Coffee is a worldwide traveler; we can find it anywhere we go. It is fascinating how coffee was used only by the tribes of Ethiopia until the discovery of its roasting to enjoy it differently in the 1400s. Since that point in history, coffee became a primary source of income for many countries.
How has coffee impacted culture worldwide
From a specific point in time, we’ve all adopted similar, if not the same, customs in certain aspects of our day-to-day; does coffee fit in these globalized customs? Today, coffee is crucial to surviving each day; for some people, this statement is literal. But why is this?
Let’s start with North American culture. American culture characterizes by the hustle and bustle of business and industry. This culture has led Americans to live in mental and physical deterioration. Contrary to what coffee intends to do, Americans use coffee as human gasoline. Coffee culture in America is a reflection of a burnt-out society. Remote work has led to coffee shops being at their peak because they have a business-friendly environment, offering Wi-Fi connection and coffee on the go.
In the Middle East, it is a custom to serve coffee at family gatherings or offer a cup of coffee to guests. In Latin America, it has become a modus vivendi, and the base of entire communities revolves around coffee production. European and North American countries import their coffee from Asia or Latin America and have built a culture around it.
The major coffee importers are Europeans; they love every detail about it. Europe is a continent that encompasses many countries with different cultures. Many countries by region are similar; in this case, the way they enjoy coffee is what is shared regionally. Europe impacted global coffee culture, starting with the Espresso machine and many beverages we enjoy in the western hemisphere. Unlike Americans, Europeans love their coffee; for them, coffee is their “recreation” time. Italians and Greeks enjoy it in a welcoming but loud environment. The French and the Finns, on the other hand, enjoy a quiet time along with their coffee; the Irish prefer their coffee in a friendly and relaxed environment. Irish also like to booze it up a little. What can we infer from European coffee culture? Europeans have coffee at any time of the day and take their time to enjoy good coffee and good company.
Asian coffee culture is very diverse due to the continent’s cultural richness. Every Asian country has its own coffee culture, and every city has its subculture, creating a diverse coffee culture within the continent. Asians drink instant coffee in their homes but are particularly picky about their coffee outside of their homes; coffee shops have set a high standard for a good coffee. The demand for coffee has grown exponentially in the last ten years, and its growth has come in waves. Growth’s third wave has stuck around since it came along, preferring diversity and quality rather than convenience and accessibility. For many years the Arab world has had the habit of drinking coffee; coffee is also a cultural symbol, a World Heritage Site in the Arab world, according to United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Africa, the place where this marvelous beverage came from, has a rich coffee culture. Amidst the hustle and bustle of Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa, there’s always time for coffee; as said by locals “Ethiopians carry coffee in their blood”. People in many countries around Africa like brewing coffee and inviting neighbors to drink and enjoying each other’s company. This can’t be said for every African country, Kenya for example, is British influenced, and although their coffee is categorized as one of the best in the world, they prefer tea over coffee. African coffee producing countries do not limit theirselves to just producing the magnificent roasted bean, but also coffee by-products that can be found in European supermarkets.
Last but not least, Coffee in Latin America represents much more than a simple beverage. Coffee represents the desire to excel, the honest and dignified work of the farmer and the large producers. For Latin Americans, it is an indispensable part of daily life. Being countries highly influenced by the North American culture, they have begun to adopt coffee to go. However, people are avid coffee drinkers who need it early and at all times. For Hondurans specifically, between 3 and 5 in the afternoon is coffee time, and people enjoy their cup of coffee with a side of sweet bread or cookie; this custom does not limit Hondurans from drinking coffee at all mealtimes. Generally, Latin Americans prefer to enjoy their cup of coffee, which has led to locals establishing coffee shops with a calm environment, ideal for social gatherings and working remotely. As diverse as Latin America is, its coffee culture varies from country to country; coffee is also an income-producing export product for many countries.
Coffee has impacted culture around the world. No matter how, coffee is now part of the world’s customs and revolves around fraternity and fellowship.
