Last updated on November 10th, 2024
If I asked you to make a list of the world’s top 10 most popular beverages, where would you place coffee?
Undoubtedly, it would be among the top spots, right?
Well, that’s because coffee is actually a favorite beverage for billions of people around the world.
Statistically speaking, over 2.2 billion cups of coffee are prepared every day globally. That makes it the third most consumed drink in the world, coming only after water and tea.
But do you know the various cultural traditions surrounding this globally-appreciated beverage?
That’s what we’re here to explore. Herein, we will examine the different cultures and traditions behind specialty coffees, so follow up closely to learn more.
And by the way, before we get into the core of our today’s topic, Mystic Monk Coffee has an amazing deal for every coffee enthusiast reading this. With their monthly coffee subscription, you can now maintain a constant supply of coffee in your home and save up to 17% off the regular price in the process — a pretty decent deal!
The Origin of Coffee
The history of coffee is a pretty interesting one and can be traced back to 800 AD. The journey of discovery began when Kaldi, an Ethiopian goatherd noticed an unusual behavior with his goats after eating berries from a certain tree.
Kaldi realized that his goats were overly stimulated and didn’t want to sleep at night after munching on these berries. Noticing the energizing effects of the berries on his flock, he chewed on the berries himself.
After he too became excitable and energized, he took the berries to a monk, who exclaimed that it was the devil’s work and threw them into the fire. Then from the burning berries, a heavenly aroma billowed, creating more curiosity that prompted the monk to bring in other monks to come and investigate.
The burned berries were then raked from the fire, crushed, and dissolved into a jug of hot water, which they sipped. Upon taking their newly discovered concoction, the monks realized that they could stay awake for longer hours during the night vigils — and that’s when the knowledge of these berries began to spread to the rest of the world.
Understanding Specialty Coffee
Coffee comes in various grades that are determined by the score on the SCA grading scale. When we talk about specialty coffee, it’s the highest quality coffee that has a score of at least 80 points on the grading scale.
Usually, this coffee comes from specific regions that are known for their distinctive flavors and ethical farming conditions. Unlike mass coffee production, specialty grade coffee is grown under ideal conditions, handpicked, and graded accordingly, ensuring that the output is of the finest quality.
The Various Global Coffee Cultures
Now that you have some background knowledge of coffee, let’s journey through the various coffee cultures and traditions across several countries.
Ethiopia: The Birthplace of Coffee
In Ethiopia, the place where the coffee story started, coffee isn’t just viewed as a beverage. It is seen as communal in nature, a must-have component in social gatherings, and a symbol of hospitality.
One of the cultures surrounding this beverage is the Ethiopian traditional coffee ceremony. It is a lengthy celebration whereby green coffee beans are roasted over an open flame. Then, they’re ground and brewed into a special clay pot commonly known as the Jabena. The drink is then shared with family and friends.
The Ethiopian coffees remain among the best qualities out there and are often fruity and floral.
Italy: The Origin of Espresso
Italy is synonymous with coffee, particularly espresso. In the Italian land, coffee is seen as an integral part of the locals’ daily life, and not just like a regular drink.
In Italy, coffeehouses, commonly known by the locals as “espresso bars” or “cafes” serve as social hubs where coffee enthusiasts convene at different times of the day to enjoy their daily stand-up shots of espresso and creamy cappuccinos.
The coffee culture here follows strict guidelines that clearly state how this beverage should be prepared.
Besides, the locals have several beliefs on coffee that dictate what variety of coffee should be taken and when. One of the beliefs is that taking the milky coffee varieties such as cappuccino after a meal, and especially in the afternoon and evening, can cause digestion issues.
As such, most cafes opt to serve cappuccinos in the morning hours before switching to espresso in the later moments of the day.
Japan: Precision in Coffee Brewing
The Japanese coffee culture is characterized by a high degree of precision that goes into preparing it, reflecting the country’s broader attention to detail. Methods such as pour-over and siphon brewing are the most popular, usually treating coffee preparation more as some work of art.
As such, coffee shops in Japan are known for this meticulous approach to coffee preparation, ensuring that every cup is brewed to perfection. But, of course, the pursuit of perfection begins by choosing the best coffee beans for the job.
North America: The Rise of Specialty Coffee
In the United States and Canada, there has been a significant evolution of coffee with the rise of specialty coffee. Traditionally, the United States and Canada coffee cultures emphasized the convenience that comes with the beverage, often seen in the ubiquity of to-go coffee.
However, things have changed recently, with the new culture now emphasizing more on artisanal brewing, single-origin beans, and unique flavor profiles.
This significant evolution has prompted some United States cities like Portland, Seattle, and New York to become the new hotspots for coffee enthusiasts seeking unique, high-quality brews.
Turkey: Coffee as a Cultural Symbol
In Turkey, coffee is about hospitality and tradition, with its history dating back to the days of the Ottoman Empire.
Turkish coffee comes thick, rich, and sweetened. It’s prepared by simmering finely grounded coffee beans into a small pot, popularly known as the cezve. It is then served without filtering, with the grounds settling at the bottom of the pot.
Since it’s seen as an emblem of hospitality and a sign of respect, Turkish coffee is served to guests as an implication of their warm welcome. In most cases, it comes alongside Turkish delights or other sweet treats.
Colombia: The Land of Arabica
Colombia remains one of the world’s largest producers of quality Arabica coffee, thanks to the fertile, coffee-supportive soils of the Andes mountains.
Colombian coffee is known for its smoothness and rich flavor profiles. Recently, the coffee farmers have shown special interest in specialty coffee farming, putting the country’s coffee in the global limelight.
Scandinavia: Fika and High Coffee Consumption
Scandinavian countries are known for their long winters, and so it’s no surprise that Scandinavians have embraced coffee as their go-to solution for warming up their souls. It’s a common drink there, and there’s no specific time for coffee — it’s drunk just as much at any other time of the day as it is in the morning.
In fact, Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Norway are among those leading the line with the highest per capita coffee consumption, coming third and fourth globally, only after Luxembourg and Finland.
As a way to show an integral part of coffee in the Scandinavian lives, the Swedish have a tradition called Fika. This practice involves the Swedes taking a break to enjoy coffee with something sweet as they connect with friends and get a moment to unwind.
France: The Parisian Café Scene
The French also place significant value on coffee, with major emphasis on its quality and preparation method. Espresso is the most common type of coffee in French culture, with the creamy café au lait serving as the closest alternative.
In the French coffee culture, coffee is served in small cups known as “Tasses”. It is commonly found in French cafes, which serve as social hubs for people to meet and enjoy seeping down this beverage as they sink into conversations.
Conclusion
As evident, a discovery that was made by a goatherd on an Ethiopian highland has become more than just a much-appreciated beverage: It now plays an integral part in various cultures across the world.
Each of the coffee cups now has a story behind it — so don’t just see it as a beverage. So, as you sip it down, take some time and appreciate the journey behind it.