Everyone loves a cup of coffee. There isn't anything much better than having a sip of coffee in the morning and getting the energy to go throughout your day. But in Europe, people tend to enjoy their coffee a bit differently.
Coffee has a rich history in Europe, and there are many ways to drink it on the continent. But this article focuses solely on the most popular ways to drink coffee in Europe.
And who knows, you might also find the right coffee variety for you!
Read on to learn more.
The History of Coffee in Europe
Coffee's history can be traced back hundreds of years to the wild coffee plants in Ethiopia. However, it wasn't until the 16th century that coffee finally reached Europe. The drink was first introduced in Hungary when the Ottoman empire occupied the country in 1562.
And less than a year later, the drink made its way to Vienna. From there, coffee's popularity grew in Europe seemingly non-stop, with new variations of the drink coming out left and right.
Nowadays, many countries in Europe have their own ways of making coffee, and each of them is definitely worth trying. But what are the most popular ways to drink coffee in Europe?
Well, we're answering that question in the next section so keep reading!
The Most Popular Coffee Drinks in Europe
There are endless coffee variations in Europe. Some require complex espresso machines, while others are much simpler to make. And while everyone has their own tastes when it comes to coffee, certain coffee drinks remain to be some of the most popular options in Europe.
And below, we'll look at five of them.
Ristretto
The first drink we're looking at is the ristretto. The literal translation of this name is "restricted," and it really reflects what this drink is. Basically, a ristretto is made just like an espresso shot, with the main difference being that the ristretto uses much less water.
To make a ristretto, you take the normal amount of ground beans you would put in a regular espresso. However, you only use half the water of a regular espresso when you make a ristretto, which makes for a more concentrated drink.
While the flavours in a ristretto can be stronger and bolder than a regular espresso, this drink is known for having a less bitter taste and a better balance of flavours. So, if you're looking for a coffee drink that offers a more complex and balanced taste than an espresso, you might want to order a ristretto the next time you're at a cafe.
Café au lait
This name literally translates to "coffee and milk." And unlike the other drinks on this list, you don't need a complex espresso machine for this drink. Instead, all you need is a french press and some warm milk.
Traditionally, Cafe au lait is made with warm milk and French-press coffee. This makes it a very popular home coffee option because it's very easy to make. With this drink, you don't need an espresso machine or a milk foamer, which is why it's such a popular drink all over Europe.
Cortado
The name cortado comes from the Spanish word for "to cut." Basically, this drink "cuts" the bitterness from a typical espresso shot and makes it easier to drink. As you might guess, this is still a strong coffee drink, but since it has steamed milk, it's much less bitter and ideal for coffee beginners.
To make a cortado, you need to pour a small espresso shot into a glass. From there, you need to add an equal amount of steamed milk to the cup to "cut" the bitterness. With a cortado, you can focus on all the complex flavours of the coffee without getting distracted by the bitterness.
This drink is known for its signature velvety finish that comes from steamed milk. Again, if you're looking for a coffee drink that isn't too bitter and is really easy to drink, we highly recommend trying out the cortado.
Cappuccino
The cappuccino is probably the most popular coffee and milk drink available. These drinks are usually served in small cups and contain either a single or double shot of espresso. After pouring the shot, the barista pours over light and frothy steamed milk into the cup to create a creamy and strong coffee drink.
In Italy, this drink is traditionally made with more froth than liquid.
Espresso
The most popular coffee drink in Europe is easily espresso. This drink is a strong and small shot of coffee that's really concentrated. These drinks are made with a special machine that pushes hot water through the coffee with certain amounts of pressure, which creates a thick and amazing drink.
Conclusion
There are many ways to drink coffee in Europe, and we only went through the most popular ways in this article. If you're looking to expand your coffee palette, it might be time to give any of these drinks a try. And once you do, you might have a new favourite coffee drink to get whenever you enter a cafe!