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Coffee is more than just a drink. It is also an integral part of many cultures around the world.

Not only is the actual coffee different from country to country, with different flavours and types of beans, but the tools, methods, and rituals for drinking coffee are also unique in each country.

Some might even say coffee is not the same without the rich history and cultural significance that provides unique ways to enjoy it.

Let’s travel with a cuppa, starting with…

In Yemen, few things adequately reflect the culture of the country more than the unique history of its coffee trade and the ancestral resilience of its coffee farmers:

Image: Mocha Hunters

Coastal town Al-Makha introduced coffee as Mocha, so Yemen is pretty passionate about the caffeinated drink.

Yemeni people discovered as far back as the 1400s that coffee could help you stay awake, and Yemeni monks started using it for long periods of meditation, reports Travel Awaits.

Now coffee is enjoyed in various ways in the country at all times of the day.

Kisher is a less caffeinated after-lunch traditional drink, made from the shell of the coffee bean and spices. It is a part of a classic afternoon ritual that allows family and friends to socialise:

Image: Yemen Kitchen

It is also often sipped alongside a Thamool, which is a dry, salty cookie.

Just over the Bab-el-Mandeb strait is another country very serious about coffee.

Although, Ethiopia might passionately contest who has the bigger claim on coffee’s origin.

The country thinks of itself as the birthplace of coffee, so coffee houses are common on every corner.

The Ethiopian way of drinking coffee is from a special pot known as a jebena, and is typically enjoyed after a ceremonial preparation:

Image: dynamicafrica.tumblr.com

Popcorn is often served to accompany the coffee in Ethiopia.

In Italy, coffee is synonymous with being quick.

We are all familiar with espresso as a tiny shot of finely brewed, strong coffee.

But in Italy, espresso is more than just a coffee shot as it comes with its own habits and traditions.

Translated as “fast”, the shot is made to keep you on your feet.

The traditional way to drink it would be to order it at the bar, standing up, where the barista is expected to put your order ahead of the other coffees, making it fresh and on the spot.

In fact, the barista’s job is a pivotal part of the coffee experience:

The “mano” or skill of the barista is thought to contribute to the taste, so extra care is taken with how baristas are trained and how good they are at their very important job.

Image: ciaopittsburgh.com

The shot should be served in a glass and can be paired with biscotti or with a piece of chocolate.

In Turkish culture, coffee is just as important, if not more so, because it is even a part of the traditional marriage process.

The bride-to-be must serve coffee with sugar to everyone except the groom-to-be when the couple’s parents meet.

Turkey also uses coffee in tasseography, which is the tradition of telling fortunes using tea leaves or coffee grounds:

Image: turkishbox.com

Turkish coffee is also typically enjoyed with traditional snacks like baklava, Turkish delight, or nuts sweetened with honey.

In South Africa, we keep it relatively simple, borrowing and enjoying coffee and its traditions from destinations around the world.

Most of us enjoy coffee as a way to kickstart the day, which is a ritual of sorts, too.

Terbodore Coffee Roasters has many coffee flavours and forms to offer, in addition to always making sure to give back to the communities that it sources its coffee from.

Terbodore has blends from Burundi, Uganda, and other renowned coffee producing regions in the world.

They also cover flavours from different countries, with Italian Hazelnut, French Vanilla, Dutch Chocolate, and English Toffee, for example.

That’s a ‘melting pot’ experience right there.

You can try all those delicious flavours and more via Terbodore’s online shop.

Hey, why not even try creating your own tradition while you’re at it?

[source:travelawaits]