Coffee culture – US vs EU | Podcast

Hey there, and welcome back to the podcast! Today, we’re talking about something a lot of people love: coffee! Honestly, I don’t drink coffee. I don’t like the taste… but I know that having a cup of coffee is some kind of ritual for many people around me. Are you a coffee drinker or do you prefer tea or matcha latte? 

Have you ever noticed that coffee culture is very different in the U.S. and Europe? If you’ve ever been to both places, you probably know what I mean. In America, coffee is big, fast, and often to-go. In Europe, coffee is small, slow, and more about the experience. Why is that? Let’s talk about it!

Let’s start with the most obvious difference: the size! In the U.S., coffee cups are huge. A “small” coffee in America might be the same size as a “large” coffee in Europe. And if you order a large coffee in the U.S.? Well, get ready for a bucket of coffee!

But in Europe, especially in places like Italy or France, coffee is usually served in small cups. An espresso is tiny, but it’s strong! Europeans don’t drink coffee for the quantity—they drink it for the taste.

Another big difference? In America, coffee is often something you drink on the go. People grab a big cup, maybe from Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts, and take it with them to work or on the road. Drive-thru coffee is super popular.

But in Europe? Coffee is more of a moment. People sit down at a café, relax, and enjoy their coffee. You almost never see someone walking around with a huge cup of coffee. It’s just not part of the culture!

In Europe, you can see people sitting at a café for hours with just one cup of coffee and a cake. Nobody rushes them. In the U.S., if you sit at a café for hours without ordering more, you might get some strange looks!

Now, let’s talk about strength. American coffee is often brewed, meaning it’s weaker but has more liquid. In Europe, espresso is the king. It’s small, but very strong. And if you want something similar to American coffee in Europe, you might have to order an “Americano”—which is just espresso with hot water added!

Also, in the U.S., people love flavored coffee—pumpkin spice lattes, caramel macchiatos, hazelnut coffee. In Europe, coffee is usually just coffee. If you ask for a pumpkin spice latte in a local Italian café, they might laugh at you! Of course, flavored coffee is coming here as well… you can see it seasonally on the menu.

When do people drink coffee? In America, the answer is anytime. Morning, afternoon, even at night. Some people even drink coffee at dinner!

In Europe, coffee drinking has more rules. For example, in Italy, people drink cappuccino only in the morning. If you order one in the afternoon, people might give you a strange look. After lunch or dinner, espresso is the way to go!

Another thing? The price! In the U.S., coffee can be expensive. A fancy drink from Starbucks can cost $5 or more. But in Europe, a simple espresso at a local café is usually very cheap, maybe 2 euros. However, if you sit down at a touristy café in Paris or Rome… well, that’s another story!

Here’s a fun fact: Did you know that coffee culture in Europe started in the 1600s? The first coffeehouse in Europe opened in Venice in 1645. In the U.S., coffee became popular much later, especially after the Boston Tea Party in 1773, when Americans started drinking coffee instead of tea as a protest against British taxes!

So, what’s better—American or European coffee culture? Well, that depends on what you like! If you love big cups and drinking on the go, the U.S. is perfect. But if you prefer small, strong coffee and sitting at a café, Europe is the place to be.

That’s it for today’s episode! Do you prefer American or European coffee? Let me know in the comments! And as always, thanks for listening. Hear you next time!