks. The host often wears traditional dress, making the experience both social and ceremonial.

Why do Russians add lemon to coffee?

Russians often drink black coffee with a slice of lemon and sugar. The lemon adds a bright, tart contrast to the bold coffee flavor, creating a unique and refreshing taste profile not commonly found in other coffee cultures.

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