Coffee around the world – International Coffee Day

October 1st is International Coffee Day which is when people celebrate the many wonders of coffee. It recognises people from around the world who have been working hard to create and serve us our favourite drink. With an estimated 3 billion cups of coffee consumed daily, it’s a vital part of global culture and here, coffee is at the heart of our business.

We’re taking a look at how coffee is enjoyed differently around the world from espressos in Italy to the more bizarre cheese coffee from Sweden. So why not mix things up and try something a little different to celebrate?

Swedish kaffeost

This drink gets a lot of interest due to its unusual take on what we consider to be typical. Kaffeost literally translates to “coffee cheese” which is hot coffee poured over Leipäjuusto or ‘bread’ cheese. The cubes absorb the coffee like a sponge so they soften and take on the smooth flavour. People enjoy it for its buttery and nutty taste. You can find out how to make the perfect kaffeost here.

Flat whites in Australia and New Zealand

A popular choice here in the UK, the flat white is fairly easy to make. You simply take espresso coffee and mix with a small amount of steamed milk and a layer of microfoam. It’s similar to a latte but is stronger and has a velvety consistency. If you don’t have an office coffee machine that can serve up a flat white, you can also make your own here.

Greek Frappe

Best enjoyed on bright sunny days, the frappe is a popular iced coffee drink invented by Dimitris Vakondios, a Nescafe employee in 1957 in Greece. You’ll find it easy to make at home or in the office using coffee, water, sugar and milk. Then all you need to do is shake it up using a cocktail shaker or with a milk frother to create a foamy consistency and pour over ice. Need a hand? Here’s a simple recipe to follow.

The classic Italian espresso

Espresso is a coffee that originates from Italy and started gaining popularity back in the 80s. Italy is famous for its cafe culture and on average Italians drink four cups of coffee daily. Espresso is brewed in coffee machines via a unique process of forcing a lower volume of steaming water through ground beans at high pressure. This gives it a bold flavour and a honey-coloured ‘crema’ that sits at the top.

Turkish coffee

If you love a strong, rich brew, Turkish coffee will become one of your new favourites. Turkish coffee is very finely ground beans, which is then left in the coffee when served. It originates from Middle Eastern and European countries and people prepare it using a special brewing method that results in a robust flavour. Brewed in a special pot called a cezve and served in small cups, many people choose to sweeten with sugar and cardamom.

Have we missed any out that you love? Drop us a line to let us know!

Coffee has the unique ability to bring people together and today, more than ever, this is really important. So take a moment to share a coffee with a friend or co-worker. However, if you need any advice on coffee-making or information on any of our office coffee machines, please get in touch with us. Meanwhile, we’re on hand to help and we wish you a happy International Coffee Day.