Coffee is a beloved beverage in Albania, and it has become an integral part of the country’s culture, both in the cities and in the rural areas. Coffee is served in a variety of styles, including espresso, cappuccino, macchiato, mocha and latte. As Albania was once part of the Ottoman Empire, Turkish-style coffee is also widely drunk throughout the country. Filter coffee and instant coffee are also popular options among Albanians.
Cafés are ubiquitous in urban areas and can be found on almost every street corner; they serve as central meeting places for people to engage in social activities and to foster business opportunities. Many cafés offer baked goods and sandwiches but some go one step further by offering light meals such as salads or quiches. Tirana is renowned for its café culture; visitors to this bustling city will find no shortage of charming cafes at which to relax with a hot cup of joe.
In 2016, Albania made headlines by becoming the nation with the most coffee houses per capita in the world – 654 coffee houses per 100,000 inhabitants (in a country with only 2.5 million inhabitants). This feat outpaced even Spain which held the title previously!
From its roots in the Ottoman Empire to becoming a modern day hub for coffee lovers, Albania is certainly making waves when it comes to all things caffeine.
