There are many coffee traditions around the world. Whether we're traveling or at home, we're always looking for the best cup of coffee. You can try different types of coffee and preparation methods when you can travel, but while you're not, we're bringing you the most representative traditions through a tour of several countries, sampling cultures from other continents.
Italy
In Italy, ordering a cup of coffee "to go" (or an Americano) is primarily reserved for tourists. To enjoy an authentic cup, you should order an espresso (a strong shot of coffee served in a small cup).
Drink it while standing at the coffee bar. You can get that quick burst of energy and be on your way. Cappuccinos are only ordered in the morning and are not consumed later in the day.
In Rome, you can take this half-day espresso and gelato tasting tour. It's the perfect combination, and this tour will take you to the best spots.
France
Café au lait, or hot coffee with milk, originated in France. The French often start their day with this sophisticated beverage, served in a wide cup. They typically don't order it after lunch or dinner, but only in the morning. It's also common to dip a plain croissant into coffee for breakfast.
Austria
The traditional Austrian drink is the mélange, which is similar to a cappuccino. It's an espresso with steamed milk, topped with frothed milk and sometimes whipped cream.
More specifically, there are coffee traditions surrounding the Viennese coffee house because it helped shape Viennese culture. It's even listed by UNESCO as an element of "intangible cultural heritage" and "where time and space are consumed, but only coffee is on the bill." Not only do people consume coffee there, but customers can sit for hours reading newspapers, writing, playing cards, or chatting.
Greece
The coffee drink frappé is popular in Greece. It combines instant coffee with evaporated milk and iced water. It's a great drink to devour on a hot summer day. There are many more ways Greeks love to drink coffee, as it's one of the best-tasting coffees in the world.
Ethiopia
Coffee drinking originated in Ethiopia. Traditional coffee ceremonies are an ancient and distinguished part of Ethiopian culture. The process takes two to three hours.
The process involves roasting the beans, brewing the coffee, and serving it. In the past, "buna" (coffee) was prepared with salt or butter instead of sugar. There is a popular saying in Ethiopia: "Buna dao naw," or "Coffee is our bread."
Ireland
Have you heard of Irish coffee? I know you can order them in bars and restaurants around the world. It should come as no surprise that Irish coffee originated in Ireland. It's coffee and alcohol, combined for the perfect after-dinner hot drink.
In the 1940s, American tourists visited Ireland during the cold winter season. The tourists invented the drink to keep warm. It's a combination of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and whipped cream.
Australia / New Zealand
The coffee of choice in Australia and New Zealand is the flat white. It's similar to a latte, but with a much more velvety consistency. To make it, pour microfoam (steamed milk containing tiny bubbles) over a shot of espresso. There's a higher proportion of coffee and milk than a latte or cappuccino.
Just make sure you order a "long black" and not an "Americano." They're essentially the same thing, but it's not called an Americano in Australia or New Zealand (you'll find out right away when a barista gives you a slightly cheeky look when you order it).
Vietnam
Egg coffee is gaining popularity in Vietnam. It's delicious, like a dessert. This coffee combines hot coffee with condensed milk, sugar, and egg yolk.
Türkiye
There's a Turkish proverb: "Coffee should be as black as hell, as strong as death, and as sweet as love." Turkish coffee is so steeped in tradition that it was inscribed by UNESCO on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013.
To prepare Turkish coffee, you must boil finely ground coffee in a long-handled copper pot called a cezve. Boil the coffee with sugar and water and then pour it into small cups. Coffee is served after meals. It is often accompanied by chewy Turkish candies.
We would love to take this half-day coffee tasting and tour Istanbul to see the experts at work (and drink lots of coffee!).