Almost every country in the world these days is having a love affair with coffee, with Instagram-worthy coffee shops and roasteries popping up in every town and city worth their salt.
But some countries have a longer tradition with the caffeine drink than others and it is in these places that you can still order a cup of joe as it has been brewed for years (or even centuries).
Here are some of the most unique coffee drinks around the world and how you should expect your cuppa to be served should you order them.
Europe
Kaffeost, Finland
This name literally translates to ‘coffee cheese’ for the exact reason that this is a cup of coffee with pieces of cheese floating in it. Before you get freaked out though, the cheese used in this recipe is a sweet curd cheese that doesn’t melt, meaning that the cubes soak up the rich flavour of the coffee and provide you with a unique and interesting flavour.
Cafe Bonbon, Spain
The perfect pick-me-up for those with a sweet tooth, bonbon coffee combines equal parts espresso and sweetened condensed milk in a small cup. Is that your heart racing? Quite probably.
Frappe, Greece
This iced coffee drink originated in Greece, but it prolific around many parts of Eastern Europe too (I had them in Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia). Baristas won’t be too impressed with the quality of the coffee in this drink, as it uses a base of packet Nescafe coffee blended with water, sugar and sometime ice. If you’re lucky, you might also get it topped with a big dollop of whipped cream, too.
Wiener Melange, Austria
Traditionally, this Viennese coffee is similar to a cappuccino, except it features a single shot of espresso topped with both steamed milk and milk foam. The result is a milder, milkier coffee. Some coffee houses, however, serve a Wiener Melange as a coffee blended with cocoa and then topped with foam. If you have a Nespresso machine at home, you can easily make a similar version of this Austrian classic by brewing chocolate-flavoured espresso pods (gourmesso.com have a tasty version) and topping it with frothed milk.
The Americas
Espresso Romano, Provenance Unknown (but possibly North America)
No-one’s really sure where the espresso romano was created (despite its name, it apparently has no ties to Italy), but we do know that it only seems to make an appearance in North America. It is a way of serving espresso with a slice of lemon on the side; what yo do with that lemon rind is up o you. Either run it along the rim of the cup to enhance the flavour of the coffee, suck on it before you take a sip (a la tequila), or pop it into the cup (perhaps the most unorthodox method).
Double Double, Canada
Technically the ‘Double Double’ is a creation of well-loved Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons, but has grown to become the country’s favourite way to take coffee. It refers to ordering a coffee with two creams and two sugars that results in a decadent caffeine drink.
Lagrima, Argentina
This isn’t so much as a coffee drink as a milk drink; Argentinians make this by filling a cup with steamed milk and foam, then adding the smallest ‘teardrop’ of coffee. Perhaps not the one to order if you need an energy boost, but a great alternative for those who are sensitive to caffeine or want a less stimulating evening drink.
Cafezinho, Brazil
Cafezinho is typically much stronger in concentration that your typical espresso or drip coffee and is prepared by heating water and sugar and then adding the ground coffee. This thick, sweet style of coffee is usually served black.
Cafe Cubano, Cuba
Taking the humble espresso up a notch, a cafe cubano features demerara sugar placed into the espresso glass before the coffee is poured – or dripped – on top of it. This the result is a small, sweet shot of coffee that is perfect for those who don’t like dairy but still want a coffee treat.
Australasia
Flat White, Australia/New Zealand
No-one is sure whether it is Australia or New Zealand who can claim the crown of having invented the flat white coffee first (there’s evidence documenting the drink in both countries in the ‘80s but no real official proof). Either way, it has now become a staple at coffee shops around the world. It is essentially a single or double shot of espresso topped with a layer of ‘microfoam’ (steamed milk with a velvety consistency). It is similar to a latte, but with a higher proportion of coffee to milk.
Asia
Egg Coffee, Vietnam
Think of this as a dessert in a cup. Egg coffee is made by extracting brewed coffee into a cup, then topping with a creamy head of whisked egg yolks, condensed milk and sugar. Some coffee shops in Hanoi even add melted butter to the egg cream for an added silkiness.
White Coffee, Malaysia
You’ll see chain coffee shops all over Malaysia selling white coffee, along with instant versions of it in local supermarkets, The coffee beans used in white coffee have been roasted with margarine and then brewed and served with condensed milk. White coffee can be served ether hot or over ice.
Africa
Café Touba, Senegal
Café Touba is distinctly festive in its aroma and taste, as the coffee beans that are used to produce the drink are roasted and ground with Guinea pepper and sometimes even cloves. The coffee is prepared using a drip filter, resulting in a strong, spiced brew.
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