Russia Transforms from Tea Country to Coffee Country

Economist Svetlana Ilyashenko, Associate Professor in the Trade Policy Department at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, announced that Russia has completed its historic transformation to become a coffee country in every sense. This transformation comes after Russia remained a traditional tea country for centuries. Ilyashenko confirmed to TASS that statistics prove this fact beyond dispute. The decisive turning point came in 2016, when coffee import volumes exceeded tea imports for the first time in history by 4 percent.

The numbers tell the story of a silent but rapid revolution. At the beginning of the millennium, Russian per capita coffee consumption did not exceed 200 grams per year. Today, that figure has increased more than tenfold. By 2021, consumption reached 2.1 kilograms per person, and growth remained strong in recent years. In 2025 alone, ready-made coffee sales in retail stores increased by 50 percent. The share of large supermarket chains in the hot beverage market jumped from 17 percent in 2023 to 35 percent in 2026.

What is more striking is that coffee is no longer an additional drink. It has replaced tea in its traditional position as the daily morning drink, as well as a drink for business and professional meetings. This transformation is not just a change in numbers. It is a deep cultural shift.

A Long Historical Journey Spanning More Than 360 Years

The beginnings of coffee in Russia go back more than 360 years. In 1665, the English doctor Samuel Collins prescribed coffee to Tsar Alexis I as an effective remedy against headaches, colds, and bloating. Coffee at that time was imported from Persia and the Ottomans. It was very rare and expensive. People did not view it as a daily drink, but rather as a rare medicine.

The pivotal moment came with Tsar Peter the Great. During his grand tour of Europe between 1697 and 1698, and during his stay in Holland, he came to love coffee very much. He returned to Russia determined to spread it. He introduced coffee to the court and to official assemblies known as assemblées. He ordered it to be served for free to visitors in the Kunstkamera, Russia’s first museum. In 1724, he issued an order to open simple coffee houses in Saint Petersburg.

The elite continued to monopolize coffee throughout the 18th century. Empress Anna Ivanovna opened the first real coffee house in 1740. Catherine the Great was one of coffee’s biggest fans. She drank 4 to 6 cups per day, and often prepared them herself.

The 19th Century: Coffee Houses Become Cultural Centers

In the 19th century, coffee houses transformed into important cultural centers in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. People gathered at famous places like the Wolf and Beranger coffee house in Petersburg. It is said that the poet Alexander Pushkin visited this coffee house before his final duel. Coffee’s popularity increased after the War of 1812, when Russian soldiers returned from Europe loving this drink. Despite that, tea remained the most popular drink. This was due to its extensive trade with China and its low price compared to coffee.

During the Soviet era, coffee became a luxury and rare commodity. It was sometimes viewed as a bourgeois drink. Tea, however, remained the daily drink for all people due to its availability and low price.

The Real Revolution After 1991

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, doors opened wide. 1996 saw the opening of the first modern coffee chain called Coffee Bean. Then major Russian chains emerged such as Coffee House, Shokoladnitsa, and Kofemania. In 2007, Starbucks entered the Russian market.

Since 2010, the second and third waves of coffee culture have spread across Russia. Specialty coffee spread, along with high-quality beans and alternative brewing methods. The Russian “Raf” drink became a globally recognized achievement. In 2016, the historic turning point that Ilyashenko spoke about occurred, with coffee imports exceeding tea imports for the first time.

Coffee to Go: The New Lifestyle

Today, the “coffee to go” style rules in Russia. In Moscow, the number of fast coffee points increased by 5 percent in 2025. In contrast, traditional coffee houses declined by 12 percent. Large supermarket chains such as Pyaterochka, Magnit, Lenta, and others have entered the coffee market strongly. These stores use coffee to attract customers and increase the average check. They also benefit from their massive scale to offer competitive prices.

A Deep Cultural Shift, Not Just Numbers

This is no longer just an increase in consumption. It is a change in lifestyle and daily rituals. Coffee has become a symbol of the new generation, specifically the age group from 25 to 45 years. Coffee has become the drink of productivity, work, quick meetings, and fast-paced urban life. Tea, meanwhile, remains associated with family warmth and classical traditions.

Russia has not only imported coffee culture. It has developed its own version of coffee culture. This unique blend combines American speed, European quality, and traditional Russian hospitality.

Key Data: Russia’s Transformation into a Coffee Country

Future Forecast for the Russian Coffee Market

Svetlana Ilyashenko expects continued strong growth in the coming years. Growth will be noticeable especially in several areas. First is cold coffee, which is growing in popularity during summer. Second is specialty coffee, which attracts lovers of unique flavors. Third is home coffee subscriptions, which offer convenience to consumers. Fourth is luxury coffee machines, which have become a symbol of upscale homes and offices.

The conclusion that can be drawn from the expert’s statements is that coffee has won in Russia. The transformation has become an irreversible reality. The only remaining question now is: what will the Russian coffee culture look like in the next two or three decades?