Coffee drinking may be Greece's second-most practiced religion, after Greek Orthodoxy. (Okay, that may be overstating it, but only a tiny bit.). 

 

Coffee shops flourish on nearly every street, from the traditional kafeniea with their elderly male regulars passing hours gossiping with their friends, to stylish modern cafes that cater to a younger, hipper crowd.

 

You won't see much in the way of giant corporate coffee chains - at least not like in the US, for example, although there are one or two. Most places are independently-owned and have their own vibe and clientele. As in other countries around the world, Greece is experiencing a bit of a boom of small batch, artisan roasters and creative baristas.

 

How did Greece find itself amongst the countries with the highest per capita coffee consumption in the world?

 

Because once upon a time in Constantinople, in the year 1475, a place called Kiva Han was opened by the Ottoman Turks. It was the world's first coffee shop open to the public.

 

The Ottomans ruled Greece at that time, and so coffee made it's way into Greek culture. 

 

As a matter of fact, for generations, the strong, tiny cups where known as Turkish coffee, until 1970s, when Turkey started flexing it's muscles in Greece's and Cyprus' direction. A wave of Greek nationalism ensued. From then to the present it is - strictly and exclusively - known as Greek coffee.

 

Coffee culture in Greece is relaxed and very social. Kids often start drinking it in their early teens and continue for life. You will see some people grabbing a coffee to go on their way to the metro, but by and large, drinking coffee is a relaxed and leisurely affair, and not the rushed gulping you see in some other places. The day may start with an espresso, then a freddo cappucino in the afternoon with a friend, and then a slowly-savored Greek coffee after dinner. 

 

Greece is a coffee lovers paradise, but navigating the myriad styles of coffee on a menu in Greece can be daunting if you're unfamiliar with all the varieties. Let's take a look at what's on offer...

 

(I won't be adding recipes for each, because while I love coffee and can whip up a good frappé,  I'm not that accomplished a barista. Besides, so many people have their own way of creating several of these drinks, so check online for a variety of recipe options.)

 

 

Greek coffee (Ellinikos kafes)