This Country Imports The Most Coffee In Europe
Coffee consumption in Europe is approximately 400 years old, which would make it one of the continent's younger legacies, per Home Grounds. On a continent that has seen empires and civilizations rise and fall, coffee is still fairly young in comparison. Today, some of the most famous coffee cultures in the world are seated across the pond, but one of them outdoes the rest by a mile when it comes to quantity.
According to Home Grounds, coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia circa 700 C.E. Roasting coffee beans would then spread to the Middle East — particularly Yemen — in the 15th Century, and spread throughout the region before arriving in Europe. According to Coffee Express, it originally entered Europe by way of Italy; first imported by Venetian merchants in 1600. After being baptized by Pope Clement VIII in Rome, it was traded throughout Europe. By 1652, coffee houses were popping up all over, and the drink became a common fixture of European culture.
Germans consume more coffee than any of their neighbors
Today, some of the most highly regarded coffee cultures in the world are found in Europe. Whether it's the classic espresso of Italy, or the refined cafes of Vienna, coffee is a highly common drink. One country that outpaces the rest, though, is Germany. According to Eurostat, Germans imported more than 1,000,000 tons of green coffee beans in 2017. The country more than doubled its closest rival, which was Italy with just over 500,000 tons of coffee.
Germans seem to love their morning joe more than any of the country's neighbors. According to the European Coffee Federation, Germany consumed approximately 26% of the total coffee consumption on the continent. Approximately 86% of Germans report drinking coffee on a daily basis, and many drink it multiple times a day as well (via Communicafe International).
According to Caffe Aiello, Germans also have a bounty of delicious drinks as well. These include the Pharisäer Kaffee (which is served with a shot of Rum and topped with whipped cream), the classic cafè crème, and the Eiskaffee which is an iced coffee with vanilla ice cream. Germany also boasts a large roasting industry. The majority of its beans are imported from Brazil through the ports of Hamburg, Bremen, and Bremerhaven (via CBI). From there, they are shipped off to roasters, and some are even exported again to countries like Poland and France.
If you're a coffee lover, Germany may be your next European stop.