South Africa
South Africa has a dynamic and rapidly evolving coffee culture, with a strong focus on specialty coffee and independent roasteries, particularly in cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban. While not a massive coffee-producing nation, its coffee scene is vibrant and diverse, reflecting its multicultural population.
Here are the different ways to order a coffee in South Africa and what's in them:
Instant Coffee (with local variations):
Still incredibly popular and widely consumed in homes, offices, and smaller local eateries due to convenience and affordability.
What's in it: Soluble coffee granules. Brands like Nescafé (including Nescafé Classic, Gold, and various instant cappuccino sachets) and Ricoffy (a well-known South African blend of instant coffee and chicory, offering a distinct "fresh percolated taste") are ubiquitous. Frisco and Koffiehuis are other popular local instant coffee brands. These are typically prepared by dissolving the powder in hot water, with sugar and milk (fresh or powdered) added to taste. Many also enjoy "3-in-1" sachets which pre-mix coffee, powdered milk, and sugar.
How to order: "Nescafé," "Ricoffy," "Frisco," or simply "Instant coffee." You'll be asked if you want milk and/or sugar.
Filter Coffee / Brewed Coffee:
A common and straightforward option in many guesthouses, lodges, and local restaurants, as well as specialty coffee shops.
What's in it: Ground coffee beans, increasingly sourced from local South African roasteries (who often import high-quality Arabica from other African nations like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania, or South American countries, but also use the small amounts of Arabica and Robusta grown in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal). Brewed using drip machines, French presses, or pour-over methods.
How it's served: Black, with sugar and milk (fresh or UHT/powdered) usually offered on the side.
How to order: "Filter coffee," "Brewed coffee," or "Black coffee."
Espresso:
The foundation for most modern coffee drinks, widely available in cafes and restaurants.
What's in it: A concentrated shot of dark-roasted coffee, made by forcing hot, pressurized water through finely ground coffee beans using an espresso machine.
How to order: "Espresso" or "Single Espresso." You can ask for a "Double Espresso" or "Doppio."
Cappuccino:
A universally popular espresso-based drink and a favorite in South Africa.
What's in it: Equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. Often topped with a dusting of cocoa powder or cinnamon.
How to order: "Cappuccino."
Café Latte (or "Latte"):
Another very common Italian-style coffee, known for its creaminess.
What's in it: Espresso with a larger proportion of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. Often served in a glass.
How to order: "Latte" or "Café Latte."
Flat White:
Highly popular in specialty coffee shops for those who want a stronger coffee flavor with milk.
What's in it: Espresso (often a double shot) with microfoam (velvety, steamed milk with very fine bubbles), less foamy than a cappuccino, resulting in a coffee that blends seamlessly with the milk and allows the espresso flavor to shine.
How to order: "Flat White."
Americano:
A popular choice for those who prefer a longer black coffee from an espresso base, often seen as an alternative to filter coffee.
What's in it: Espresso diluted with hot water. Can be served with milk and sugar on the side.
How to order: "Americano."
Mocha:
A delightful combination of coffee and chocolate.
What's in it: Espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate (syrup or cocoa powder), often topped with whipped cream.
How to order: "Mocha" or "Café Mocha."
Macchiato (Espresso Macchiato):
An espresso "marked" with a small amount of steamed milk or foam.
What's in it: Espresso with a dollop of milk foam on top.
How to order: "Macchiato" or "Espresso Macchiato."
Ristretto:
A very short, concentrated espresso shot.
What's in it: Espresso made with the normal amount of ground coffee but extracted with half the amount of water, resulting in a more intense flavor.
How to order: "Ristretto."
Iced Coffee / Iced Latte / Cold Brew:
Increasingly popular.
What's in it: "Iced Coffee" is often chilled brewed coffee with ice. "Iced Latte" is espresso with cold milk and ice. "Cold Brew" involves steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for an extended period (12-24 hours), producing a less acidic, smoother concentrate, which is then diluted with water or milk and served over ice. Frappuccino-style blended iced coffees are also common.
How to order: "Iced Coffee," "Iced Latte," or "Cold Brew."
Rooibos Cappuccino / Red Cappuccino:
A unique South African non-coffee alternative that mimics a cappuccino.
What's in it: Made with Rooibos tea espresso (a concentrated brew of the South African Rooibos herbal tea) instead of coffee, topped with steamed and foamed milk. It's naturally caffeine-free and has a distinct earthy, slightly sweet flavor.
How to order: "Rooibos Cappuccino" or "Red Cappuccino."
Flavored Lattes/Cappuccinos:
Syrups are widely available to customize coffee drinks.
What's in it: Your chosen espresso-based drink with an added flavored syrup (e.g., vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, sometimes seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice).
How to order: "Vanilla Latte," "Caramel Cappuccino," etc.
Dom Pedro:
A classic South African adult coffee drink.
What's in it: A scoop of vanilla ice cream blended with a shot of (usually) Kahlua, Amarula, or whiskey, then topped with a shot of hot espresso.
How to order: "Dom Pedro" (specifying the liquor if preferred, e.g., "Kahlua Dom Pedro").
Key things to remember when ordering coffee in South Africa:
Specialty Coffee Scene: South Africa has a thriving specialty coffee scene with numerous independent roasteries. Many cafes will highlight their bean origins and roasting profiles.
Sweetness: While not as universally sweet as some other African countries, sugar is almost always offered. If you prefer less or no sugar, specify.
Language: English is widely spoken and is the primary language for ordering in cafes. Afrikaans is also commonly spoken.
Variety: You'll find everything from roadside stalls selling instant coffee to high-end, artisan coffee shops with skilled baristas and a wide range of brewing methods.
*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.