In the late 16th century, when coffee began to be introduced to Europe through Italy under the name “Islamic wine,” it was expensive and only the nobility could afford to drink it. That’s why coffee was even called “black gold.” Nowadays, Europeans take pride in their coffee culture, which has given rise to new philosophies, politics, and numerous free thinkers. Considering the importance of coffee to Europeans, it’s no surprise to find a variety of coffee types and drinking methods here.
Espresso
Country of origin: Italy
In Italian, “espresso” means quick or fast, and it refers to the rapid process of forcing hot water through finely ground and tightly packed coffee. This method extracts the most concentrated flavors of coffee, resulting in a strong and intense shot that is then served in a small cup. Generally, the concentration of espresso is twice that of regular coffee. For Italians, apart from dinnertime, it’s common to enjoy a cup of espresso during the day.
Café Crème
Country of origin: France
Café Crème is typically a shot of espresso with added steamed milk, similar to a cappuccino but without the frothed milk. Parisians, however, usually prefer to have their milk coffee at home, as part of their breakfast routine, rather than ordering it at a café.
Cappuccino
Country of origin: Italy
In the early 20th century, an Italian named Achille Gaggia invented the steam pressure coffee machine and also developed the cappuccino. It consists of pouring steamed and frothed milk over a shot of strong coffee. The color of the coffee resembles the brown robes with a white hood worn by Capuchin friars, hence the name “cappuccino.” A traditional cappuccino is made with equal parts of espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk, topped with a sprinkle of powdered cinnamon.
Eiskaffee
Country of origin: Portugal
Eiskaffee is a coffee drink made with three parts steamed milk and one part coffee. It has a slightly sweet taste due to the lower proportion of coffee. The perfect accompaniment to this beverage is a Portuguese egg tart.
As one of the world’s three major beverages, coffee comes in various types, and different European countries specialize in different coffee traditions. When you visit Europe and want to indulge in a relaxing afternoon tea, don’t forget to visit a coffee shop and savor a cup of coffee.
