☕️Around the World in 8 Cups: How Different Cultures Enjoy Coffee

Introduction: A Global Love for Coffee

Coffee is more than just a beverage—it's a cultural experience, a daily ritual, and in many places, a symbol of hospitality. Across continents and centuries, people have crafted their own unique coffee traditions that reflect their identity, climate, and community values. In this blog post, we’ll take you on a flavorful journey through eight countries to discover how coffee is enjoyed, celebrated, and savored in ways you might never have imagined.

1. Ethiopia – The Birthplace of Coffee

 In Ethiopia, coffee isn’t just consumed—it’s revered. Known as the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia has a deeply rooted cultural tradition called the coffee ceremony, where green coffee beans are freshly roasted, hand-ground with a mortar and pestle, and brewed in a clay pot known as a jebena.

This ceremony can last up to two hours and includes three rounds of coffee: abol (the first and strongest), tona, and baraka (blessing). It’s often accompanied by snacks like popcorn or roasted barley and is an essential part of social gatherings.

☕ Key flavors: Earthy, floral, citrusy
📍 Try this: Our Ethiopian single origin coffee

2. Italy – Espresso, Fast and Flavorful

 In Italy, coffee is part of the rhythm of daily life. The espresso bar is a cornerstone of Italian culture—locals often start their day with a quick shot of espresso standing at the counter. There are unwritten rules, too: cappuccinos are a morning-only drink, and coffee after a meal is usually a small, strong espresso.

Espresso isn’t just about speed—it’s about intensity. A good shot is thick, aromatic, and topped with a golden crema. Despite its simplicity, Italians take pride in the precision of the pull.

☕ Key flavors: Rich, bold, slightly bitter
📍 Try this: Brew our Espresso Huli for an authentic Italian shot

3. Japan – Brewing as Art

 Japan blends minimalism with meticulous technique. Coffee is often brewed via pour-over methods like the Hario V60, which allows for clarity and control over extraction. The experience is often slow and meditative, with careful attention to water temperature, timing, and grind size.

Traditional kissaten (Japanese coffee houses) still serve coffee via siphon brewers—a theatrical and scientific process that emphasizes presentation. In recent decades, Japan has also embraced specialty cafés, focusing on origin and craft.

☕ Key flavors: Clean, nuanced, balanced
📍 Try this: Brew with our Brazil Carmo de Minas for a smooth, balanced experience

4. Vietnam – Sweet, Strong, and Iced

 Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer, and it has a style all its own. Coffee is brewed using a phin filter, a metal drip brewer that sits atop the cup. Most commonly, the brewed coffee is poured over sweetened condensed milk and ice, resulting in cà phê sữa đá.

In cooler months, locals enjoy cà phê trứng—a rich, dessert-like egg coffee whipped with sugar and egg yolk. Vietnam's coffee culture is flavorful, distinctive, and refreshingly different.

☕ Key flavors: Bold, sweet, chocolaty
📍 Try this: Brew our Roaster's Choice Coffee for a bold, versatile option

5. Sweden – Fika and the Art of Coffee Breaks

 Swedes drink more coffee per capita than almost any other country—and it’s largely thanks to fika. More than a coffee break, fika is a ritual that prioritizes slowing down, socializing, and enjoying something sweet alongside your cup.

Swedish coffee is typically medium roasted and served with cinnamon buns, cardamom rolls, or small cookies. It's not about caffeine; it's about connection.

☕ Key flavors: Mellow, smooth, comforting
📍 Try this: Pair our Mexico Coffee with a cinnamon roll or cardamom bun

6. Cuba – Sweet Shots and Social Sips

 Cuban coffee culture is all about flavor and fellowship. The signature café cubano is made by whipping the first few drops of strong espresso with sugar to create espuma, a frothy foam that tops the drink. It’s typically brewed using a moka pot.

This small but potent cup is often shared—families and neighbors gather to sip and chat. It’s a daily ritual that celebrates both strength and sweetness.

☕ Key flavors: Strong, sugary, caramel-like
📍 Try this: Brew our Espresso Huli for a sweet, bold Cuban-style cup

7. Turkey – Thick, Traditional, and Timeless

 In Turkey, coffee is brewed in a small pot called a cezve, using very finely ground coffee, water, and sugar (optional). The coffee is never stirred once it begins brewing, and it's served unfiltered—meaning the grounds settle at the bottom of the cup.

Often enjoyed slowly and paired with Turkish delight, this coffee is more than a drink—it's a symbol of hospitality and conversation.

☕ Key flavors: Intense, sludgy, slightly spiced
📍 Try this: Use a fine grind and simmer slowly over low heat

8. United States – From Diner Drip to Specialty Sips

 Coffee in the U.S. is incredibly diverse—from bottomless diner mugs to meticulously brewed single origins. In the last 20 years, the third-wave coffee movement has emphasized transparency, direct trade, and experimentation.

Americans love customization, and trends range from nitro cold brew to oat milk lattes. With so many brewing options, coffee in the U.S. is both a daily fuel and a form of self-expression.

☕ Key flavors: Variety, innovation, customization
📍 Try this: Grab our Diner Blend for a true American classic

9. Seattle – Our Home, Your Roaster

 As the birthplace of major coffee chains and indie roasters alike, Seattle has long been a coffee capital. At Seven Coffee Roasters, we proudly continue the tradition of fresh-roasted, small-batch coffee rooted in relationships and community.

Whether you're stopping by Seven Market Café or ordering beans online, you're joining a coffee culture that values craftsmanship, quality, and connection.

☕ Key flavors: Local love, global quality
📍 Try this: Explore our full coffee collection

Final Sip: Coffee Beyond Borders

Coffee connects people across cultures, continents, and time zones. From the ceremonial brews of Ethiopia to the quick shots of Italy, every culture has found a way to make coffee its own. And each tradition is worth savoring.

Want to explore the world one cup at a time? Discover something new with every roast you try.

🔗 Shop Our Single Origin Coffees →