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THE CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSE
A Finn’s day is basically built around ish) literally means light roasted filter
FINLAND
coffee: starting their workday with a cup coffee. Because of traditions to brew and
of coffee, another cup after lunch, then a drink filter coffee or steeped coffee at
coffee break with colleagues in the after- home, Finns order a lot of filter coffee in
noon and after workday switching to free cafés as well. Finns are also very used to
time with a cup of coffee. In Finnish lan- drinking quite light roasted coffees because
guage, there are even such words as of soft water they have across the country
“aamukahvi” (morning coffee), “päiväkah- even though dark roasts are gaining popu-
vi” (day coffee), “iltakahvi” (evening larity. Moreover, Finns are used to quite
coffee) and surprisingly “saunakahvi” high quality Arabica coffee even from big
(sauna coffee). Almost all of the coffee commercial brands.
consumed in Finland is being consumed Coffee is a drink for any occasion:
at home or at work but especially in Hel- starting from a work-day morning to cele-
sinki area it’s more and more popular to brations! Here, it would be really odd if
buy your coffee from a local café either to coffee isn’t served at a wedding, a chris-
sit in or take away. tening, a funeral or a birthday party. There
As we talked with Jarno Peräkylä, are also many other occasions that have
who is a roaster, trainer, two-times Finn- their own names in Finnish language:
ish Barista Champion, a coach, Specialty “läksiäiskahvit” (farewell coffee), “mi-
Coffee Consultancy owner, Executive talikahvit” (medal coffee, when a Finn
Producer of Helsinki Coffee Week event, has won a medal in some sports), “mat-
co-host of the only Finnish coffee podcast kakahvi” (travelling coffee). As Jarno Russia is not a country that comes to of May 2019, which made it the most
Cappuzine, barista and co-founder in explained,“Finns traditionally drink filter one’s mind, when thinking about coffee popular chain in the country by consum-
Sunday Espresso Club coffee pop up, we coffee black or with milk so it’s pretty culture. Nevertheless, the population of er share. The second leading company
could clearly see how seriously Finns take straight forward. The only ‘drink’ I know 144.5 million enjoys coffee quite a bit: Shokoladnitsa, received a share twice as
their coffee and how deeply embedded of that’s Finnish is called ‘plörö’ which is according to the International Coffee smaller as the leader. Starbucks ranked
coffee is in their lives. Dark roast or basically filter coffee or steeped coffee and Organization, Russia became 8th biggest fourth, being visited by 11% of respon-
espresso-based drinks are not necessarily vodka. It’s not very sophisticated drink.” coffee consumer in the world. The country dents. There are quite a few local coffee
best sellers here: “kahvi” (coffee in Finn- Still sounds intriguing! is a no stranger to tea and it has influenced chains as well: Pravda Coffee, Double B,
their coffee preferences, as the efficiency ABC and others.
of using a kettle to quickly boil water What shapes local tastes is tradition-
before adding it to tea leaves means that ally the weather. Even though local cuisine
Russians prefer a similarly convenient is traditionally not as full of flavors as its
method when brewing coffee. As a result, southern counterparts (due to lack of
SWEET CREAMY INDULG ENCE
instant coffee makes up the biggest part necessity for preservation with spices),
RUSSIA
of all coffee consumed by Russians. Nev- the food had to be nutrient rich and a bit
ertheless, according to Maria Raylyan, heavy to keep you warm. But thinking
founder of WEST 4 Roasters, last year was beyond borsch, today Russians and Mos-
the first year in Russia’s history when cow residents prefer their cappuccinos
coffee consumption overtook the tea! It and local specialty RAF coffee for its reach
is mostly thanks to the two biggest cities, creamy textures. As Maria shared with us,
Moscow and St. Petersburg, who set the “There was a guy named Rafael who al-
fashion and now it’s more than common ways asked a barista to mix espresso,
to start your day with a cup of coffee at sugar and cream. Steadily other guests
your favorite coffeeshop. liked the idea and the drink appeared in a
It seems that Russians still prefer regular menu.” RAF is popular since it is
chains to independent stores as they put more like a dessert – one can find lots of
more trust in an already developed brand variations now like vanilla RAF, citrus
when it comes to coffee. According to RAF, lavender RAF and many other. In
Statista, nearly 40% of Russians purchased WEST 4 coffeeshop peanut RAF is always
coffee to-go at McDonald’s or McCafé as the bestseller.

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