Coffee is an essential part of Nordic drinking culture | Nordic Spirits (2024)

FAQs

Why do Nordic people drink so much coffee? ›

In many cultures coffee is considered to be a pick me up and something to grab on the go, in Nordic countries it is something to relax you and to slow down and enjoy. Coffee is intertwined in Nordics daily lives, from church to work to home, which makes it understandable as to why they consume so much of it.

In Finnish work legislation there is actually a compulsory break during the workday - and not any break, it is a coffee break. Besides workdays, coffee is an important part of many Nordic rites of passage like christenings, weddings and funerals.

The world champions of coffee drinking

What is clear is that Finland, with a staggering 12 kilos of coffee per capita per year, tops the list of international coffee consumption. It's a figure that makes the coffee thermos look small and an impressive feat for this Nordic country.

The Nordic countries love coffee. Statistically, they drink more coffee per capita than people of any other nation. Going through 12 kilograms, a person each year, according to World Population Review.

Ethnicity: Coffee consumption also varies among different ethnic groups in the U.S. For instance, the highest consumption was reported among Hispanic Americans at 44%, followed by White Americans at 64%, Asian Americans at 60%, and Black Americans at 54%​​.

By comparison, Denmark had the highest per capita alcohol consumption of 10.4 liters. In general, all Nordic countries except Denmark have strong restrictions on the sales of alcohol.

History of Coffee In Norway

Because of Norway's relationship with Denmark, it allowed the country to import high amounts of coffee at only a fraction of the cost that it was being sold for in other European countries. Therefore, there was a surplus, which made the beverage readily accessible for most of the population.

Coffee is a way of life in Sweden and it's enjoyed all throughout the day. The Swede's even have a name for pausing and taking a break for coffee, 'fika'. Fika loosely translates to a coffee and a cake break and it often occurs during the morning or afternoon.

The word fika is pronounced “fee-kuh”, and it's used as both a verb and a noun. In English, fika means "to have coffee" or “a coffee break”, but it's about so much more than that.

Brazil. Situated in South America, Brazil is the top producer of coffee. They produce 2,68 million metric tons of coffee on average every year. Brazil has also held onto its first-place position as the world's largest coffee producer for over 150 years.

What is the #1 coffee drinking country? ›

1. Finland – 12 kg/26.4 lbs per capita. Fins consume a whopping 12 kilograms (about 26 pounds) of coffee per capita annually, making Finland the biggest consumer of coffee on earth.

Which Country Consumes The Most Coffee? Finland holds the title for the highest per capita coffee consumption globally, with an average Finnish individual consuming close to four cups of coffee each day.

The Swedish have a wonderful tradition of coffee, buns or cakes to break up the workday: fika. The practice is a social phenomenon, and so ingrained, it happens several times a day, morning and evening. It is a tradition that can be enjoyed at home, at work or in a café. Fika is even a verb!

To understand Swedish culture fully, you're going to have to drink a lot of coffee. After all, this is a country that drinks a lot more coffee than you can imagine; Certainly much more than the US or the UK, which both rank quite low in coffee consumption.

The earliest credible evidence of either coffee drinking appears in the middle of the 15th century, in the Sufi Muslim Yemen. So it isn't fitting for either for viking or Medieval events. Sugar didn't arrived in Europe till around 1100. It was not widely used until the 16th century.

Coffee plays an important role in Finnish culture

Coffee is drunk at every meal in Finland, and if someone offers you some, it's considered rude to turn it down. Most people drink five to eight cups a day, even in the evening (and decaf is practically nonexistent).

Not only are Norwegians drinking coffee every day, but they are also having multiple cups. The average number of cups of coffee consumed by Norwegians is over four! That is a lot of coffee by anyone's standard. Why do they love it so much?

The main reason for this shift is likely due to coffee's ability to provide energy and wakefulness throughout the day. On the other hand, tea tends to be less stimulating and can be enjoyed in moderation. In America, coffeehouses became popular starting in the early 1800s.