A cup of hot coffee is more than just a beverage, ask any coffee lover. Coffee is commonly known as a universal beverage and considering its popularity all around the world it’s not surprising why. Coffee is a beverage we reach when we wake up and it is what we drink to feel energized. If you are a coffee lover, then you will surely love these cities for their quirky cafes, delightful brew, and probably the best coffee in the world.
London
Thanks to the long-standing obsession of UK with tea, coffee culture arrived late to London. However, the past decade or so has seen a surge in coffee-drinking and cafes. London also supposedly introduced the Flat White to Europe. It is a coffee made with steamed milk that has been popular in New Zealand and Australia for years. If you need any more proof of coffee fixation of London, join the thousands of visitors who attend the popular London Coffee Festival every year.
Rome
Pasta and wine are Italy’s popular exports, but it is coffee that starts the day of most Italians. Espresso, cappuccino, and latte are Italian words for a reason. Some of your favorite styles of coffee were born in this bustling, vibrant city. Small cups of espresso and cappuccino were first brewed here. You can find a rich coffee and café culture in Rome, with streets filled with vendors and cafes offering a massive range of these iconic beverages.
Vienna
Vienna is one of the small capital cities in Europe. However, the small size of the city is more than compensated by its rich coffee culture. It has numerous coffee houses, many of which have been around for a century, making them popular travel destinations. The coffee houses all around Vienna serve delicious pastries, cookies, and cakes, making them places where you can take your time and indulge, instead of just grabbing the caffeine and run.
Singapore
In the fast-paced, modern lifestyle of Singapore, the coffee shop culture is the one thing that brings the locals together. Kopi is the highlight of Singapore. Unlike most western beverages, it features Robusta beans, which have a high dose of caffeine. The beans are heated in a wok with lard or butter and sugar to enhance their flavor. This gives them a unique aroma. Pair this delicious beverage with a half-boiled egg and a kaya toast and you will have the perfect Singapore breakfast.
Reykjavik
Similar to many Nordic countries, Iceland has a deep-rooted bond with coffee. According to research, each Icelander drinks about 9kg of coffee on average every year. They also have special words selected for coffees that are consumed at different times of the day. Thanks to the small community of baristas in Reykjavik, the competition is strong here when it comes to quality. So, you can expect a high standard in each and every café.
People travel for all kinds of reasons – historical sighting, wine tasting, and more. The cities listed above are well-known for their coffee culture. As a coffee lover, you can travel to any of these cities with the assurance that you will be able to satisfy your richest caffeine dreams.
Photos by: Jessica Lewis, Eva Dan, Fineas Anton, Valeriya Kobzar, Hu Chen, Nicolas Leclercq