Navigating Coffee Culture An Expats Guide to Luxembourg

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As an expat living in Luxembourg, it is inevitable that you will come across coffee culture that is unique compared to the one you are accustomed to. In this guide, we will explore coffee's journey from farm to cup, embrace popular coffee style drinks, and delve into coffee drinking customs and traditions. We hope that our insights and tips will help you navigate the local coffee scene and connect with the community.

Understanding Coffee Origins and Production

Luxembourg is not a significant coffee producer, but don't be too quick to assume that it imports all its coffee beans. The tiny European country has a few coffee plantations which harvest locally grown coffee cherries. A majority of the coffee served in Luxembourg's cafes and coffee shops is locally roasted from imported beans, mostly from South America and Africa.

If you want to learn more about producing coffee in Luxembourg, we recommend visiting the Kopja coffee plantation in forges-de-haute-k Kultur, which is about 1.5 hours away from the city center by car. The farm's owners, Alex and Vita, originally from South Sudan, cultivated and processed enough locally grown beans to feature on the menu of well-established coffee shops in Luxembourg City.

Embracing Favorite Coffee Style Drinks

Luxembourg's popular coffee style drinks reflect its historical influences, neighbors, and cultural collisions. You'll find traditional brews, specialty blends, and specialty coffee beverages unique to the region. Here are a few popular coffee style drinks:

  • Café au lait: This beverage, brewed with half coffee and half heated milk, is a hallmark of Luxembourg's coffee culture, much like latte art. It's an ideal way to enjoy coffee for those who prefer milder, less intense coffee flavors.
  • Espresso: A strong, concentrated coffee shot, commonly used as a base for other coffee styles like cappuccino, Americano, or macchiato.
  • Cappuccino: An espresso shot and steamed milk bottle in thirds, typically finished with a little milk foam atop the drink. It's a popular drink that has gained traction in Luxembourg, taking over the latte as the front runner.
  • Café au mazet: A more intense form of café au lait, where one side of the cup is filled with café au lait and the other with strong espresso. This a perfect way of enjoying a lighter and a stronger coffee in one beverage.
  • Gomme: A type of indulgent coffee particularly popular in Luxembourg's wintertime. It's a sweet concoction of steamed milk flavored with almond powder and chocolate, served in a traditional ceramic pot, known as a gommer.
  • Turkish Coffee: A strong Arabic coffee brewed in a small copper pot called an ibrik reveals why it's sometimes called "Greek coffee" in the region. It's packed with caffeine, and the grounds should settle at the bottom of the cup.

Embracing Coffee Drinking Customs and Traditions

Coffee drinking is not just about caffeine consumption; it's much more than that. In Luxembourg, coffee is a ritual, an occasion, and an opportunity for socializing. Here are a few coffee drinking customs and traditions that will come in handy as an expat:

  • Morning Coffee: Usually after waking up, Luxembourgers like their coffee black as an espresso or Americano. Mostly taken on empty stomachs, hence the avoidance of sugar and milk.
  • Afternoon Snack: During afternoons, espressos and cappuccinos remain popular, but consumers tend to mix it with small snacks like cookies, croissants and pastries, particularly signature ones such as 'Luxemburgerli' or 'Gâteux Façon origami'
  • Social Gatherings: In social gatherings, expats unfamiliar to the culture can take cues from the locals by ordering café au lait in the morning for a light breakfast, and then switching to café au mazet later in the day. Alongside café au mazet, locals might have brunch, pastries, or savoury foods, an opportunity to network, discuss business, or build relationships over coffee.
  • Coffee Etiquette: Sipping politely to show respect for the efforts put into brewing the coffee; it's also customary to acknowledge the coffee shop owner or waiter as a mark of appreciation.

Where to Find Expat-Friendly Coffee Shops and Cafes

Luxembourg City, with its bustling high street and cozy side alleys, offers a blend of coffee culture that caters to diverse preferences. The city's coffee spots, from cozy cafes to hipster joints, represent the eclectic vibes of expat coffee culture. Here are some of our favorite cafes popular among expats:

  • Fletsch's: An award-winning café, known for locally roasted and organic coffee beans, offers a contemporary design of coffee shops that expats will love. It's a perfect spot to network, work, and enjoy an eclectic mix of coffee styles.
  • Café Setter: By far, the oldest café in Luxembourg City that has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. The combination of timeless décor and modern specialty coffee forms a unique attractiveness for expats.
  • Café Borgweißer: A cozy café situated in the historic quarter. Featuring comfortable seating, ample natural lighting, lagom coffee, and traditional pastries like "Luxemburgerli" and "Gâteux Façon origami".
  • Mëller: A trendy space located in Grund, offering both indoor and outdoor seating. The café has a friendly vibe and unique coffee drinks like " Cannellone" and " Affogato." The perfect spot for interacting with locals and fellow expats while enjoying coffee scenes.

Conclusion

Coffee culture in Luxembourg is unique, vibrant, and welcoming to newcomers. Embarking on this coffee journey, whether it's learning about coffee production, enjoying coffee style drinks, embracing coffee drinking customs, or exploring the city's cafes, is a lifelong adventure. Here's to good coffee, shared experiences, and community building!