Black coffee is most prominent in European countries such as Italy and Spain, Middle Eastern nations such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia, and North American countries, specifically the United States and Canada. Latin American and East Asian countries are more likely to serve coffee with milk, cream, or sweeteners rather than taking it black.
The rest of this article will describe some of the most prominent black coffee drinks in various countries throughout the world.
What kind of black coffee does Italy enjoy?
Anyone who has set foot in a Starbucks and had trouble deciding between a Grande or a Venti can guess at the Italian influence on international coffee culture. Arguably the most well-known Italian contribution to coffeemaking is the espresso method of brewing, which uses heat and pressure to create a drink that is small in volume but high in flavor and thickness.
What other black coffee drinks are enjoyed in Italy?
Apart from the classic espresso, Italian residents also enjoy black coffee drinks like the caffè americano, which adds water to an espresso-brewed cup of black coffee in order to increase the volume of the drink (similar to the amount found in a typical American cup of drip coffee) while somewhat retaining the uniquely concentrated flavor of the espresso.
Does Central Europe drink black coffee?
Austria is well-known for its culture of Viennese coffeehouses, which focus as much on the atmosphere of reading a newspaper while seated on a classic bistro chair as it does on the coffee itself. One notable drink is the Einspänner Coffee, which is a strong black coffee (similar in brewing strength to an espresso) that is topped with heavy whipping cream and a side of powdered sugar.
How is black coffee enjoyed in Spain and Portugal?
Spain has a prominent coffee culture, with café available for consumption at nearly every meal throughout the day. Spain’s repertoire includes its most popular coffee drink, the café solso, which is a strong, espresso-based coffee served in a small glass without milk. Meanwhile, Portugal enjoys the bica, which is similar to an espresso but is brewed from lighter roasted beans.
Do these countries only drink black coffee?
Even in European countries where black coffee is popular, non-black coffee is still common. For example, in Spain, the next-most popular coffee behind the black café solo is the café con leche, which is made with espresso mixed with scalded milk. Likewise, in Italy, espressos are not always left black but are often mixed with steamed milk, as in a cappuccino.
Is black coffee less popular in the rest of Europe?
While black coffee can be found throughout Europe, it is typically less preferred than tea (e.g. in the United Kingdom) or a coffee that has been mixed with additives. One popular non-black European coffee drink is the Irish coffee, which mixes coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar that is then topped with cream.
Which countries in the Middle East drink black coffee?
As its name would suggest, Arabic coffee is popular throughout the Arab world, which encompasses much of North Africa and the Middle East (e.g. Saudia Arabia and Yemen). This bitter drink is produced by roasting coffea arabica beans along with a spice called cardamom. The beans are then ground, brewed, and served black, although sugar may be offered. According to UNESCO, Arabic coffee is associated with hospitality and generosity.
What is Turkish coffee?
Elsewhere in the Middle East, Turkey prepares its own version of coffee by finely grinding beans (typically arabica varieties, although robusta beans from sub-Saharan Africa are also acceptable) and then bringing the water and ground beans to a near-boil inside of a small copper or brass pot called a cezve. After frothing, the coffee is poured into small porcelain cups, and sugar may be added if desired.
Doesn’t Greece also have “Turkish coffee”?
“Greek coffee” (ellinikós kafés) is a black coffee drink that is similar to Turkish coffee and was actually referred to as such until relations between the two nations broke down in the mid-20th century. In Greece, such coffee may be brewed in the sketos fashion (completely black), the metrios fashion (brewed with a single teaspoon of sugar), or in the glykos fashion (brewed with multiple teaspoons of sugar).
What does black coffee look like in the United States and Canada?
Canada and the United States are home to mega-chains (such as Tim Horton’s and Starbucks) that serve a variety of coffees, including but not limited to various black coffee drinks. In addition, the image of drip coffee being brewed by a trusty Mr. Coffee machine is quintessentially American. Even when on the go, Americans and Canadians can grab a dark black coffee from a gas station or donut shop.
Is black coffee enjoyed in Latin America?
Although Latin America is well known as a large producer of coffee beans, coffee is often served from instant packets or Nescafé mix instead of brewed from beans. In addition, many of the residents of Latin America prefer the creamier café con leche over black coffee. However, in Ecuador, black coffee brewed from fresh beans can be ordered by asking for café filtrado.
How popular is black coffee in East Asia?
The geographic area of the world with perhaps the least preference for coffee is East Asia, where coffee is often dismissed as a “Western” drink or simply preferred less than tea. Even where coffee is enjoyed, such as Vietnam, it is typically served with sweetened condensed milk. However, Cambodia stands out by serving strong black coffee that has been dark-roasted in fat.
Is black coffee popular in Ethiopia?
Residents of Ethiopia, the home of the coffee bean, traditionally roast, grind, and brew coffee at the tableside over the course of an hour, with the coffee being brewed three times and then served black. Guests do have the option to add sugar or traditional butter to the black coffee, which is often served with savory snacks like popcorn, peanuts, or a celebration bread called Ambasha.
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Are you curious about which of the many countries in the world drink black coffee? Read our detailed guide to find out!
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.
