Specialty Coffee From Around The World

If you’ve ever traveled to other parts of the world, chances are you’ve probably grabbed a coffee for the kick of the caffeine and to taste what it’s like in a foreign country. Well, good news — you don’t have to travel abroad (as if you could right now during this pandemic) to taste the flavors of specialty coffees from around the world.

Believe it or not, but it is possible to make international specialty coffee right at home. We’ve rounded up 8 specialty coffees from around the world to bring you this guide on how to make them all on your own.

No need to pack your bags — let this coffee journey begin…

Affogato (Italy)

On our first stop, we’re heading to Italy for this delicious, easy-to-make specialty coffee drink. An affogato is made by taking a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream and drowning it out with a shot of warm espresso. It can also be made using three tablespoons of strong brewed coffee.

For an adult version of an affogato, add a shot of amaretto or other liqueur. Other options for your affogato are to add toppings such as shaved dark chocolate or chopped hazelnuts.

Türk Kahvesi (Turkey)

A Türk Kahvesi is different from your typical coffee because it isn’t filtered. It is to be sipped slowly to decant the grounds. To make Türk Kahvesi you’ll need some Turkish coffee cups (which are sized similarly to espresso cups) and a cezve — which is a small, long-handled pot to boil the coffee in.

To make a Türk Kahvesi you add all of the ingredients (coffee grounds and sugar) before bringing it to a boil. Add water to the cezve pot, filling it to about one inch from the top. Stir. Then set it on your stove to boil over the heat at its lowest setting. Keep an eye on the pot and as the froth forms and starts to rise, remove the cezve from the heat. This takes approximately 7 minutes.

Skim the foam from the top with a teaspoon to use the foam to top the coffee with. Return the cezve to boil for another 10-15 seconds, then remove it from the heat and pour. 

Flat White (Australia)

A flat white is similar to a latte, although it’s often served in a smaller cup. The Aussies make it by pouring microfoam over a shot of espresso.

To make a flat white, put two shots of espresso in an 8-ounce cup, and then fill the rest with microfoam.

Frappe’ (Greece)

A popular summertime drink in Greece, a frappe can be made with iced instant iced coffee drowned in milk foam. Another option for making a frappe at home is to first prepare your espresso and then chill it until it’s completely cooled down. Next, you’ll add the espresso to your blender along with milk and ice.

To get the right texture, blend at a low speed and then slowly increase the speed to make it smooth. Pour it into a glass and enjoy it right away.

Cà phê đá (Vietnam)

Vietnamese coffee is widely known for being sweet and strong. It can be drunk hot or iced and is made with coarsely ground dark roast coffee that’s brewed using a French drip filter and going straight into a cup of condensed milk and ice.

For the best results, use Vietnamese coffee; otherwise try finding ground robusta beans as a substitute.

Café de Olla (Mexico)

Typically served in a clay mug that’s believed to bring out the coffee’s flavors, café de olla is a Mexican coffee that’s simmered with a cinnamon stick and piloncillo — which is unrefined cane sugar.

You can add more spices such as cloves and star anise to your coffee for additional flavor. Place the sugar, cinnamon, and other spices you are using into a saucepan with water and boil until the sugar dissolves. Add in your favorite Latin coffee grounds. Stir and cover, allowing it to seep for at least five minutes.

Cafezinho (Brazil)

Much like drinking espresso, a cafezinho is served in a small cup and packs a big punch. To make one at home, add water and sugar to a pan (that you’ll use exclusively for making cafezinho) and add half a cup of water and one or two teaspoons of sugar per serving. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.

Irish Coffee (Ireland)

Last but certainly not least is Irish coffee. This fun coffee-cocktail mix is made with hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar. It is then topped with thick cream. To make one, pour hot coffee into a cup about ¾ of the way, followed by stirring in the sugar, and then adding your shot of whiskey. Top with whipped heavy cream.

We hope that you had fun exploring specialty coffee from around the world! Now take your taste buds on a trip!