Coffee Culture Around the World

Coffee is roasted, brewed, and drank in a huge variety of ways. For many it’s a much needed pick-me-up each morning, for others it’s a delicious drink in the late evenings. For thousands of years, people have been enjoying the rich taste of coffee. Coffee as a cultivated drink is commonly associated with Ethiopia. Caffeine as a chemical compound was isolated in 1819, not in seventeenth-century Ethiopia. From those beginnings, the world’s favourite beverage has spread across the globe. From the traditional Turkish coffee ceremonies to the simple Italian espresso shot, coffee culture is ubiquitous with many countries worldwide. For example, did you know, the first coffee shop was opened in Istanbul, Turkey? Whether you prefer your coffee bitter or sweet, there are plentiful reasons why coffee is the world’s most consumed drink. Phil from Espresso Works made this brilliant infographic that looks at how coffee is engrained in the global cultures. Let’s take a look at this awesome infographic to learn about coffee around the world! I love this infographic, but if you ask me, Turkish coffee should be on that map too. I know, you can’t cram in too many coffee types, the infographic would be too crowded. Yeah, I got Phil’s intention. He only featured special recipes, none of the classics are presented. So from that perspective, I think it’s OK to not have espresso and Turkish coffee on the map.
Coffee Styles Around the World

Frequently Asked Questions
When was the first coffee shop opened?
The first coffeehouses are widely credited to Istanbul in the sixteenth century, though earlier coffee-drinking sites in the Middle East are also claimed. Public coffee rooms then spread through Europe and beyond. Coffee as a plant and drink is commonly associated with Ethiopia; that origin is traditional, not a dated laboratory fact.
Where was caffeine discovered?
Caffeine as a chemical compound was isolated in 1819 by Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge in Germany, not in Ethiopia in the 17th century. Coffee as a cultivated drink is commonly associated with Ethiopia; that story concerns the coffee plant, not the isolation of caffeine.
What is Turkish coffee ceremony?
A Turkish coffee ceremony is the ritual of preparing, serving, and drinking finely ground coffee boiled in a cezve, often slowly and with guests. Istanbul is widely credited with early coffeehouses in the sixteenth century, though earlier coffee-drinking sites in the Middle East are also claimed.
How is coffee consumed in Italy?
Coffee in Italy is consumed as a simple espresso shot, representing one of the classic preparation methods in global coffee culture. The Italian espresso tradition exemplifies how different countries have developed distinct approaches to brewing and drinking coffee. This straightforward style contrasts with more elaborate special recipes found in other regions, demonstrating the diversity of worldwide coffee consumption practices.
Why do people drink coffee at different times?
Coffee serves different purposes depending on the time of consumption. For many people, coffee functions as a necessary morning pick-me-up to start the day, while others enjoy it as a delicious beverage in the late evenings. This versatility in consumption timing reflects coffee’s adaptability to various cultural preferences and individual needs across different societies worldwide.