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The Northern Lights typically bring joy to many, but for the Finnish people, there's something else that comes close. The northern part of Finland experiences numerous days of the Aurora. One might assume they are quite familiar with the beautiful spectacle of lights. If you inquire with a Finn about their happiness, they will quickly reply, "Kahvi! " In the Nordic regions, where sunlight can often be limited and moods rely on it, coffee becomes very important. It is seen as a comforting boost on cloudy days as well as on sunnier ones. Finland ranks as the top country for coffee consumption, with each person drinking an average of 12 kilograms a year. This translates to nearly 1,700 cups per person annually, or around 4-5 cups each day. Coffee culture is so deeply rooted in Finland that they have a specific term for their coffee break: kahvitauko.

For Finns, coffee is a must at all gatherings, whether it is for celebration or mourning, marriage or separation, working days or leisure. A trip to the woods isn't complete without a thermos of coffee. In offices, you cannot settle down without enjoying a cup. Whether at a lakeside cabin or outside, coffee is served in a kupilka, which is a traditional Finnish coffee cup. If you leave a café before everyone at your table has finished their coffee, the vibe noticeably changes. Even elections are not celebrated without coffee! There’s even a phrase for it - 'vaalikahvit', which refers to the 'election coffee' that people enjoy after casting their votes. Sharing coffee with friends, often accompanied by something sweet, is a cherished ritual. While attending Finnair's International Press Day, held in the stunning Nuuksio National Park near Helsinki, we observed the special significance of coffee in Finnish culture. The coffee served in the 'Finnair Kitchen' is brewed robustly and enjoyed in a kupilka, alongside a sweet bun called pula, dusted with icing sugar.

This coffee break is part of an activity known as 'Happihyppely', which means 'oxygen jumping'; essentially, it's a brisk walk. We are encouraged to step outside into the snow for this exercise. The oxygen jump leads into kahvitauko, giving a glimpse into how Finns manage to stay so cheerful. Being outdoors and engaging in 'oxygen jumping' is ingrained in their lifestyle. Despite all the discussion around coffee, why is it so vital to Finland's happiness? Coffee made its way to Finland from Sweden and Russia in the 17th century. It began as a drink for the wealthy. The upper class enjoyed coffee, and soon enough, the Finns began to view it as beneficial to health, believing it had healing powers. By the following century, coffee had become common throughout Finland. Then the 20th century arrived. On June 1, 1919, Finland implemented a Prohibition Act that prohibited the production, sale, and transport of alcoholic beverages in an effort to reduce alcohol misuse.

Coffee quickly became the go-to drink for people in Finland, even as the issue of illegal alcohol trade emerged. The prohibition on alcohol was finally removed in 1932. Seven years later, World War II began. This period truly tested the strength of the Finnish people as coffee became unavailable in the country. Consequently, people sought natural alternatives. They made 'coffee' using barley and rye, sugar beets, or beetroots until real coffee beans returned after the war.

Since then, Finland has not looked back. The country is seen as the world leader in coffee consumption, surpassing Italy and Spain. Coffee is a significant factor in Finland's reputation as the happiest country in the world year after year. When you add social trust, strong welfare systems, an excellent work-life balance, and access to nature, it creates a complete picture of why Finland often tops the happiness rankings. This year, wearing its 9th happiness crown, Finland has mastered the lifestyle surrounding coffee. In Finnish households, preparing coffee by hand is a cherished tradition, even with modern technology available. Business meetings often take place over coffee. Employees who work six hours are guaranteed two 15-minute coffee breaks in addition to a lunch break. This makes Finland the only country with such a policy. So, it is clear that Finns take their coffee seriously.

At the core of the happiness discussion is a special Finnish concept: the untranslatable 'sisu'. This term represents a quiet, persistent strength that helps Finns endure the harsh winter and tough times. 'Sisu' is noticeable in how coffee is shared, but it goes beyond just that ritual. It is a fundamental part of how the country operates and its institutions function. This very 'sisu' has enabled the national airline, Finnair, to deal with the challenges of the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The airline's International Press Day, its first since 2019, aligns with the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The past six years have demanded remarkable strength and resilience for the airline to recover from these simultaneous challenges. Before the conflict, Finnair offered the shortest route from Europe to the Far East. The closure of Russian airspace changed that. Therefore, Finns had to swiftly find new solutions to navigate this dual challenge. Finnair launched new routes, trained its pilots to operate using only one engine while on the ground, and identified markets interested in Finland. As a result, growth followed.

Finnair, which ranks as the fifth oldest airline globally, has had no major aviation accidents in the past sixty years. It serves as the main gateway into the nation. After the pandemic, Finland attracted many visitors from Japan, China, India, Taiwan, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and France. In 2025, there were 7.2 million overnight stays recorded. The Finnish national airline was a key factor in achieving this total. Finnair is a crucial link among the Nordic countries, and Helsinki prides itself on being the main connection to Scandinavia from around the globe. When you take a direct flight from Delhi to Helsinki, what sets Finnair apart from other airlines is the warm welcome you receive from the crew throughout the 5,200 km trip. Joy is not just visible on their faces. As you enjoy your coffee, you can see the happiness shining in the crew's eyes. Remember, you are flying to the happiest country in the world. The Northern Lights visible from your window are an added treat.