The global culture of coffee consumption is one that is well-received and enjoyed in many cultures throughout the world. In recent years it has emerged as one of the most popular drinks on the international stage. But, when looking at coffee consumption country-by-country, adding insight and taking a closer look into their unique coffee drinking habits, which nation tops the list? Who drinks the most coffee per capita?
The answer to that may come to a surprise for some – Finland. Finland is the country that drinks the most coffee per capita, with an astounding 12 kg consumed per person each year. The Finns have held the number one position since 2013, when they surpassed the traditional coffee-loving countries of Norway and Denmark.
Coffee has a special place in the Finnish culture and is often associated with their philosophy of “coffee-breaks.” Through upholding their reverence for coffee, they have developed this practice of stopping to take breaks throughout the day, just to enjoy a cup of hot coffee. This philosophical approach to coffee consumption tends to be the driving factor behind their consumption, as opposed to the heavy presence of coffee-related cafe culture in other countries.
Being the number one coffee-consuming nation doesn’t come free – it comes with quite a hefty price tag. Finns spend over 700 million Euros per year on coffee, or about 127€ per Finnish person. That rate also happens to be the highest of any other country in the world.
The heavy coffee consumption culture in Finland might not be all necessarily about the “love of coffee,” but rather their want to stay sharp and alert all day long. Caffeine is, after all, one of the most popular stimulants and nootropic substances in the world. Studies suggest that adults can benefit from upwards of 400mg of caffeine a day, that’s roughly 3-4 cups of coffee.
How Is Coffee Consumed In Finland?
In Finland, the vast majority of the coffee is consumed at home, with only 8% being consumed in public spaces. With a majority of the coffee being enjoyed at home, the Finns have developed a unique type of brewing method called “filter coffee,” popular among the country’s middle-aged dwellers. The “filter coffee” focuses on making smaller batches and giving each cup a fresher taste.
Despite the decline of traditional cafes, the coffee shops of Finland still remain vibrant and alive. They’ve been established for centuries, with each city having its own unique coffee shop culture. When visiting one, travelers can enjoy the high-quality direct-trade gourmet coffee, roasted with the best in taste and aroma.
Though, as is the case with other Nordic countries, the Finns have become increasingly more health conscious, often turning towards healthier options. Nowadays, you can find a wide variety of specialty teas and various other non-caffeinated beverages.
Coffee and Its Place In The Culture
The culture of coffee and its place in Finnish culture has evolved significantly over the years. It’s one of the oldest and most popular drinks in Finland and, as mentioned earlier, it often goes hand-in-hand with the idea of “coffee breaks” and relaxation.
Finns often enjoy multiple cups throughout the day and prefer to exhibit a more relaxed and tranquil approach when it comes to coffee consumption – you’ll find no-rush or take-away cups served in the country. They prefer to sit down, relax, and savor the taste.
You can often find Finns enjoying coffee with friends, family, and colleagues. It’s one of the few drinks enjoyed by all generations, including the young hipsters, pensioners, and everyone in between.
Social Media And Coffee
You can find Finns taking great pride in their coffee consumption and often sharing it across social media platforms. Finland has a vibrant social media presence and there are multiple hashtags dedicated to their beloved beverage.
This has created a certain type of celebrity culture around coffee in Finland, with various influencers and everyday people becoming so-called “coffee gurus.” They often share unique coffee recipes, recipes from the hosting of coffee afternoons, or coffee-related fun facts.
Common Habits & Myths
Even though the culture of coffee has evolved significantly over the years, certain habits and myths still continue to exist. For example, some people still swear by the “coffee Easter Bunny,” an old-fashioned coffee trick popular in Finland. According to legend, someone could make their cup of coffee taste better by stirring it three times with a spoon while turning around the mug in the shape of a bunny’s ears.
Common coffee topics often discussed include the quality of coffee, the type of coffee grinder used, and the different grinding methods as well. Finnish coffee experts have and continue to remain vocal when ensuring that the best coffee possible is being served.
Coffee In Finland Today
Despite the increasingly health conscious and natural nutrition trend, coffee continues to remain a integral part of the Finnish cuisine. Being the top coffee consuming country country, Finns often explore different brewing methods and influences from aroiund the world, stemming from the traditional filter-style coffee all the way to a full-on French-espresso.
With the demand for specialty coffee continuing to increase, Finns are also taking advantage of direct-trade relationships with growers from around the globe. This is expected to steadily increase in popularity, as well as the utilization of various roasters scattered throughout the larger cities across the country.
Coffee And Health Benefits
Studies have tracked and recorded multiple potential benefits that drinking coffee could have, both physically and mentally. Coffee is now often seen as a central part of a healthy diet, since it’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and proteins.
More recent studies have also linked coffee consumption with health benefits in relationship to mitigating cognitive decline, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The presence of these potential health benefits has simultaneously increased the level of interest in coffee consumption.
Coffee Pairings
For those looking for something a bit more deepening their coffee experience, many Finns are now trying their hand at various coffee-taste pairings. Whether that be with mini cakes, cookies, or various other exquisite tastings, it’s become a popular trend among Finland’s coffee-goers.
Common coffee-pairing cuisines often involve various cakes and pastries, with the most popular being sweet delights. When exploring the world of coffee-tastings, it’s important to remember that the quality of the coffee can never be underrated.
Organic Coffee
Organic coffee is a hot-topic in Finland and perhaps the most rapidly growing coffee trends. Organic coffee is usually grown without the use of any damaging pesticides, while still meeting organic farming requirements. This type of coffee is now becoming popular among Finns, with many coffee shops and roasters now importing coffee from sustainable developments in Costa Rica and other countries.
Organic coffee remains popular among those looking for a more complete, comprehensive coffee experience, often combining the best of quality and taste with the emotions evoked from drinking coffee with friends and family.
Coffee And The Future Of Finland
The coffee culture of Finland is likely to continue flourishing in the years to come, considering it still remains as one of the nation’s oldest and most revered drinks.
Technology has enabled the evolution of Finland’s coffee culture, growing with the introduction of at-home coffee machines and the espresso-like flat whites. With the recent introduction of capsule and pod coffees, it has enabled the production of more good-quality coffee, at a more cost-effective price point.
For new coffee drinkers, Finns are encouraging switching to single-use eco-friendly cups, as well as embracing a more organic approach towards coffee consumption. They are also looking to move away from large coffee chains, to more local and independent coffee shops.
Conclusion
The answer to the question of which country drinks the most coffee per capita? Is Finland, who drink 12 kg per capita on average. That’s 1.3 liters per person per day. This may come as a surprise for some, considering traditional coffee-lovers of Norway and Denmark don’t even come close. This, teamed with their philosophy of taking “coffee breaks”, has firmly placed them in the number one spot.
Finns have become more health conscious in recent years, leading to the presence of specialty teas and coffees, as well as nourishing specialty coffees. Their vibrant presence on social media has also encouraged more experimentation with coffee-tastings and exciting brews. All of this is likely to push Finland’s coffee culture forward in the years to come.
