Pakistan

Pakistan's coffee scene is rapidly evolving, moving from a traditionally tea-dominated culture to one with a burgeoning appreciation for coffee, especially among its youth and in urban centers. You'll find a blend of very traditional homemade styles, readily available instant coffee, and a booming modern cafe culture with international influences.

Here are the different ways to order coffee in Pakistan and what's in them:

Traditional / Local & Home-Based Coffees:

• Phitti Hui Coffee (پھٹی ہوئی کافی) / Pakistani Latte / Beaten Coffee / Desi Cappuccino: This is a very popular homemade style, often considered Pakistan's traditional coffee. It gained global attention with Dalgona coffee but has been made in Pakistani homes for generations.

• What's in it: Instant coffee, sugar, and a small amount of hot water are vigorously beaten (traditionally by hand with a spoon, now often with a frother or electric mixer) until they form a thick, light-colored, frothy, and airy paste. This paste is then spooned into a mug, and hot milk (and sometimes a little hot water) is poured over it. It's rich, creamy, and sweet.

• How to order: You'd primarily make this at home. In some local eateries, you might find a version, but it's not typically on a formal menu. You might hear it referred to as "Pakistani Latte."

• Instant Coffee (انسٹنٹ کافی - Instant Coffee / Nescafé): Widely consumed in homes, offices, and small tea stalls across the country due to its convenience and affordability.

• What's in it: Instant coffee granules dissolved in hot water. It's almost always served with options for sugar and milk (often powdered milk, UHT milk, or creamer) to be added to taste. 3-in-1 sachets (coffee, sugar, creamer) are also extremely popular.

• How to order: Often just "Coffee" or "Nescafé." You'll then specify if you want "doodh ke saath" (دودھ کے ساتھ - with milk) or "baghair doodh" (بغیر دودھ - without milk), and "cheeni ke saath" (چینی کے ساتھ - with sugar) or "baghair cheeni" (بغیر چینی - without sugar).

• Pakistani Spiced Coffee (Masala Coffee): While not as universally common as masala chai, some local variations of coffee include spices.

• What's in it: Brewed coffee (or instant) simmered with milk, sugar, and various spices like cardamom, cinnamon, or ginger. It's a warming and aromatic drink.

• How to order: You might specifically ask for "Masala Coffee" in places that offer it, or find it as a special item in some local cafes.

• Turkish Mud Coffee: Due to cultural influences, this style of coffee has made its way to Pakistan.

• What's in it: Finely ground coffee (almost powder-like) is boiled directly in a cezve (small pot) with water and sometimes sugar. It's served unfiltered in small cups, with the grounds settling at the bottom, giving it a characteristic "muddy" texture and strong flavor.

• How to order: "Turkish Coffee" or "Mud Coffee."

Modern Cafe-Style Coffees (Very Common in Urban Areas like Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad):

Pakistan's major cities have a thriving cafe culture, with numerous local and international coffee chains. These offer a full range of Western-style espresso-based drinks.

• Espresso: A concentrated shot of coffee, the base for many drinks.

• Americano: Espresso diluted with hot water.

• Cappuccino: Espresso with steamed milk and a thick layer of foam.

• Latte (Caffè Latte): Espresso with a larger proportion of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. Often comes in various flavored versions (e.g., Caramel Latte, Hazelnut Latte, Vanilla Latte, Spanish Latte).

• Mocha: Espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate (syrup or powder), often topped with whipped cream.

• Flat White: Espresso with velvety steamed milk, less foam than a cappuccino, for a stronger coffee taste.

• Macchiato (Caffè Macchiato / Latte Macchiato):

• Caffè Macchiato: Espresso "marked" with a dollop of foamed milk.

• Latte Macchiato: Steamed milk "stained" with espresso, poured in layers.

• Cold Brew: Coffee steeped in cold water for an extended period, resulting in a smooth, less acidic concentrate.

• Iced Coffee: Typically hot-brewed coffee served over ice, often with milk and sugar.

• Iced Latte: Espresso poured over ice and topped with cold milk.

• Frappe / Frappuccino / Chiller: Blended iced coffee drinks, often with ice, milk, syrup, and sometimes whipped cream. These are incredibly popular in Pakistan and come in numerous flavors (e.g., Mocha Java Voltage, Very Vanilla Chiller, Cookies 'n Cream).

• Pour-over / Drip Coffee: Some specialty coffee shops also offer manual brewing methods to highlight unique bean characteristics.

Key Features of Pakistani Coffee Culture:

• Growing Market: Despite tea being the dominant beverage, coffee consumption is rapidly increasing, especially among the youth and in urban centers.

• Sweetness Preference: Like many parts of the region, a preference for sweeter coffee is common, particularly in traditional settings. In modern cafes, you can usually customize sugar levels.

• Imported Beans: Pakistan does not extensively grow coffee, so most coffee beans (especially for specialty cafes) are imported. However, some local brands are focusing on roasting and blending imported beans.

• Social Hubs: Coffee shops have become important social hubs for young people and professionals, for socializing, studying, and business meetings.

When in Pakistan, you'll have a wide array of coffee choices, from the comforting homemade Phitti Hui Coffeeto a full menu of international cafe favorites.

*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.