7 Weird Coffee Habits from Around the World

If there's one thing that's universal, it's coffee.

You can find it on every continent, in almost every country, and yet how people drink it varies greatly.

Some traditions seem normal if you grow up with them.

Others are downright bizarre, especially to someone like me, a specialty coffee roaster who swears by freshly ground beans, pour-over precision, and no sugar.

But you know what? Weird doesn’t mean wrong.

Every custom has a story, and most offer insights into a culture's history, climate, or even survival instincts.

So let’s put the snob attitude aside for a moment and look at 7 weird coffee habits from around the world, habits that will raise your eyebrows… or maybe even change how you drink your next cup.

1. Cheese in your Coffee – Sweden & Finland

Yes, you read that right. Cheese in your coffee.

In northern Sweden and Finland, where winter can seem to last nine months and saunas are heated to volcanic temperatures, there is a coffee tradition that is both surprising and warming.

It's called kaffeost , and it involves dropping cubes of cheese, called leipäjuusto or “bread cheese,” into a cup of hot black coffee.

This cheese is not cheddar or mozzarella. It is a firm, squeaky cheese traditionally made from reindeer, goat or cow's milk.

The cheese is baked until it has a browned, slightly crispy crust and develops a warm, nutty flavor.

If you put it in your coffee, it will absorb the moisture like a sponge but will retain its shape. You drink the coffee, and then you fish out the soft, warm cheese with a spoon to eat it. No joke, many people experience it as something very comforting.

Historically, this combination made sense.

Nutritious and warming, ideal for a freezing climate. In rural parts of Lapland it is still popular, and some specialty cafés in Finland serve it as a local delicacy.

And no, this is not a TikTok hype. This habit has been around for centuries, even before the days of industrial dairy and coffee machines.

If you ever find yourself in the north of Finland or Sweden, don't miss it. It may sound strange, but hey... that's what we thought about oat milk the first time.

2. Spiced Coffee with Butter – Ethiopia

Ethiopia is not only the birthplace of coffee, but also home to one of the most impressive and respected coffee traditions in the world.

While most people have heard of the Ethiopian coffee ceremony, few know about this surprising variation: coffee mixed with spiced, clarified butter, also called niter kibbeh .

This version of coffee is sometimes made by boiling ground coffee with niter kibbeh , a rich, spicy butter flavored with ingredients such as garlic, ginger, cardamom, fenugreek, and cumin. The result is a savory, intensely aromatic drink more reminiscent of broth than latte.

This coffee is usually served during special ceremonies or gatherings, especially in southern Ethiopia. Sometimes a pinch of salt is added instead of sugar.

The butter provides a full body and creamy texture, while the spices add multiple layers of flavor, as if you were drinking a meal instead of a regular coffee.

This habit probably arose out of necessity: high-calorie drinks like these provide energy and nutrition, which is especially valuable in rural or mountainous areas.

But it is also an important cultural symbol, sharing this coffee represents respect and hospitality.

Are you a fan of butter coffee or bone broth? Then this is for you. It is not a trendy invention, it is ancient. And it deserves more appreciation in the world of specialty coffee.

3. Egg Coffee – Vietnam

Eggs and coffee? Not exactly an everyday combination, unless you're in Vietnam.

There you can order cà phê trứng , a surprisingly luxurious drink made from egg yolks, sugar and sweetened condensed milk, whipped together into a thick, silky foam with the texture of custard. This is poured over or under a shot of strong Vietnamese coffee.

The origins of this drink date back to the 1940s in Hanoi, when milk was scarce.

A bartender named Nguyen Van Giang, working at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel, began whipping egg yolks with sugar as an alternative to milk. The result? A drink that looked like a mistake but tasted like dessert.

Today it has become a source of national pride, served hot and cold throughout Vietnam, especially in Hanoi.

At cafés like Café Giang, run by the inventor's family, it's not just coffee. It's an heirloom.

How does it taste? Think of a tiramisu-like latte. Sweet, rich and velvety smooth. The whipped egg mixture sits like a soft blanket on top of the strong coffee. Some stir it together, others sip it like a layered cocktail.

And it's not just for tourists, locals love to drink it too, especially on cooler days.

Thanks to the frothing and hot brew, the food safety risk is minimal as long as the eggs are fresh.

Want to try it yourself? You can. With a whisk, an egg yolk, some sweetened condensed milk, sugar and strong coffee you can get pretty far. But don't expect your first attempt to match the original from Hanoi.

4. Civet Cat Poo Coffee – Indonesia

Civet cat coffee, better known as kopi luwak , is perhaps one of the most infamous and controversial coffee traditions in the world.

It originates in Indonesia, where civet cats (small, nocturnal animals) eat ripe coffee cherries, digest the pulp, and excrete the beans. These beans are then collected, thoroughly cleaned (thankfully), fermented, dried, roasted, and finally brewed into one of the most expensive coffees on earth.

The idea is that the digestive enzymes of the civet cat work the beans in a unique way, reducing the bitterness and giving a soft, earthy flavour with hints of chocolate.

Some coffee lovers swear by its smooth, complex flavor profile. But here's the downside: it's expensive, rare, and raises serious ethical questions.

Originally, kopi luwak was collected from the feces of wild civet cats that roamed freely in coffee growing areas.

But with the growing demand came questionable practices. Today, many producers keep civets in cages under poor conditions and force-feed them coffee berries.

These unethical methods are heavily criticized by animal welfare organizations and coffee connoisseurs.

Still curious? Then make sure you only buy kopi luwak that is responsibly sourced from free-range civets, without coercion or abuse.

5. Coffee with Lemon – Italy

This custom is geographically a little closer to home, but still causes surprise: lemon with your coffee.

In Italy, especially in the south, it is not uncommon for people to rub a lemon peel on the rim of their espresso cup, or even serve a slice of lemon alongside a strong espresso.

This tradition is called espresso al limone , and it's more than just a visual treat.

The lemon is not just for the eye. Some believe that the acidity of the lemon enhances the freshness of the espresso and reduces the bitterness, making for a more balanced flavor.

Others see it as something medicinal: in certain regions, such as Naples, espresso with lemon is also drunk against headaches or a hangover.

So it's part folk medicine, not just a taste experiment.

The custom is also said to date back to post-war periods, when cafes in Italy would sometimes use bad or burnt coffee beans, with the lemon helping to mask the bitter or burnt taste.

While the tradition has stuck in some places, it is by no means standard practice throughout Italy. In fact, many Italians would balk at the thought of putting lemon in their espresso. However, where it still exists, it is seen as a minor ritual, a refreshing counterpoint to a deep, dark shot.

Want to try it yourself? Use a fresh lemon peel. Rub the peel over the rim of your cup and add a little zest to the coffee if desired. Leave out the juice, unless you like sour espresso.

6. Coffee with Garlic – Turkey (Rare)

This is probably the strangest custom on the list, and that's saying something. Garlic coffee, known in Turkish as sarımsaklı kahve , is a rare and largely forgotten tradition, but it still exists.

You won't find it in an average Istanbul café, but it does pop up occasionally in old folk remedies and regional customs.

Let's be honest: garlic and coffee don't exactly sound like a winning combination. But if you look at the cultural background, you start to understand it better.

Historically, this drink was not about taste, but about healing.

Turkish folk medicine often played on the power of natural ingredients, and both garlic and coffee were known for their medicinal properties.

Garlic works antibacterial, antifungal and is said to strengthen the immune system. Coffee was seen as stimulating and good for digestion.

Together they formed a kind of rustic elixir to wake up the body and “burn away” diseases, especially in cold seasons or during physical exhaustion.

The preparation was simple: crushed garlic was soaked directly in the brewed Turkish coffee or briefly fried in a pan and then added to the cezve (coffee pot) during the brewing process.

Sometimes a pinch of black pepper or some honey was added to soften the spiciness a bit.

The taste? Strong, pungent, and not for the faint of heart. It’s more of a functional drink than a moment of indulgence, much like how people today chug wheatgrass or apple cider vinegar “because it’s healthy.”

You will rarely encounter it in modern cafes, but some Turkish herbalists or old-fashioned village cafes still refer to it as a nostalgic curiosity or home remedy. You also sometimes see it in ethnobotanical studies or heritage projects, as noted in the Anadolu Journal of Agricultural Sciences .

Should you try it?

Only if you're brave, unwell, or curious about the limits of your coffee. But please don't serve it to guests without warning.

7. Cold Coffee with Tonic – Netherlands

When summer arrives in the Netherlands, yes, even with our notoriously changeable weather, we get quite creative with how we drink our coffee.

One of the most refreshing and distinctive coffee drinks of recent years is coffee tonic : espresso mixed with tonic water.

Sounds weird, right? Coffee and tonic? Really?

But trust me, it works. The bitterness of the tonic combines surprisingly well with the fresh, citrusy notes of a good espresso.

Rather than overpowering the coffee, the tonic’s effervescence enhances the coffee’s natural flavours. It’s like a little party on your tongue, sharp, sparkling and delightfully refreshing.

This trend has become especially popular in specialty coffee shops in cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht.

Ideal for sunny days (and yes, we really do have them more often than you think).

When it's hot, you often don't want something heavy or creamy. You want something light, fresh and cooling. And that's where coffee tonic scores much better than a standard iced latte.

What makes this drink extra fun: it fits perfectly with the Dutch mentality. Nice and direct, no-nonsense, but with an original twist.

Some cafes add a slice of lemon or a sprig of rosemary for that extra bit of flair without making it complicated.

Want to try it yourself? Use a fruity, fresh espresso of good quality, pour a good tonic over it with some ice, and see what you think.

It won't replace your morning coffee, but it's a great way to cool down and recharge at the same time.

So yes, coffee with tonic may sound strange, but it tastes surprisingly good. Just a little piece of Dutch coffee culture.

Conclusion

Coffee habits are strange. And that's exactly what makes them so beautiful.

They show that there is no one right way to make or drink coffee. What seems strange to one person is pure nostalgia or comfort to another.

And sometimes it's breaking your own routines that helps you discover what you really like.

So the next time you take a sip, try adding a cube of cheese or a dash of tonic.

What have you got to lose?

Worst case scenario, you have a good story. Best case scenario, you find your new favorite way to drink coffee!