COFFEE CULTURE
You’ve probably heard the term ‘coffee culture’, but have you ever thought about what it refers to? Generally, coffee culture is what we call the social atmosphere built around the action of drinking of coffee, often in coffee houses, but also in your home. Coffee culture has its origins in the early 16th century coffee houses of Arabia where men would gather to talk and play games. As coffee spread to Europe, Asia, and the Americas, so too did coffee culture. In Europe, these coffee houses became popular with intellectuals who would meet there to drink coffee, discuss Enlightenment ideals and brew revolutions.
Today, coffee culture is still strong, only now it tends to include more gourmet or high-quality coffee, comfortable seating, friendly service and access to wireless internet. This is largely a result of TV shows and movies popularising coffee culture by often making the main characters meet up to drink coffee.
Coffee culture can also differ depending on where you are in the world. In Ethiopia, you might be invited to a very intricate coffee drinking ceremony that lasts two hours or more. In Greece, you’re more likely to be served a cold coffee drink than in other countries. And the British drink more soluble coffee than other Europeans.
