There’s one thing most people in the world have in common.
Coffee!
Whether you’re enjoying a cappuccino at an Italian caffé, an iced cà phê sữa đá on a hot day in Vietnam, or lucky enough to be participating in a tranquil coffee ceremony in an Ethiopian home… Coffee truly brings everyone together, no matter where you come from.
Today, let’s explore the rich tapestry of coffee cultures from around the world. We’ll dive into the unique ways humans from all over enjoy this beloved beverage. With our international shipping, you can bring these global flavors right to your doorstep. So, grab your favorite mug, and let's have a cup together.
Italian Coffee Culture
Ah, Italy! A country synonymous with art, fashion, and of course, coffee. Italians have a specific coffee for every time of the day.
The morning begins with a robust espresso, sipped quickly at the bar counter, while the afternoon calls for a Macchiato, a shot of espresso softened with a touch of milk.
Need a crash course? We got you.
Espresso: This is the foundation of most Italian coffee drinks. It's a concentrated form of coffee served in "shots." A standard espresso is made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee under high pressure.
Cappuccino: Named after the Capuchin monks because the color of the coffee resembled the color of their habits, a cappuccino is one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, and one-third foam. It's typically consumed in the morning with breakfast.
Latte: In Italian, "latte" simply means milk. So, if you order a "latte" in Italy, you'll get a glass of milk. To get the drink known in other countries as a "latte," you'd order a "caffè latte," which is typically one-third espresso and two-thirds steamed milk, with a small amount of foam on top.
Macchiato: The word "macchiato" means "stained" or "spotted" in Italian. A "caffè macchiato" is an espresso with a small amount of frothed milk on top. A "latte macchiato" is a glass of warm milk with a small amount of espresso added.
Americano: This is a shot or two of espresso that has been poured over hot water, making for a more diluted (but larger) coffee drink. It's named "Americano" (meaning "American") because it's similar to the way coffee is often served in the United States.
Ristretto: This is an espresso shot that's been pulled short, meaning less water is allowed to pass through the coffee grounds. The result is a smaller, more concentrated drink.
Lungo: The opposite of a ristretto, a lungo is an espresso shot that's been pulled long, allowing more water to pass through the grounds. This results in a larger, more diluted espresso.
Corretto: This is an espresso that's been "corrected" with a shot of grappa, brandy, or other spirit.
Affogato: This isn't a coffee drink in the traditional sense, but it's a popular dessert that involves pouring a shot of espresso over a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream.
Mocha: Similar to a cappuccino, a mocha includes chocolate syrup with the espresso and frothed milk.
Tutorial: How to make Espresso at Home
- Start by selecting our Regular Espresso Blend, known for its rich and robust flavor.
- Grind your coffee beans to a fine consistency using the Hario Skerton Grinder.
- Don’t have an espresso machine? No worries. Fill the bottom of your Aeropress with hot water.
- Place the Aeropress filter in the brew basket, then fill it with the ground coffee. Don't press it down too hard; just a gentle tamp will do.
- Screw the top and bottom of the Aeropress together and place it over your cup.
- Press down on the Aeropress to push the water through the coffee and into your cup.
- Your espresso is ready. Enjoy!
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Ethiopian Coffee Culture
Next, we travel to Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee. Here, coffee is more than just a drink; it's a symbol of hospitality and friendship. The traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a unique and integral part of their social and cultural life.
Tutorial: How to bring the hospitality of a coffee ceremony to your home.
- Invite friends over for an intentional cup of coffee.
- Start with our Kenya AA coffee, known for its bright and fruity notes.
- Grind your coffee beans to a medium consistency using the Hario Skerton Grinder.
- Add the coffee grounds to your French Press.
- Pour hot water into the French Press, stir, and let it steep for 4 minutes.
- Press the plunger down slowly and pour the coffee into your cup. Enjoy the fruity notes that are characteristic of Ethiopian coffee.
- Enjoy with your friends, practicing presence with one another.
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Finnish Coffee Culture
In Finland, coffee is a way of life.
Finns prefer light roasted coffee and have a unique tradition of dividing their day with coffee breaks.
That’s something we can get behind!
Tutorial: How to brew coffee the Finnish way
- Designate coffee breaks throughout your day.
- Choose our Brazil Mogiana for a lighter medium roast and a smooth and balanced flavor. Try a Decaf for breaks later in the day.
- Measure out the coffee grounds and water using the Hario Drip Scale. A good rule of thumb is 60 grams of coffee for every liter of water.
- Place a filter in the brew basket of your Aeropress and add the coffee grounds.
- Pour the water into the Aeropress, stir, and let it steep for about 2 minutes.
- Press the plunger down slowly and pour the coffee into your cup.
- Enjoy!
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Turkish Coffee Culture
In Turkey, coffee is not just a beverage; it's a ritual. Turkish coffee is unfiltered, prepared in a cezve, and meant to be sipped slowly.
Tutorial: How to make Turkish coffee
To make traditional Turkish coffee at home, you'll need a Turkish Coffee Pot (Cezve) and a dark roast coffee, like the Rainforest Organic from Bean Around The World. The result is a rich, thick coffee with a layer of froth on top, just like in Istanbul!
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Vietnamese Coffee Culture
Finally, we arrive in Vietnam, where coffee is a symbol of leisure and relaxation.
Vietnamese coffee, known as cà phê, is a unique style of coffee that's popular in Vietnam. It's traditionally made with a blend of Robusta and Arabica coffee beans, which are dark-roasted (often with chicory) and brewed with a small metal French drip filter called a phin.
The coffee is usually served in a cup with sweetened condensed milk at the bottom, and the hot coffee drips slowly from the phin into the cup, mixing with the condensed milk. Once the dripping stops, the coffee and condensed milk are stirred together to create a sweet and creamy beverage. This is known as cà phê sữa nóng when served hot.
The iced version, cà phê sữa đá, is made the same way, but it's poured over a glass full of ice after the coffee and condensed milk are stirred together. The result is a sweet, creamy, and refreshing coffee beverage that's perfect for hot weather.
The key difference between the two is the temperature at which they're served. Cà phê sữa nóng is a warm, comforting drink, while cà phê sữa đá is a cool and refreshing iced coffee. Both versions are sweet and creamy due to the use of condensed milk, which sets them apart from many other styles of coffee.
Tutorial: How to make Vietnamese iced coffee (ca phe sua da) at home
- Start with our Italian Dark Roast, known for its strong and intense flavor.
- Grind your coffee beans to a coarse consistency using the Hario Skerton Grinder.
- Add 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk to a glass.
- If you don’t have a phin, you can use an Aeropress. Place your Aeropress on top of the glass.
- Add 2 tablespoons of coffee to the Aeropress, then screw the top filter tightly onto the coffee.
- Pour a splash of hot water (about 20 ml) into the Aeropress and wait for 20 seconds to let the coffee bloom.
- Pour more hot water up to the top of the Aeropress, cover it with the lid, and let the coffee drip into the glass.
- Once the dripping stops, stir the coffee and condensed milk together.
- Add ice to the glass, stir again, and enjoy your homemade ca phe sua da!
Understanding and appreciating global coffee cultures is a journey in itself. Each cup tells a story that brings people together.
Here at Bean Around The World, we're committed to bringing these unique coffee experiences to you, no matter where you are.
Ready to start your own global coffee journey? Explore our coffee collection and brew gear today.
With our international shipping, the world of coffee is just a click away.
Happy brewing!