Latvia
Latvia has a growing and vibrant coffee culture, and you'll find a variety of ways to order coffee, from traditional styles to more modern specialty drinks. While specific menu items can vary by cafe, here's a general overview of what you can expect:
Common Coffee Drinks and Their Ingredients:
Black Coffee (Melnā kafija): Simply brewed coffee without milk or sugar. You might find different roast levels and bean origins (e.g., Arabica, Robusta).
Espresso: A concentrated shot of coffee, serving as the base for many other drinks.
Americano: Espresso diluted with hot water.
Latte: A popular choice in Latvia. It typically consists of:
One shot of espresso
Steamed milk
A small layer of foam on top (often used for latte art)
Cappuccino: Another very popular option. It has:
Equal parts espresso
Steamed milk
A generous layer of foam (often topped with cinnamon or chocolate powder)
Macchiato: Literally "stained" in Italian. This is:
One shot of espresso
A tiny bit of steamed milk on top
Mocha: A delicious blend for coffee and chocolate lovers:
Espresso
Chocolate (syrup or powder)
Steamed milk
Foam, often sprinkled with chocolate powder
Cortado: A Spanish-origin drink, similar to a flat white but with less milk and foam:
Equal parts espresso
Warm milk (less frothy than a latte or cappuccino)
Flat White: Very popular in Latvia, often considered the "unofficial national beverage." It's characterized by:
A double shot of espresso
Microfoam (finely textured steamed milk with a velvety consistency)
Cold Brew: Coffee grounds slowly steeped in room-temperature water for an extended period, resulting in a less bitter, refreshing drink. Often served over ice, sometimes with milk or syrups.
Decaf Coffee: Many places now offer decaffeinated options.
Unique Latvian Coffee Additions/Variations:
Riga Black Balsam with Coffee: A traditional Latvian herbal liqueur (Riga Black Balsam) is often added to coffee for a unique, bitter-sweet twist. Riga Black Balsam itself has 24 natural ingredients, including botanicals, honey, caramel, and fruit juices. There's even a "Riga Black Balsam Espresso" variant, which is an espresso-flavored liqueur.
Coffee in Corner Stores/Supermarkets: A surprising aspect of Latvian coffee culture is the prevalence and quality of coffee from self-service machines in corner stores (like Narvesen) and supermarkets (like Rimi). These machines often offer freshly ground coffee and a variety of drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, sometimes with free syrups.
How to Order:
While many Latvians, especially in Riga, speak English, knowing a few basic phrases can be helpful:
"Sveiki, man būs melna kafija." - "Hello, I would like to have a black coffee."
"Latte, lūdzu." - "Latte, please."
"Paldies!" - "Thank you!"
In self-service locations, you'll operate the machine yourself, which often has visual guides for different drinks.
Key Takeaways about Latvian Coffee Culture:
Specialty Coffee Scene: Riga, in particular, has seen a boom in specialty coffee shops and local roasters, offering high-quality beans and various brewing methods (Chemex, V60, Aeropress, etc.).
Convenience: Coffee from corner stores and supermarkets is surprisingly good and widely available for a quick and affordable fix.
Milk Preference: Many Latvians prefer "white coffee" or coffee with milk, with lattes and cappuccinos being very popular.
Riga Black Balsam: Don't miss the opportunity to try coffee with a splash of this iconic Latvian liqueur.
*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.