Something people around the globe share, is a great love for coffee. The way we experience it however, is a different story. Coffee is much more than just a Cappuccino or an Americano at your local café. The preparation and even ingredients can differ massively; how about adding some cheese curds to your brew, or perhaps some pepper?
Would you try these?
Let’s take a pit stop trip around the world and see how some other culture’s take on coffee differs from ours here in the UK. Which would you like to try?
Finland
- Kaffeost
The Finnish are fans of what may sound like a bit of a strange combo. They start with some cheese curds (or juustoleipä), then pour over hot coffee. A cheese board with a coffee is pretty common practice, so why not combine them?
Turkey
- Türk Kahvesi
Starting with a copper or brass pot (known in Turkey as a cezve), they use finely ground coffee beans and prepare the coffee unfiltered, letting the grounds settle at the bottom. A steady hand is required when drinking this, as it’s drunk with the grounds still in.
Malaysia
- Yuanyang
Served either hot or cold, this coffee is actually 7 parts Hong-Kong-style milk tea and 3 parts black coffee. The milk tea is a mixture of black tea and milk, and although it may look like a cup of tea, it is still a powerfully caffeinated drink.
Greece
- Frappé
I’m sure you’ve all heard of the frappe, most likely around summer time from fast food restaurants. Believe it or not, it was actually invented by a Nescafé representative in 1957. It’s made with iced instant coffee (yes instant!) and drowned in foamy milk. The frappé is one of the most popular summer beverages in Greece.
Italy
- Espresso Romano
Italians are known for their love of espresso, but did you know that in Italy it will traditionally come with a slice of lemon? The lemon is said to bring out the java's sweeter flavours.
Vietnam
- Cà phê đá
Vietnamese iced coffee is made with dark roast coffee, brewed straight over a cup of condensed milk with ice, using a French drip filter. This style of coffee is known to be both very sweet and very strong.
Ireland
- Irish Coffee
One that’s well known in the UK as well. Consisting of hot coffee, Irish whiskey and sugar, then topped with a thick cream. Not recommended for your morning cuppa!
Mexico
- Café de Olla
Traditional Mexican coffee uses unrefined cane sugar (or piloncillo) and simmered with a cinnamon stick. Locals believe serving in a clay mug brings out coffee's flavours.
Senegal
- Café Touba
For this variation of coffee, spices are added to the beans and roasted together, then ground and filtered. Flavoured with Guinea pepper and occasionally cloves, it’s a coffee with a kick.
Brazil
- Cafezinho
By far the most popular drink for locals, cafezinho (or little coffee) is similar to an espresso; a small, strong cup of java. The difference here is that it comes pre-sweetened, generally brewed straight with the sugar.
Spain
- Cafe Bombon
Thick and sugary, Spain's cafe bombon is sure to please those with a sweet tooth. An equal amount of condensed milk is stirred into black coffee.
Morocco
- Spiced coffee
This is exactly what it says on the tin (or mug). A mix of warm spices like cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove and black pepper are added to a dark coffee, pulling together the full body of flavours.
Any of these tickled your fancy? Have you tried some we haven’t listed here? Let us know in the comments below.
