The pleasure of a good cup of coffee is universal—and yet the ways in which it is enjoyed from one corner of the globe to the next differ quite drastically. From the centuries-old coffee ceremonies in Ethiopia to the booming Chinese coffee culture or Kaffee und Kuchen in Germany, there’s plenty to discover on a round-the-world coffee crusade. So, grab yourself a cuppa and let us take you on a journey across countries, cultures, and coffee rituals, each as unique and intriguing as the next.
Germany: Coffee, Cake, Community
To warm up our feet before the adventures ahead, we’ll start by taking a stroll through the German coffee culture flourishing right here at home. As it turns out, you don’t have to travel far to find unique coffee routines to enjoy!
Even though most tourists still associate Germany with beer (and who could blame them when there’s Oktoberfest!), locals might very well tell you that they pour themselves a cup of coffee much more often. At any rate, that’s exactly what statistics show, with the humble cuppa being ahead of beer, and even mineral water. Unlike the espresso-fuelled Italians, however, Germans are all about slow, leisurely coffee routines—which might account for the popularity of filter coffee in this country, and the continuous rise in the consumption of freshly roasted coffee beans too. After all, the filter brewing method has long been synonymous with premium-quality specialty coffees, making the two go hand-in-hand.
As we get ready for some caffeinated jet-setting, why not pop by a cosy local café for some Kaffee und Kuchen? Known simply as “coffee and cake” in English, this is more than just your regular mid-afternoon snack—it’s a venerated tradition. Let’s get some of your friends together, order a piece of Apfelkuchen (traditional German apple pie), and top it all off with a cup of filter coffee, or the local Milchkaffee if black coffee isn’t your thing. There’s no need to hurry either: just sit back, relax, and enjoy the company as much as you enjoy the coffee!
Finland: Where Everyone’s Entitled to Some Coffee
Ready to travel further? Our next stop is Finland, famous for being one of the most caffeinated countries in the world. A survey concluded that an average Finn drinks around 4.4 cups of coffee per day—for an average German, for instance, that’s 3.5 cups, so don’t hesitate to indulge in an extra cup or two as we move along. Up for one more interesting fact? Coffee’s literally more than just a drink in Finland—it’s a right. The Finnish law dictates that every employee is entitled to a coffee break. Now that’s the kind of country we could live in!
Instead of heading to a local Finnish café, let’s mix it up a bit: grab a backpack, jump into a pair of boots, and join us for a hike in the great outdoors! Once you’ve had your fill of admiring Finland’s magnificent nature, we’ll light a campfire and treat you to the traditional nokipannukahvit: a pot of coffee brewed right there over the open flames, then served in a special wooden cup called kuksa. If that’s how Finns consume their coffee, is there any surprise that they can hardly get enough?
China: From Tea Leaves to Coffee Beans
Let’s leave Europe behind for a moment: we’re heading to Asia now! The exact destination—China—may come as a surprise though, as the Chinese are traditionally thought of as tea drinkers. That’s not really the case anymore: the consumption of coffee in China has been growing steadily, and is reported to have surged by as much as 150% over the past ten years.
It’s certainly true that Western culture has played a role in China acquiring a taste for coffee beans instead of tea leaves. More locals are exposed to the latest coffee trends when travelling abroad, while youngsters take inspiration from social media, where cafés are presented as the ideal places to sit down for a friendly chat. Recently, however, China’s budding coffee culture has started carving its own path: overseas favourites like Starbucks have been declining in popularity, with more and more people choosing local café chains instead.
For a quick taste of the buzzing Chinese coffee industry, we’ll give “Luckin Coffee”—one of China’s most popular homegrown coffee shops—a try. Locals love innovation, so we’ll place our order via a smart app, then pick it up at the nearest coffee shop. What about the viral Little Butter Latte?.. The order’s ready: grab, go, and enjoy your coffee the Chinese way.
Ethiopia: The Birthplace of Coffee
For our last stop on the itinerary, we’ve got a real treat for you: pack your bags, we’re going to Ethiopia! Known as the birthplace of coffee, it’s home to some of the oldest coffee rituals in the world. The humble coffee beans hold a truly special place in the hearts of the locals: more than just a drink, coffee is the cornerstone of Ethiopian culture at large. To experience it for ourselves, let’s pop into one of the nearby huts, where the jebena bunna coffee ceremony is about to take place. Arm yourself with some serious patience though: we’ll be here for a while!
You’re welcome to sit down right here on the floor, which the hostess has strewn with fragrant local grasses. Can you smell incense in the air? Locals burn it to ward off evil spirits. It’s the hostess’s time to shine now: she fills a traditional clay coffee pot (known as a jebena) with water and places it over hot coals. While the water boils, she takes a handful of green coffee beans, cleans them thoroughly, then pours them into a pan and heats it over a small fire, stirring constantly, until the coffee beans are roasted. Next up, there’s the grinding: the hostess grinds the beans using the local version of a mortar and pestle. Into the coffee pot they go! The mixture of water and coarsely ground coffee beans is brought to a boil, then removed from the heat and served in small ceramic cups. Sit back, relax, and chat with the locals now—and don’t forget to compliment the hostess on her coffee-making skills before we’re off!
The Ethiopian jebena bunna ceremony goes well beyond your regular coffee break. Taking place over a period of 2 to 3 hours, it’s as much a celebration of the local coffee culture as it is a treasured opportunity to connect with the people around you. The Ethiopians sure know what coffee is all about: at its core, it’s really about the company that you enjoy it in.
Conclusion
From centuries-old traditions to emerging modern rituals, it’s amazing to see how the humble coffee bean continues to reinvent itself, adapting to different lifestyles and national identities. We hope you’ve had a chance to experience coffee in all of its versatility on our little round-the-world trip—and now, as you settle back home, it’s your turn to make this fascinating drink even more your own.
