Poland
Poland's coffee culture has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from traditional home brewing to a vibrant and sophisticated cafe scene. While classic methods remain, especially in homes, modern espresso-based drinks are now widely popular, particularly in urban areas.
Here's a breakdown of the different ways to order coffee in Poland and what's in them:
Traditional Polish Coffee (Kawa Parzona / Kawa po turecku / Kawa "zalewajka"):
These methods reflect the historical ways coffee was prepared in Polish households, especially during times when coffee equipment was limited.
Kawa Parzona (KAH-vah pah-ZHO-nah) / Kawa "zalewajka" (zah-leh-VAI-kah): This is the most common traditional home-style coffee, often called "scalded coffee" or "pour-over coffee" (though not to be confused with modern pour-over brewing).
Ingredients: Coarsely or medium-ground coffee, hot water.
Preparation: Ground coffee is placed directly into a cup or glass, and boiling hot water is poured over it. It's then left to steep for a few minutes, allowing the grounds to settle at the bottom.
Taste: Strong and full-bodied, with sediment at the bottom. It's typically drunk black, though milk and sugar are commonly added. You avoid drinking the grounds/sediment at the bottom.
Kawa po turecku (KAH-vah poh too-RETS-koo): "Turkish coffee." While similar in concept to kawa parzona (unfiltered), this typically implies a finer grind and possibly preparation in a dżezwa (cezve) or tygielek (small pot) where the coffee is briefly brought to a boil with water.
Ingredients: Very finely ground coffee, water, and optional sugar.
Preparation: Boiled briefly in a special pot, then served directly into small cups.
Taste: Very strong, thick, and intense, with a frothy top and sediment.
Standard Espresso-Based Drinks (Widely Available in Cafes):
These are the most popular options in Poland's booming cafe scene, consistent with international standards.
Espresso (Espresso): A small, concentrated shot of coffee, the base for many other drinks.
Podwójne Espresso (Pod-VOY-nyeh Espresso): A double espresso.
Americano: Espresso diluted with hot water.
Cappuccino (Cappuccino): Espresso with equal parts steamed milk and a generous layer of foamed milk. Often dusted with cocoa powder.
Latte (Latte / Kawa Latte): Espresso with a larger amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. Often served in a tall glass.
Flat White (Flat White): A double shot of espresso with velvety microfoam (finely textured steamed milk with minimal visible foam). It has a stronger coffee taste than a latte.
Macchiato (Macchiato): An espresso "stained" or "marked" with a tiny dollop of foamed milk.
Mokka (Mocha): Espresso, chocolate (syrup or powder), steamed milk, and usually topped with whipped cream or foam.
Cortado: An espresso "cut" with a small amount of warm milk, typically a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio. Less foamy than a cappuccino or latte.
Filter and Brewed Coffees:
With the rise of "third wave" coffee culture, manual brewing methods and single-origin filter coffees are increasingly common in specialty cafes.
Kawa filtrowana (KAH-vah feel-tro-VAH-nah) / Przelew (PZHE-lev): "Filter coffee" or "pour-over." This encompasses various drip-brewed methods.
Drip: A general term for filter coffee, often from a large batch brewer.
Pour-Over (e.g., V60, Chemex, Aeropress): These manual brewing methods are popular in specialty shops for highlighting specific bean characteristics, offering a cleaner, often lighter-bodied cup.
French Press (French Press / Kawiarka tłokowa): Coffee steeped in hot water and then pressed down with a plunger. Results in a rich, full-bodied coffee with some sediment.
Cold Coffee Options:
Very popular during warmer months.
Kawa mrożona (KAH-vah MRO-zho-nah) / Iced Coffee: General terms for iced coffee. This can vary, but often refers to brewed coffee or an espresso (like an Americano or latte) served over ice, often with milk and/or syrup.
Latte mrożone (Latte MRO-zho-neh) / Iced Latte: Espresso and cold milk served over ice.
Frappe (Frappe): While the term is often used broadly for blended iced drinks, traditionally it can refer to an instant coffee-based foamy drink, similar to the Greek frappe.
Ingredients: Instant coffee, sugar, water, whipped vigorously to create foam, then topped with cold water and/or milk and ice.
Cold Brew: Coffee steeped in cold water for an extended period, resulting in a smooth, less acidic concentrate. Served chilled, often over ice.
Other & Customizations:
Kawa rozpuszczalna (KAH-vah roz-poo-SHAL-nah): Instant coffee. Still found in many homes and some less specialized establishments for convenience.
Kawa z mlekiem (KAH-vah z MLEC-kem): "Coffee with milk." A general term, can apply to any coffee to which milk is added.
Kawa czarna (KAH-vah CHAR-nah): "Black coffee." Usually refers to filter coffee or an Americano, but can also refer to espresso served without milk.
Bez kofeiny (Bez koh-FEY-nee): Decaffeinated coffee.
Syropy (Syropy): Various flavoring syrups (vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, etc.) are widely available.
Mleko roślinne (Mleko ro-SHEE-nneh): Plant-based milk. Oat (owsiane), almond (migdałowe), and soy (sojowe) milk are very common in cafes.
Kawa Inka: A traditional Polish roasted grain beverage (often chicory and barley), caffeine-free, sometimes considered a coffee substitute.
How to Order (Basic Polish Phrases):
While English is widely understood in most modern cafes, especially in larger cities, knowing a few Polish phrases will be appreciated.
"Poproszę kawę." (Poh-PRO-sheh KAH-veh.) - "A coffee, please." (General request, might get you an espresso or filter depending on the place).
"Poproszę espresso." (Poh-PRO-sheh espresso.) - "An espresso, please."
"Poproszę latte." (Poh-PRO-sheh latte.) - "A latte, please."
"Poproszę cappuccino." (Poh-PRO-sheh cappuccino.) - "A cappuccino, please."
"Poproszę kawę filtrowaną." (Poh-PRO-sheh KAH-veh feel-tro-VAH-nong.) - "Filter coffee, please."
"Z mlekiem / Bez mleka." (Z MLEC-kem / Bez MLEC-kah.) - "With milk / Without milk." (Note the genitive case change for 'without').
"Z cukrem / Bez cukru." (Z TSOO-krem / Bez TSOO-kroo.) - "With sugar / Without sugar."
"Dziękuję!" (Jen-KOO-yeh!) - "Thank you!"
*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.