Australia
Lifestyle meets tradition
Australia has developed into one of the most innovative coffee hotspots in the world, characterized by a passion for quality and community. The "Flat White" is the star here. This creamy combination of 1/3 espresso and 2/3 finely frothed milk is the flagship of Australian coffee culture. The café scene is not just a place for coffee, but also a place to meet, exchange ideas and be creative. In the morning, Australians flock to their favorite cafés to get their daily cup of perfectly brewed coffee - always accompanied by a friendly chat with other guests and a relaxed atmosphere.
The Australian passion for coffee has its roots in Italian immigration after the Second World War, among other things. The Italians brought with them high-quality espresso machines and their "Cultura del Caffè", which also found its way into Australian culture.
Tip for everyday life
Immerse yourself in Australian coffee culture by preparing a homemade flat white. Use fresh beans, brew a strong espresso and add finely frothed milk. Or discover the "Long Black" to try a more intense variant. This is similar to a classic Americano, but is prepared slightly differently: The espresso shot is poured into hot water instead of the other way around, as with the Americano.
Where it all began
Ethiopia is considered the cradle of coffee, as this is where the coffee bean and its effects were discovered. The traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a true art form that welcomes guests. This includes roasting the green beans directly before the coffee is boiled. The freshly roasted beans are ground and poured into a special coffee pot called a "jabana" - a bulbous vessel, usually made of clay, with a long neck. The coffee is then traditionally boiled in the pot directly on charcoal or an open flame. After the first boil, the coffee is allowed to settle briefly before being poured into small cups through the narrow spout without a filter. This ceremony symbolizes community and hospitality and often lasts several hours, during which the jabana is refilled with water two or three times and the coffee is brewed again.
Tip for everyday life
You too can host a small Ethiopian coffee ceremony at home with friends and experience a warm, communal atmosphere, accompanied by the aromatic scent of coffee beans.
Ethiopia
Japan
Precision and aesthetics in one cup
Japan has perfected coffee in its very own way. The focus here is on quality, precision and beauty. Pour-over coffee, prepared with delicate tools such as the famous Hario V60, is particularly popular. Hot water is poured slowly and evenly over ground coffee in a paper filter. The filter is first rinsed with hot water before the ground coffee is poured in. After the so-called "blooming", in which a small amount of water is poured onto the coffee to release CO₂, the remaining water is slowly added in circular movements and the finished coffee drips through the filter into the pot. Each cup is treated like a small work of art and the preparation is almost meditative.Kan Kohi" - ready-bottled coffee from a can - is also a cult drink in Japan and can be found in almost every vending machine.
Tip for everyday life
Try the pour-over method for yourself and consciously take time for your morning coffee ritual.
Coffee with history and magic
Turkish coffee is not just a drink, but also a part of tradition and even divination! It is prepared in a small pot, the "ibrik" or "cezve", and poured directly into the cup, leaving the coffee grounds at the bottom. To prepare the coffee, water is heated in the cezve over a low heat. Sugar is added as soon as the water begins to boil. When the water and sugar mixture starts to boil, finely ground coffee powder is added and carefully stirred. The Turkish coffee can then be boiled until a frothy crown forms. This foam is spooned off and the coffee is boiled a second time and poured into the cups. To prevent the coffee grounds from being stirred up, the coffee should no longer be stirred. After drinking, the coffee grounds are often used for a small divination in which the patterns are interpreted - a charming addition to the enjoyment of coffee.
Tip for everyday life
Experiment with Turkish coffee and experience how the taste and texture differ from your usual filter coffee. Invite friends over, serve homemade coffee from the Cezve - and try your hand at a little coffee fortune-telling together. Even if you're not fortune tellers, interpreting the patterns is guaranteed to get people talking!
Turkey
Germany
Coffee and cake as a tradition
Coffee also has a long tradition in Germany and is an integral part of everyday life. One of the best-known occasions to enjoy coffee is the classic "Kaffeeklatsch" in the afternoon. A freshly brewed cup of filter coffee is often served with a slice of cake - from apple strudel to Black Forest gateau to simple butter cake. This ritual is firmly anchored in many households and brings families and friends together.
A special tradition from the Bergisches Land region is the so-called Bergische Kaffeetafel. A classic coffee table consists of freshly brewed coffee, which is traditionally served in a pewter or fine stoneware coffee pot, and various specialties. These include brown bread, raisin stout, pumpernickel, cream cheese, butter, honey and jam as well as sausage and cheese. Of course, the sweet part is not to be missed either: Waffles with hot cherries, cream and cinnamon round off the experience. The Bergische Kaffeetafel was originally a feast prepared for larger gatherings and is now a popular way to enjoy regional hospitality.
Filter coffee, which reached its peak in the 1950s and 60s, is making a real comeback today - not least thanks to the Third Wave movement, which is also becoming increasingly popular in Germany. Classic filter coffee, often lovingly brewed in a coffee machine or by hand, remains an undisputed favorite for daily coffee enjoyment.
Tip for everyday life
Invite friends or family over for a little "Bergische Kaffeetafel"! Experiment with homemade waffles and serve them with hand-brewed coffee. For an authentic experience, you can try out traditional regional ingredients and revive the old custom.
A journey through the world of coffee - and a sip full of inspiration
The diversity of coffee culture around the world is fascinating. Whether in the casualness of Australia, the coziness of Ethiopia, the aesthetics of Japan, the mysticism of Turkey or the convivial tradition of Germany - coffee connects people and cultures. Why not try something new and enjoy the world in a cup? Perhaps a typical national ritual will inspire you to create your own personal coffee moment.
