Alarm clock, coffee, off to work: This is how we German coffee lovers most often start the day. Without our morning dose of caffeine, many of us feel like we can't function properly, turning the saying "work first, play later" on its head. But just as cultures around the world are diverse, so too are coffee-drinking habits.

In this article, we take a tour through Europe, exploring the coffee culture of different countries and discovering the latest coffee trends.

Learn about and explore trends: The origin of coffee

We begin our journey in the country where coffee is believed to have originated: Ethiopia—more precisely, in the Kaffa region. Coffee is said to have been first mentioned here as early as the ninth century. However, the beverage made from brewed beans only originated in Yemen in the 15th century, from where the trend of drinking coffee spread, giving the Arab countries the rise to a coffee monopoly.

Since when has coffee existed in Europe?

This then-novel beverage, which initially enjoyed great popularity among the nobility, found its way to Europe towards the end of the 16th century. Soon after, the first coffee houses followed in Venice, Oxford, London, and Marseille.

The first café opened in St. Germain in 1672. The first Viennese coffee house followed in 1685, and just three years later, the first coffee establishment was built in Paris, the city of love. Gradually, each country developed its own coffee culture and traditions. Let's take a closer look at the differences between them. Let's start in the culinary center where so much of Europe originates – Italy.

Dolce Vita and Coffee: How to Celebrate Coffee in Italy

Coffee tasting in Italy is extremely traditional. While there's little room for experimentation, coffee is enjoyed in a purist manner, with a particular emphasis on quality. Therefore, the taste is rarely "adulterated" by diluting or stretching the brown gold, but instead relies heavily on the aromas of the bean itself.

It's no wonder that ristretto and espresso are native to this region. They are coffee in its purest form and the result of precise preparation steps that each give it its own unique character. Thus, baristas, with their perfected craft, soon entered the "stage of the world" to demonstrate their coffee art to the masses.

In Italy, espresso and ristretto are preferred drinks.

Of course, people in Italy also enjoy their coffee during long social gatherings – but if you want to experience it the traditional Italian way, then order your espresso “al banco.” This way, you can enjoy the pick-me-up as you pass by, right at the bar, without having to sit down .

Viva España: How to drink your coffee in Spain

The Spanish are far less purist when it comes to coffee. Here, the coffee scene resembles a cocktail bar, with various liqueurs and spirits actually mixed with the caffeinated beverage . Even early in the morning, an alcoholic mix can be served. The "Barraquito" in particular stands out on the drinks menu due to its colorful selection of ingredients: It consists of espresso, Tía Maria (a liqueur made with coffee and sugar cane), condensed milk, foamed milk, cinnamon, and is served with a small slice of lime.

In Spain, coffee is mixed with various liqueurs.

For us in Germany, it's hard to imagine enjoying a piece of cake with this – but it's precisely this colorful variety of ingredients that reflects the popular diversity of Spain. The fact that people there still like to opt for the classic version is at least confirmed by the "Café Solo" – the equivalent of espresso. In fact, the coffee in Spain is very strong, which is due to the increased proportion of Arabica beans and the frequently used "Torrefacto" roasting process. During roasting, a little sugar is added to the beans, which wraps around the coffee beans like a protective covering and reduces the acidity. This means that even a very strong coffee can taste strongly aromatic without being particularly bitter. Let's continue our journey north.

C'est la vie: Coffee culture in France

When it comes to their coffee, the French, like the Italians, prioritize quality over quantity. Coffee in France is preferred in small quantities and black, often as a topping after a meal , which is famously celebrated in this country.

In France, coffee is often drunk after a meal.

The French press method of making your own coffee is widespread. Nevertheless, the capsule coffee machine has gradually continued its triumphant advance in recent years. Anyone who thinks capsule coffee machines are popular in Germany will be disabused of this notion by a glance at French and Italian households: Here, people love capsules and the variety they bring with them even more than in neighboring countries and elsewhere in the world.

Traditional cake and coffee in Germany and Austria

Meanwhile, in our regions, people indulge in the "coffee and cake culture." Always a welcome excuse for a sociable chat and a cozy get-together , coffee is often enjoyed in combination with a sweet snack such as cake or tart. Unlike in France or Italy, the mild lungo version of coffee is preferred when tasting cake.

Coffee is consumed in larger quantities in this country, although the quality of filter coffee, which is still widely available, cannot always compete with the beverages in Italy and France. The difference in quality compared to high-quality coffee beans is usually not noticeable when the caffeinated beverage is served and consumed with desserts and sweets.

A piece of cake with coffee is a tradition in Germany.

As the trend toward capsule coffee machines continues to grow, so does the demand for high-quality coffee. More and more people are turning to capsule coffee to support small roasters and conveniently prepare their favorite beverage at the touch of a button. This shift in thinking definitely saves time compared to traditional filter coffee brewing and enriches the German and Austrian "cake and coffee" tradition.

Enjoy new coffee trends together

Our journey has taken us across Europe so far, introducing us to a wide variety of taste preferences and preparation methods. In addition to traditional preparations, new recipes and trends are constantly emerging in the unusual and fast-paced barista scene – for example, the Finnish "mushroom coffee." In this recipe, powdered reishi mushrooms are mixed into the coffee and are said to strengthen the immune system and have healing properties.

Coffee isn't just a consumer product, it's a lifestyle that's celebrated in many different ways. While tastes differ when it comes to coffee tasting, they also bring people together and provide plenty of food for conversation. So try out new coffee trends, discover new traditions with family and friends, and protect the environment by consciously choosing sustainably compostable coffee capsules .

Cover photo by Nathan Dumlao. Additional photos by Ketut Subiyanto, Taylor Friehl, Oğuz Yağız Kara, and Helena Lopes.