Unique Coffee Culture of Finland

Finland is known for its coffee culture. There is no secret that Finns love coffee, and in fact the country has been named one of the top coffee-drinking nations in the world. Coffee breaks are mandatory by law in employment.

But what makes Finland’s coffee culture so unique? Why are Finns so passionate about their coffee? This guide covers everything you need to know about Finland’s coffee culture!

Finland’s Coffee History

The first coffee beans in Finland were brought by Swedish settlers in the 17th century. The settlers also roasted the coffee beans over an open fire, which is how Finnish coffee gets its unique taste and flavor.

In the early days, coffee was mostly consumed by the upper class and was seen as a luxury item. These days, coffee is consumed by people from all walks of life and is seen as a necessity by many. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that coffee became more widely available and affordable for the average person in Finland. This was possible because of improved technology and transportation, which made it easier to import coffee beans from other countries.

Soon, coffeehouses were created in Helsinki and other important cities. Over the years, coffee has become an important part of Finnish daily life Coffee has become an important part of Finnish social culture and daily life over the years.

How the Coffee Culture in Finland is Different from Elsewhere

Some things that make Finnish coffee culture unique are that they take their coffee seriously and have a deep respect for tradition, yet they’re also constantly innovating. Finns are known for brewing their coffee differently than most people. Most use a drip coffee maker to produce a strong and flavorful cup of coffee. Other countries in Europe tend to prefer espresso.

In Finland, coffee is usually drunk black, without milk or sugar. Finns believe that milk and sugar mask the flavor of coffee.

Social Norms of Coffee in Finland

In Finland, coffee plays an important role in social interactions. One of the key social customs surrounding coffee is that when you invite someone into your home, you must offer them a cup of coffee. It is considered very rude not to offer to share food equally, and also to refuse to share.

You will usually be served a very small coffee, but you can always ask for more. Some families have a custom where the person hosting doesn’t drink coffee before the guest arrives.

Some Finns have coffee cups that are reserved for special occasions or everyday use. The common one is “pyhäkupit” (holy cups).

Finns are usually quite direct, so if they invite you out for coffee, they may just want to discuss business. It is common for people to have one cup of coffee and then move on with their day. Some people simply appreciate the coffee without talking.

Some common social norms for coffee also include:

“läksiäiskahvit” (farewell coffee)
“mitalikahvit” (for winning a medal)
“matkakahvi” (coffee for travel).
“vaalikahvit” (election coffee)

Some popular coffee norms here include:

“aamukahvi” (morning coffee)
“päiväkahvi” (day coffee)
“iltakahvi” (evening coffee)
“saunakahvi” (sauna coffee)

How the Finns Make Their Coffee

Finnish coffee is made using a method called “pulled coffee”, which is also sometimes called “stovetop coffee”. This method of coffee brewing involves boiling water in a pot (usually on a stovetop), then adding coffee grounds and allowing them to brew for a few minutes before removing them from the heat. To make coffee using this method, heat water in a pot on the stove and then add coffee grounds. The mixture is then stirred and allowed to simmer for a few minutes, before serving.

Drip coffee makers are also popular in Finland. The preferred drink is straight black coffee, not espresso or milk-based coffees. This is true for both of the brewing styles mentioned in the text.

Finnish Coffee Facts

There are many fascinating facts about coffee in Finland, here are some of them:

Finns drink an average of 2.9 cups per day, some Finns drink up to 9 cups per day.
Finland is in the top 3 coffee-consuming countries per capita.
In Finland ‘Kahvi’ means coffee.
It’s law in Finland to have 2 coffee breaks at work.
Coffee is generally enjoyed black or with milk and sugar.
Finland has one of the highest rates of baristas per capita.
Finland is home to over 25,000+ coffee shops, and around 2,000 coffee roasting companies.
Finland cannot produce coffee and it must be important, therefore roasters are integral to developing coffee for consumption.
The most popular coffee in Finland is the ‘kaffeost’, which is a coffee with cheese. It is made by adding a piece of Finnish bread to the coffee. The bread soaks up the coffee and gives it a unique flavor. Many people enjoy this type of coffee because it is not as bitter as a traditional coffee. That is the most popular in terms of tradition and culture.
The ‘korvapuusti’, which means “cinnamon bun” is also very popular. This type of coffee is made with a special cinnamon pastry and it has a rich and flavorful taste.

Coffee Cultures in Other Parts of Europe

Italy

In Italy, about 14 billion cups of espresso are consumed per year. It appears that for Italians, espresso has replaced brewed coffee as the beverage of choice. This is because most coffee houses only serve espresso-based drinks and not brewed coffee. To get a brewed coffee, you would need to order a caffe Americano, which is espresso with extra hot water added to it.

Italian Espresso Beverages

Most Italian coffee drinks are made with espresso as their base. espresso served in a small cup cappuccino – Espresso with milk and steamed milk foam. coffee with milk and foam To get something that tastes like a brewed coffee, you will need to order a caffé Americano.

Doppio – Two shots of espresso served in a demitasse.
Caffe ristretto – A caffé made with less water. This makes the espresso stronger.
Caffe macchiato – Espresso served with a small amount of warm milk.
Caffe con Panna – Espresso served with whipped cream.
Caffe lungo – Similar to a caffe Americano except the hot water is run through the same coffee grounds used to brew the espresso.
Cappuccino – Espresso with steamed milk foam.
Caffe freddo – Espresso with ice
Caffe shakerato – Espresso shaken with sugar until frothy and then poured over ice
Caffe affogato – Espresso with a small scoop of gelato (usually vanilla)

Italian Coffee Culture

The term “Bar” in Italy can refer to either an espresso bar or a coffee shop. They are usually advertised with the same name. Most are independently owned. There are not many Starbucks stores open in Italy. The first was opened in 2018.

You can find a bar on every street corner in Italy. In addition to serving coffee, many of these espresso bars also offer wine and liquor. So, you can come by in the morning on your way to work for coffee, and on the way home get a drink to relax. Even though they serve alcoholic beverages, Italians will drink espresso at any time of day. The bar is a place where people can come to socialize or read the paper. This is one of the most important functions of the bar. No to-go cups here!

Even though Italians gather at bars, they also drink coffee at home. The Moka pot is the best option since it is small and does not require a lot of training to operate.

Greece

The story of coffee in Greece begins with the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 when the Ottoman Turks took over. The Turks inherited coffee from the Arab Muslim world and have been consuming it.

“Greek” or “Turkish” Coffee?

The cezve/briki method is the primary method they used to make their coffee. It is a small pot with a long handle. It is made of brass or copper. If you want sugar in your coffee, feel free to add it, but know that it’s not traditional to do so. Most people also don’t add milk or cream to their coffee when they make it this way.

This name has been a subject of controversy for the past fifty years. Turkish coffee has been around for most of history and was known as Turkish coffee among the Greeks. The Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 caused the drink to become politicized on a near-official level.

Greek Coffee Beverages

The most traditional Greek coffee beverage is made in the bríki. There are other beverages that are popular, but not as popular as water. The briki is not as popular in everyday life outside of ceremonial settings like diplomatic meetings or when receiving guests. Some Greeks today prefer espresso over traditional Greek coffee. Here are the most popular Greek coffee beverages:

Frapé – A cold beverage made from instant coffee, milk, ice, and sugar. You can order it skétos (plain), métrios (medium sweetened), glykós (sweet), varí glykós (very sweet).
Frédo – Iced espresso often served with milk or cream, much like the Italian caffe freddo.
Frédo kapoutsíno – The Greeks invented democracy, the Olympics, and the discipline of philosophy. This time they’ve shown Starbucks that it is in fact possible to make an iced cappuccino!
Bríki – The traditional Greek coffee made from finely ground medium roast brought to a boil in a brass or copper pot on the stovetop.

Greek Coffee Culture

A survey of traditional Greek coffee culture would be incomplete if we did not discuss the kafenío. This coffee shop is very traditional and is mostly for men.

It is more of an establishment, a men’s club. Kafenías are not as common as they used to be, you’ll mostly find them in villages or tourist traps. This place was for men to hang out, play games, and talk about what was going on in the world. The women usually would meet in each other’s homes.

The café is the coffee shop in the more modern Western European sense. It is a place open to all. Though many cafes will still serve Greek coffee, most will serve espresso. However, espresso is usually preferred these days.

To-go coffee is a ne invention in Greece and some people might see it as a cultural transgression. Den pirázi! Greeks have a common attitude of not caring. Work can wait. Sit. You can enjoy coffee or espresso with breakfast, Turkish delight (loukoumi), or baklava for dessert.

France

The coffee culture in France is very similar to the coffee culture in Italy. The French have their own versions of Italian espresso-based drinks, which are either literal translations or close in concept to the originals. Even though the French sometimes call espresso café express, that doesn’t mean it’s quick! This does not mean that it is made to go out the door of the café with you!

French Espresso Beverages

Some of the most popular espresso drinks in France are: – the ‘noisette’, which is an espresso with a touch of steamed milk, – the ‘cappuccino’, which is an espresso with a lot of steamed milk and foam, – the ‘latte’, which is an espresso with a lot of steamed milk and a little foam, – the ‘mocha’, which is an espresso with chocolate syrup and steamed milk. Where applicable we have mentioned their Italian equivalent.

Café noir/café express – This is a single shot of espresso served in a demitasse. Italian equivalent: Caffe.
Café filtré – This is essentially drip coffee but is usually consumed in homes rather than in cities.
Café allongé – Espresso diluted with hot water run through the same grounds to make the espresso. Italian equivalent: Caffe lungo.
Noisette – Espresso served with a small amount of steamed milk. The color is that of a hazelnut, which is what noisette Italian equivalent: Caffe macchiato
Café au lait – This is café filtré served with hot milk in a large bowl-like mug. It is different from a latte in that it uses strong drip coffee instead of espresso. The Spanish have their own version called café con leche.
Café crème – Espresso with a decent amount of steamed milk foam on top. Italian equivalent:

French Coffee Culture

Coffee with milk is most commonly consumed before lunchtime. Coffee is only ever consumed with breakfast. A straight café noir is preferred in the afternoon to help you stay focused. People usually drink coffee between meals, or sometimes after meals to help with digestion.

Coffee is always enjoyed in the place of purchase. This is because most French people prefer to sit down and savor their coffee. Few French people take their coffee to go because they would rather sit and enjoy it.

Cafes in the morning are full of people getting ready for the day or just relaxing and enjoying their drinks. The smoke from cigarettes usually hangs in the air, especially at outdoor café seating areas.

Final Thoughts

If you’re planning to visit Europe and don’t drink coffee, you should start now. It will be hard not to get involved in their coffee culture. If you don’t have a cup with you, some people might think you’re being rude.

When you go to Finland, people may be quietly sipping coffee without much conversation. This is part of the coffee culture in Finland!