Introduction
Coffee is a universal beverage, but every country has its own unique way of preparing and enjoying it. From the strong espresso of Italy to the spiced coffee of Turkey, each culture has developed distinct coffee traditions that reflect local tastes and histories.
Exploring international coffee styles lets you:
✔ Discover new flavors and brewing techniques.
✔ Understand how different cultures enjoy coffee.
✔ Try authentic recipes at home!
In this global coffee guide, you’ll learn about:
✅ The most famous coffee drinks from around the world.
✅ Their origins, ingredients, and preparation methods.
✅ How to make them at home and experience new coffee traditions!
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a world tour of coffee flavors without leaving your kitchen!
1. Italy 🇮🇹 – Espresso & Cappuccino
Italy is the birthplace of espresso, the foundation for many popular coffee drinks.
A) Espresso ☕
✔ A short, intense coffee shot brewed under high pressure.
✔ Typically served in small cups (30ml).
✔ Italians drink espresso quickly at the bar—never to-go!
💡 How to make it at home: Use an espresso machine or Moka pot for an authentic shot.
B) Cappuccino ☕🥛
✔ Made with 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 milk foam.
✔ Traditionally only consumed in the morning in Italy.
✔ Often dusted with cocoa powder or cinnamon.
💡 Tip: If you want to drink coffee like an Italian, never order a cappuccino after 11 AM!
2. France 🇫🇷 – Café au Lait
✔ Translates to “coffee with milk”.
✔ Made with equal parts brewed coffee and steamed milk.
✔ Served in a large bowl or cup—perfect for dipping croissants!
💡 How to make it at home: Brew strong coffee (French press works best) and mix with warm, steamed milk.
3. Turkey 🇹🇷 – Turkish Coffee (Türk Kahvesi)
✔ Brewed in a cezve (small copper pot) with very fine coffee grounds.
✔ No filtering—grounds settle at the bottom of the cup.
✔ Often flavored with cardamom and served with a glass of water and a sweet treat.
💡 How to make it at home: Mix extra-fine coffee, sugar, and water in a cezve, heat slowly, and pour without stirring.
4. Greece 🇬🇷 – Frappe
✔ A cold, frothy coffee drink made with instant coffee, sugar, and milk.
✔ Shaken or blended with ice for a refreshing, creamy texture.
✔ A popular summer drink in Greece!
💡 How to make it at home: Shake instant coffee, sugar, and a little water until frothy, then pour over ice and milk.
5. Austria 🇦🇹 – Wiener Melange
✔ Similar to a cappuccino but topped with whipped cream instead of foam.
✔ Often sprinkled with cocoa powder or cinnamon.
✔ Served in elegant Viennese cafés with a glass of water.
💡 How to make it at home: Brew espresso, add steamed milk, and top with whipped cream.
6. Spain 🇪🇸 – Café con Leche & Cortado
A) Café con Leche ☕🥛
✔ A 50/50 mix of strong coffee and steamed milk.
✔ Typically enjoyed at breakfast with toast or pastries.
B) Cortado ☕
✔ An espresso “cut” with a small amount of warm milk.
✔ Smooth, rich, and less frothy than a cappuccino.
💡 Tip: Use equal parts espresso and milk for an authentic cortado!
7. Vietnam 🇻🇳 – Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Vietnamese Iced Coffee)
✔ Made with strong Vietnamese coffee brewed in a phin filter.
✔ Mixed with sweetened condensed milk for a creamy texture.
✔ Served over ice, making it perfect for hot weather.
💡 How to make it at home: Brew strong coffee, mix with condensed milk, and pour over ice.
8. Ethiopia 🇪🇹 – Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
✔ Coffee is roasted, ground, and brewed fresh in a jebena (clay pot).
✔ Often served black with sugar—sometimes with spices like cinnamon.
✔ A social tradition where guests enjoy multiple small servings.
💡 How to experience it at home: Brew fresh Ethiopian coffee in a French press and serve with incense or traditional snacks.
9. Brazil 🇧🇷 – Cafézinho
✔ A small, strong, and sweetened coffee served in tiny cups.
✔ Made with boiling water poured over finely ground coffee.
✔ Typically pre-sweetened during brewing—no sugar added afterward.
💡 Tip: Use a cloth filter (coador) for an authentic Brazilian cafézinho experience!
10. Japan 🇯🇵 – Japanese Iced Coffee & Kōhī
A) Japanese Iced Coffee 🧊
✔ Brewed hot and immediately chilled over ice.
✔ Preserves the bright acidity and flavors of the coffee.
B) Kōhī (Canned Coffee) 🥤
✔ Ready-to-drink canned coffee—available hot or cold.
✔ Found in vending machines all over Japan!
💡 How to make Japanese iced coffee at home: Brew coffee directly over ice using a pour-over method.
11. Mexico 🇲🇽 – Café de Olla
✔ Brewed with cinnamon and brown sugar (piloncillo).
✔ Traditionally made in a clay pot, which adds a unique earthy flavor.
✔ A comforting and slightly spiced coffee!
💡 How to make it at home: Simmer coffee, water, cinnamon sticks, and brown sugar together before straining.
12. Morocco 🇲🇦 – Spiced Coffee
✔ Made with a mix of coffee and warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg.
✔ Rich, aromatic, and often served black.
💡 How to make it at home: Add a pinch of ground cinnamon and cardamom to your coffee grounds before brewing.
Conclusion: Travel the World Through Coffee! ☕🌍
Now that you’ve explored coffee traditions from around the world, you can:
✔ Try new brewing methods like Turkish coffee or Japanese iced coffee.
✔ Experiment with unique ingredients like cardamom, condensed milk, or cinnamon.
✔ Bring international coffee flavors to your home café!
Which one will you try first? ☕✨