Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, yet per capita consumption varies significantly from country to country. Based on Euromonitor data, this article ranks the top ten countries by annual per capita coffee bean consumption, from tenth-place Brazil to first-place Finland, offering a detailed look at each country's coffee culture, consumption habits, and historical origins. Although the United States is a major coffee-consuming nation, its per capita intake is only mid-range; China did not make the list. The article also introduces specialty coffees such as Turkish coffee, Norway's Karsk drink, and Austria's Kaisermelange, while retaining Front Street brand recommendations.
Strolling down the streets of the United States, you'll immediately sense how deeply coffee has permeated daily life in this country: Starbucks can be seen at almost every intersection; McDonald's is transforming into McCafé; and Dunkin' Donuts has become the go-to breakfast choice for office workers. As we all know, these largest global coffee chains were all born in the United States, so it's hardly surprising that the U.S. has become the world's number one coffee-consuming market. However, measured by annual per capita consumption, the U.S. ranks only mid-tier among the world's coffee-guzzling nations.
In 2013, Euromonitor published a list of "coffee-consuming nations" based on annual per capita coffee bean consumption. Below, we'll rank which countries drink the most coffee based on annual per capita consumption.
The world's earliest coffee drinkers were in 15th-century Yemen, but when it comes to early coffee drinkers, you might first think of Paris or Rome. Yet the per capita annual coffee consumption in these places doesn't crack the global top ten.
No. 10: Brazil: 4.8 kg per person per year (1.32 cups per day per person)
Coffee is Brazil's national drink. As the world's largest producer of green coffee beans for over a century, it's no surprise that Brazil's per capita coffee consumption ranks among the world's highest. Brazilians consume 4.8 kilograms of coffee beans per person per year, equivalent to 1.32 cups per person per day. By per capita coffee consumption, Brazil ranks tenth. Brazil is the only country to make the top ten in both coffee bean production and consumption.
As the world's largest producer of green coffee beans, Brazil's land area devoted to coffee cultivation (2,339,630 hectares) exceeds the entire area of Israel. Since Brazil's population also ranks among the world's largest, its total coffee consumption is staggering — in 2012, Brazil consumed 2,191,596,000 kilograms of green coffee beans.
No. 9 – Belgium: 4.9 kg per person per year (1.35 cups per day per person)
When you think of Belgium, waffles and beer might come to mind. In fact, Belgium has just as long a history with chocolate and coffee, and Belgians drink an average of 1.35 cups of coffee per person per day.
As a former colonial empire, Belgium grew coffee in its colonies of Congo and Rwanda to meet domestic demand. Today, cafes line the streets of Belgium, and enjoying a cup of coffee with the famous waffles anytime, anywhere is the most common sight.
No. 8 – Germany: 5.2 kg per person per year (1.43 cups per day per person)
Coffee in Germany first took off in the northern port cities, with the first coffeehouse appearing in 1673. Coffeehouses were gathering places for intellectuals and the wealthy. The famous composer Bach had an indissoluble bond with coffee — he even composed a Coffee Cantata.
Today, Germans drink an average of 1.43 cups of coffee per day, consuming a total of 445,197,000 kilograms annually. In other words, Germany's population is 7 times that of Belgium, yet Germany's total coffee consumption is 7.5 times that of Belgium.
No. 7 – Denmark: 5.3 kg per person per year (1.46 cups per day per person)
If the Nordic countries are the kings of coffee drinking, then Denmark would be the coffee prince, with Danes drinking an average of 1.46 cups of coffee per day.
Like other Scandinavians, Danes traditionally drink coffee with meals or on special occasions. Not only do Danes drink a lot of coffee, but Danish coffee is also the 6th most expensive in the world, so Danes spend a considerable amount on coffee. Denmark is also home to the famous coffee pot manufacturer Dodum (known in China as the Bodum coffee pot – French press, even though it was invented by the French).
No. 6 – Serbia: 5.4 kg per person per year (1.49 cups per day per person)
Traditional Turkish coffee – Thinkstock.com
Serbians are known for drinking very strong black Turkish coffee, accompanied by a fruity dessert. Turkish coffee is made by boiling finely ground coffee powder with water in a Turkish pot (cezve). As soon as the water comes to a boil, the pot is removed from the heat, and this is repeated two to three times before it's considered ready. It is then poured directly into cups without filtering for drinking. Serbians drink an average of 1.49 cups of coffee per day, ranking sixth.
No. 5 – Austria: 5.5 kg per person per year (1.51 cups per day per person)
Austria's first coffeehouse appeared in 1638, and its waltz and classical music are renowned worldwide. Austrian coffeehouses have a special atmosphere and culture. Most coffeehouses offer small plates of savory items like sausages and desserts like Linzer torte. Guests can read free newspapers and linger for hours. In 2012, Austrians drank an average of 1.51 cups of coffee per day, ranking fifth, consuming 63,984,000 kilograms of coffee annually.
Next time you're in Vienna, you must try the Kaisermelange (The Emperor's Mix): an egg yolk mixed with honey, over which coffee is slowly poured, then topped with whipped milk or cream. A more authentic version also adds a splash of brandy.
No. 4 – Slovenia: 6.1 kg per person per year (1.68 cups per day per person)
Slovenians' winters are accompanied by coffee – Thinkstock.com
Like Serbians, Slovenians also drink Turkish coffee, which they call "Turška Kava." It's very strong, served in small cups, and sometimes with a little milk or whipped cream.
Like many other Europeans, Slovenians also love hanging out in cafes (locally called "kavarana"), drinking an average of 1.68 cups of coffee per person per day, ranking fourth. The entire nation of 2 million people consumes 9,327,000 kilograms of coffee a year!
No. 3 – Netherlands: 6.7 kg per person per year (1.84 cups per day per person)
In 1616, the Dutch became the first Europeans to successfully obtain coffee trees from Mocha, Yemen (Pieter van den Broecke), beginning the Dutch coffee-growing enterprise. Their colonies of Java and Suriname became the main suppliers of coffee to Europe.
Nowadays, Amsterdam's coffee shops also offer a famous "specialty" — marijuana — but don't let that distract you; the Netherlands has a rich coffee culture. The Dutch drink an average of 1.84 cups of coffee per day, ranking third in the world.
The Dutch have a dedicated "coffee time" at home ("Koffietijd"), usually accompanied by cookies and cake. Interestingly, Dutch coffee culture varies by religion between north and south. The north is a Protestant area, where coffee is served with just a small cookie as a gesture of modesty; while the south is traditionally Roman Catholic territory, where coffee is always accompanied by a large sweet pie.
No. 2 – Norway: 7.2 kg per person per year (1.98 cups per person per day)
Northern Norwegians brewing coffee over a campfire – experiencenorthcape.wordpress.com
Like most Nordic countries, coffee first became popular among the wealthy in Norway in the early 18th century. Although Norway was a very poor country at the time, the advantage of being under Danish rule was that Norway had plenty of cheap coffee to drink.
In Norway, breakfast typically includes black coffee, and coffee is also drunk after dinner but with dessert. Norwegians also frequently invite friends to gather for coffee with cakes and pastries. Norwegians drink nearly 2 cups of coffee per day on average, ranking second in the world. With a population of about 5 million, Norway's coffee consumption in 2012 was 36,472,000 kilograms. If you have the chance to visit rural Norway, don't forget to try their "Karsk" drink, a cocktail made with weak coffee and vodka. Don't be scared — if you find the drink too strong, just set it on fire to burn off some of the alcohol.
No. 1 – Finland: 9.6 kg per person per year (2.64 cups per person per day)
If you've actually seen Finns drink coffee, you'd think the figure of 2.64 cups per person per day is an underestimate. If children are excluded from the calculation, the per capita coffee consumption would rise substantially.
Finns drink coffee almost all day long, and most labor unions require coffee breaks during work hours. Special occasions and church lunches typically feature sandwiches, bread, cookies, pastries, and endless coffee.
The most popular coffee in Finland is light roast, lighter than anywhere else in the world. This is probably related to the early Finnish practice of buying green coffee beans and roasting them at home, and their traditional method of making coffee is also Turkish-style, repeatedly boiling back and forth. Finnish coffee culture has been influenced by many factors. If you're in Finland, don't ask for decaf — it simply doesn't exist, and you'll just look like a total foreigner.
Source: Top 10 Coffee Consuming Nations (March 18, 2015 By Kristine Bernard)
Source: Huang Wei Specialty Coffee Roasting Blog http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_692bf2b70102vzdt.html
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The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
