Swedes drink 4 cups of coffee a day, Fika time strengthens workplace cohesion
Swedes drink an average of 4 cups of coffee a day, and the Fika coffee break tradition enhances workplace cohesion. Fika is seen not just as a break, but as a time for 'forced shutdown' that deepens interaction with colleagues and improves work quality. Research from Lund University also indicates that Fika significantly impacts employees' well-being.
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- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 20:26
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Gu Yong-li, Stockholm, 21st) Swedes love coffee, with an average person drinking 4 cups of coffee a day, and consuming an average of 8.2 kg of coffee per year. Swedish companies and families have at least two Fika times a day, meaning a coffee break or a short coffee respite. The topic of Fika is discussed at least 3 to 5 times a day.
Fika is often the first word many visitors to Sweden learn. Fika can be a verb or a noun, derived from Kaffi (an informal term for 'coffee' in Swedish, Kaffe). Kaffi spelled backward is Fika. In the early 20th century, people merely used this word to describe a coffee break. However, with changes in coffee culture, Fika has evolved from solely referring to coffee to a concept similar to afternoon tea, involving drinking coffee and eating desserts with family or friends.
● Multifunctional Fika with a strong sense of ritual
Swedish Fika is 'multifunctional,' a quality, warm, and leisurely time. In busy lives, a small period is set aside to focus on the present, gathering with family and friends for coffee, desserts, and conversation. Whether brewing coffee, baking, arranging dishes, or simply sitting in a cafe, Fika brings a strong sense of ritual into Swedish daily life.
Besides daily gatherings, it feels wrong to go out hiking without Fika. Major life events such as birthdays, weddings, and childbirth can all be celebrated with Fika. Swedes can Fika anytime, anywhere.
● A sacred moment of forced shutdown during busyness
Fika is a sacred and inviolable time for Swedes at work. Many would rather miss lunch but will absolutely take a break during the morning and afternoon Fika times, spending 15 minutes to drink a cup of coffee. Fika is a good opportunity for relaxed interaction with colleagues and a time for 'forced shutdown' during busy work. No matter how busy, one must get up to stretch and rest.
Arbetsliv, a Swedish career magazine, reported that research by Lina Ejlertsson, a public health doctor at Lund University, found that Fika has a significant impact on employees' feelings. Fika gives everyone a chance to breathe, and if employees are willing to spend time with others, it also strengthens interpersonal relationships in the workplace.
Central News Agency reporters visited the Swedish startup Alfa TeknikPartner during working hours. Around 9:30 AM, they began preparing for Fika, brewing coffee and taking out bread and cheese. At the appointed time, everyone gathered in the conference room, which had been transformed into a temporary cafe, and began Fika.
Within just half an hour, laughter was constant, and conversations covered a wide range of topics. Everyone looked very relaxed, very different from the focused tension in the office just moments before.
In the eyes of many foreigners, this twice-daily Fika habit of Swedes might seem like 'laziness' or 'inefficiency.'
Magnus Bengtsson, one of the founders of Alfa TeknikPartner, told Central News Agency that Fika is very important for the workplace. It's rare to truly get to know each other during work hours. During Fika, everyone can chat about things outside of work, making it a great way to build team cohesion.
He believes that taking a short, peaceful moment during work to enjoy coffee is beneficial for the workplace, especially during tense and stressful times. During this time, one can better observe colleagues' conditions. If someone is overworked or too stressed, it's easier to offer help, as people are usually not good at asking for it, or if someone frequently misses Fika, it might indicate a need for concern.
Employee Elliot Jonsson stated that Fika is important because it's a time to be with everyone, not just working together. He believes that it's essential to pause and rest occasionally during work; if work hours are too long, the quality of output will be lower. He thinks Fika improves work quality, which is why he rarely misses it. (Editor: Zhang Zhi-xuan) 1150421
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(Central News Agency reporter Gu Yong-li, Stockholm, 21st) Swedes love coffee, with an average person drinking 4 cups of coffee a day, and consuming an average of 8.2 kg of coffee per year. Swedish companies and families have at least two Fika times a day, meaning a coffee break or a short coffee respite. The topic of Fika is discussed at least 3 to 5 times a day.
Fika is often the first word many visitors to Sweden learn. Fika can be a verb or a noun, derived from Kaffi (an informal term for 'coffee' in Swedish, Kaffe). Kaffi spelled backward is Fika. In the early 20th century, people merely used this word to describe a coffee break. However, with changes in coffee culture, Fika has evolved from solely referring to coffee to a concept similar to afternoon tea, involving drinking coffee and eating desserts with family or friends.
● Multifunctional Fika with a strong sense of ritual
Swedish Fika is 'multifunctional,' a quality, warm, and leisurely time. In busy lives, a small period is set aside to focus on the present, gathering with family and friends for coffee, desserts, and conversation. Whether brewing coffee, baking, arranging dishes, or simply sitting in a cafe, Fika brings a strong sense of ritual into Swedish daily life.
Besides daily gatherings, it feels wrong to go out hiking without Fika. Major life events such as birthdays, weddings, and childbirth can all be celebrated with Fika. Swedes can Fika anytime, anywhere.
● A sacred moment of forced shutdown during busyness
Fika is a sacred and inviolable time for Swedes at work. Many would rather miss lunch but will absolutely take a break during the morning and afternoon Fika times, spending 15 minutes to drink a cup of coffee. Fika is a good opportunity for relaxed interaction with colleagues and a time for 'forced shutdown' during busy work. No matter how busy, one must get up to stretch and rest.
Arbetsliv, a Swedish career magazine, reported that research by Lina Ejlertsson, a public health doctor at Lund University, found that Fika has a significant impact on employees' feelings. Fika gives everyone a chance to breathe, and if employees are willing to spend time with others, it also strengthens interpersonal relationships in the workplace.
Central News Agency reporters visited the Swedish startup Alfa TeknikPartner during working hours. Around 9:30 AM, they began preparing for Fika, brewing coffee and taking out bread and cheese. At the appointed time, everyone gathered in the conference room, which had been transformed into a temporary cafe, and began Fika.
Within just half an hour, laughter was constant, and conversations covered a wide range of topics. Everyone looked very relaxed, very different from the focused tension in the office just moments before.
In the eyes of many foreigners, this twice-daily Fika habit of Swedes might seem like 'laziness' or 'inefficiency.'
Magnus Bengtsson, one of the founders of Alfa TeknikPartner, told Central News Agency that Fika is very important for the workplace. It's rare to truly get to know each other during work hours. During Fika, everyone can chat about things outside of work, making it a great way to build team cohesion.
He believes that taking a short, peaceful moment during work to enjoy coffee is beneficial for the workplace, especially during tense and stressful times. During this time, one can better observe colleagues' conditions. If someone is overworked or too stressed, it's easier to offer help, as people are usually not good at asking for it, or if someone frequently misses Fika, it might indicate a need for concern.
Employee Elliot Jonsson stated that Fika is important because it's a time to be with everyone, not just working together. He believes that it's essential to pause and rest occasionally during work; if work hours are too long, the quality of output will be lower. He thinks Fika improves work quality, which is why he rarely misses it. (Editor: Zhang Zhi-xuan) 1150421
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.