Coffee Around the World
Updated: Aug 25
When I traveled through New Zealand and Australia with my husband's cousin a few years ago, she made it a point to check out a local coffee shop in every city and cruise port we visited. Ever since then, I've started doing the same whenever I travel somewhere new. It's such a fun way to slow down for a bit and experience the local culture.
Grab a cup, and let's explore the Best Places Around the World to Drink Coffee.
1. Vietnam
Coffee culture is everywhere in Vietnam. You'll find people gathered in cafés at all hours of the day. Popular drinks include ice coffee with condensed milk, egg coffee in Hanoi, and salt coffee with its sweet-and-salty flavor balance.
Try: Condensed milk is a key ingredient in many varieties of drinks, so kick it up a notch with the Vietnamese egg coffee. Yolks are whipped with condensed milk to create a light, foamy cream which is then
mixed with the coffee.
2. Italy
In Italy, coffee is more of a ritual than a quick caffeine stop, and asking for a to-go cup will earn you a bewildered look from the barista. Espresso is meant to be consumed standing at a bar, cappuccinos are reserved for breakfast, and afternoon caffe macchiatos are common.
Try: Caffè Leccese from Puglia, an espresso poured over ice and shaken with almond syrup. Delicious on a hot day!
3. Jamaica
The famous Blue Mountain coffee is one of the most sought after coffees in the world. Most coffee is grown on flat land, but Blue Mountain coffee is cultivated on steep hills, making farming much more labor intensive. Its smooth, slightly sweet flavor and limited production add to its reputation and high price tag.
Try: A simple cup prepared as a pour-over or with a French Press to really appreciate the fruity and floral notes.
4. Australia
Café culture is strong, especially in Sydney and Melbourne, where locals debate who has the better coffee scene. If one debate isn't enough, Australia and New Zealand also both claim the flat white as their coffee invention of the 1980s.
Try: A flat white, which is steamed milk poured over espresso.
5. Sweden
In Sweden, coffee is part of a daily tradition called fika - a relaxing coffee break enjoyed with pastries and conversation. It's less about rushing and more about slowing down and reconnecting.
Try: Coffee bars and cafes around the country have embraced fika, so stop in to enjoy a steaming brew with kanelbulle (cinnamon roll), prinsesstårta (princess cake), or kladdkaka (sticky chocolate cake.)
6. Costa Rica
The government of Costa Rica is committed to ecological preservation, so planting anything other than 100% Arabica beans here is against the law. Their dedication to soil protection, combined with the ideal altitude and climate, creates one of the most desired beans around the world. Lucky for us, Costa Rica exports 90% of what they grow.
Try: Café chorreado, a traditional pour over method using a cloth filter for a smooth, flavorful cup.
Final Thoughts
Coffee culture may look completely different around the world, but the love of coffee is worldwide.
