Eswatini
While Eswatini has a growing local coffee industry and some cafes offering a range of options, the coffee culture is still developing compared to many Western countries. You'll find a mix of instant coffee in smaller towns and more specialized coffee drinks in larger urban centers and tourist areas.
Here are the common ways to order coffee in Eswatini and what's in them:
Instant Coffee:
How to order: Often just "coffee" or "instant coffee."
What's in it: This is the most prevalent form of coffee, especially outside of dedicated coffee shops. It's simply powdered coffee dissolved in hot water, usually served with milk and sugar on the side for you to add to your preference.
Espresso-based Drinks (found in larger towns and cafes):
If you're in Mbabane, Ezulwini, or other tourist hubs with established coffee shops (like Sambane Coffee Shoppe), you're likely to find a more familiar range of espresso-based drinks. These typically use locally sourced or imported Arabica beans.
Espresso:
How to order: "Espresso" or "single/double espresso."
What's in it: A concentrated shot of coffee, made by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee beans. It's the base for most other coffee shop drinks.
Americano:
How to order: "Americano" or "black coffee." You might specify "white Americano" if you want milk on the side.
What's in it: Espresso diluted with hot water. A "white Americano" comes with milk (cold or warmed) served separately.
Cappuccino:
How to order: "Cappuccino."
What's in it: Equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk. Often topped with a sprinkle of cocoa powder.
Latte:
How to order: "Latte."
What's in it: Espresso with a larger proportion of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam on top. It's generally creamier and less foamy than a cappuccino.
Mochaccino / Mocha:
How to order: "Mochaccino" or "Mocha."
What's in it: Espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup or powder, often topped with whipped cream.
Iced Coffee:
How to order: "Iced coffee."
What's in it: Typically brewed coffee or espresso poured over ice, often with milk and/or sugar added. Variations might include syrups or whipped cream.
Filter Coffee / Brewed Coffee:
How to order: "Filter coffee" or sometimes just "coffee" if it's not instant.
What's in it: Coffee brewed by pouring hot water over ground coffee held in a filter. This produces a cleaner, less intense taste than espresso.
Local Considerations:
Freshness: While Eswatini is developing its own coffee production (with efforts like the Eswatini Coffee Association), much of the specialty coffee might still be imported or roasted locally from imported beans.
Sweeteners and Milk: Sugar and milk are almost always readily available on the side for you to customize your drink.
Traditional Drinks (Non-Coffee): While not coffee, it's worth noting Eswatini has traditional fermented drinks like buganu (marula beer) and umcombotsi (sorghum beer), which are significant culturally. These are distinct from coffee.
When ordering coffee in Eswatini, especially outside of a dedicated coffee shop, it's always a good idea to clarify if you're looking for instant coffee or an espresso-based drink if you have a specific preference.
*The content in this document was generated using artificial intelligence, drawing from various online sources, and subsequently refined for accuracy and conciseness in 2025. Users are advised to consult multiple sources to corroborate information and should not rely solely on this document for comprehensive research.