Coffee in world cultures: Difference between revisions

The heritage of coffee grown all around the world can be found in the forests of Ethiopia, where the theory of its origins also resides. According to local legend, a [[goatherd|goat herder]] named [[Kaldi]] saw his goats eating [[Coffee cherry|coffee berries]]. This caused them to gain extreme amounts of energy, preventing them from sleeping at night. He brought this information to local monks, who created a drink with the coffee beans. One monk who drank the concoction found that it allowed him to stay up all night and pray. As this information spread to other Ethiopian monks, it began to spread across the civilized world.

Much of the popularization of coffee is due to its cultivation in the Arab world, beginning in what is now Yemen, by Sufi monks in the 15th century. Through thousands of Muslims pilgrimaging to Mecca, the enjoyment and harvesting of coffee, or the "wine of Araby" spread to other countries (e.g. Turkey, Egypt, Syria) and eventually to a majority of the world through the 16th century. Coffee, in addition to being essential in the home, became a major part of social life. Coffeehouses, {{Lang|ar-latn|qahwa}} {{Lang|ar|{{Script|Arabic|قَهوة}}|rtl=yes}} in Modern Standard Arabic, became "schools of the wise" as they developed into places of intellectual discussion, in addition to centers of relaxation and comradery.

By the 17th century, European travelers had brought coffee to the continent, where large amounts of controversy surrounded it as its popularity grew. The "schools of the wise" of the Arab world began spreading across the continent, becoming known as "[[English coffeehouses in the 17th and 18th centuries|penny universities]]" in England, and developed to satisfy the needs of various social classes. In addition, coffee replaced beer and wine as the breakfast drink, improving the quality produced by the working classes. Once [[Pope Clement VIII]] gave a papal pardon to coffee in 1615, it increased the coffee consuming population and contributed to its eventual expansion to the Americas.

Traders, conquistadors, and missionaries brought coffee over to the Americas with them during the [[Columbian exchange|Columbian Exchange]]. In terms of North America, the British brought coffee over to New York, then New Amsterdam, in the 1600s. It reached peak popularity after the [[Boston Tea Party]], and has remained an American staple drink ever since. The parent seed of the [[Arabica-coffee|Arabica coffee]] found mainly in the Caribbean, but also in other countries in South and Central America, was brought over in 1723. After the Mayor of Amsterdam gifted [[Louis XIV of France|King Louis XIV]] a coffee plant in 1714, naval officer Gabriel de Clieu stole a seed and brought it to the island of Martinique. Its cultivation eventually spread across the aforementioned regions. Brazil, today's largest producer of coffee, was brought coffee by Francisco de Mello Palheta, who got the seeds from French Guinea.

Today's high-grossing industry of coffee was built by the institution of slavery across the world. Once the demand for coffee grew past the amount being produced in the Arabic world, the Dutch began cultivating coffee in Indonesia, modern-day Java, and eventually moved to Sumatra and Celebes in the 17th century. Much of the coffee grown in Africa and the Americas was grown and harvested by slaves as well.

[[Coffeehouse]] culture began in the Arab world, and eventually spread to other areas of the world and blended with the local culture. Traditional Arab coffeehouses are places where mostly men meet to socialize over games, coffee, and water pipes ({{transliteration|ar|shiisha}} or {{transliteration|ar|agriile}}). Depending on where the coffeehouse is, its specialty differs. In North Africa, green tea is served with mint, and coffee is served European style. [[Arabic coffee]], or Turkish coffee, is made in Egypt and the [[Levant]] countries. Arabic coffee is a very small amount of dark coffee boiled in a pot and presented in a [[demitasse]] cup. Particularly in Egypt, coffee is served {{Lang|arz-latn|maZbuuT}}, which means the amount of sugar will be "just right", about one teaspoon per cup. However, in the [[Arabian Peninsula]], Arabic coffee is roasted in such a way that the coffee is almost clear; it is traditional for the host to refill the guest's cup until politely signaled that the guest is finished.

Coffeehouses have gained popularity in other countries such as Turkey and Iran. Turkey, for example, shares many similarities to Arabic coffeehouses as they integrated into the culture during the Ottoman Empire's reign. On the other hand, Austria's popular [[Viennese coffee house|Viennese coffeehouses]] were created with Europe's introduction to coffee. These coffeehouses are dissimilar in that they are not usually places of gathering, instead many people go to sit alone and enjoy coffee. Other variations have been created as the world has modernized: coffeeshops in North America and the Philippines, {{Lang|ms|kopi tiam}} in Malaysia and Singapore, and cafes in various other countries.

Drinking Ethiopian coffee, especially in the place of coffee's origin, is a cultural experience. The process for making the coffee, known as ''bunna'', takes over an hour. First, the beans are washed in water and then placed into a skillet over a fire. Once the beans have burst from their skins, they are ground with a metal stick. The grounds are placed into a {{Lang|am-latn|[[jebena]]}}, an Ethiopian pot, with hot water and served in a ''cini'' cup.

French coffee, such as ''[[café au lait]]'', has spread across and become popular across the world. However, the method of consuming remains uniquely French. Coffee is drunk sitting down in cafes or relaxing areas. It is also consumed in small amounts. Coffee has been engrained into everyday French culture.

Greece has a surprisingly strong and present coffee culture. There are two main places where coffee is consumed: the {{transliteration|el|kafeteria}} and the {{transliteration|el|[[kafenio]]}}. The {{transliteration|el|kafeteria}}, which changes from cafe to bar at night, is mainly for young people under 35 years old to meet and hang out. The {{Lang|el-latn|kafeneio}} is where all the old gentlemen used to meet during the popular "schools of the wise". The popular drink of the {{Lang|el-latn|kafeneio}} is the {{Lang|el-latn|ellinikós kafés}}, which is very similar to [[Turkish coffee]]. Its grains are also used for fortune telling after the person finishes drinking. However, [[Frappé coffee|frappé]]s have become more popular among the young in {{transliteration|el|kafeterias}}. The Greek frappé is a mix of [[Nescafé]] [[instant coffee]], milk, and sugar frothed up and poured over ice. Recent years have seen the rise in popularity of iced espresso-based coffees, such as espresso freddo (mixed with ice, then poured over ice) and cappuccino freddo (same, but with a layer of cold frothed milk poured on top).

In 2016, Albania surpassed Spain by becoming the country with the most coffee houses per capita in the world. In fact, there are 654 coffee houses per 100,000 inhabitants in Albania, a country with only 2.5 million inhabitants. This is due to coffee houses closing down in Spain due to the economic crisis, and the fact that as many cafes open as they close in Albania. In addition, the fact that it was one of the easiest ways to make a living after the fall of communism in Albania, together with the country's Ottoman legacy, further reinforce the strong dominance of coffee culture in Albania.

Although tea is by far the most popular drink in Ireland, the country has a long history of coffeehouses and its coffee culture has created a drink that has gained worldwide popularity. [[Irish coffee]] is a blend of hot coffee, [[whiskey]], and [[whipped cream]]. It is usually served after dinner in many Irish establishments.

As the birthplace of the [[espresso machine]], Italy places a large emphasis on [[espresso]]. One may get their espressos suited to their tastes. The most popular coffee-based beverages are:

The well-known coffee break was created in the Nordic region, particularly Sweden and Finland. The {{Lang|sv|[[Fika (Sweden)|fika]]}} (pause) tradition calls for two breaks in the morning and afternoon, which are also common during the workday. A social event, {{Lang|sv|fika}} is usually a coming-together of loved ones, friends, and colleagues over strong coffee and a shared sweet.

As other southern European countries, and as a former colonial power, Portugal has a strong coffee culture. Coffeehouses can be found in almost every street of every city, town and village; they are simply called {{Lang|pt|café}}, Portuguese for 'coffee'. Going to "the café" or going out to "take a coffee" are linguistic expressions, meaning "going out" or a calm encounter with someone. Like the Italian cultural trait, the Portuguese equate a {{Lang|pt|café}} to an espresso, the default way to have the drink. Café is usually served after meals but also at any other time of the day. In Portuguese homes, coffee machines or coffee pots are a staple utility. Using mainly [[robusta beans]], Portuguese coffee is made very strong, and the usual order is a {{Lang|pt|[[Bica (coffee)|bica]]}} (mainly in the Lisbon area), a very bitter shot of espresso. According to urban legend, this is an acronym for {{Lang|pt|beba isto com açúcar}}, which translates to 'drink this with sugar'.

Coffee is consumed during almost every meal, but most often during the {{lang|es|almuerzo}}, a small meal in the middle of the day, and after the {{lang|es|cena}} or dinner. The various staples of the coffee life are:

The most popular form of coffee in Mexico is ''[[café de olla]]''. Its name derives from how the coffee is made in a clay pot. Traditionally, [[Panela|''piloncillo'']] (unrefined brown sugar) and a [[cinnamon]] stick is served with the dark roast coffee made in the pot.

Coffee's popularity in Brazil reaches all ages and demographics. One of the most popular drinks of the country is {{Lang|pt|café com leite}}, which is strong coffee blended with a large amount of milk. This drink is usually served at breakfast to adults and children alike. Another popular Brazilian drink is the {{Lang|pt|cafezinho}}, made with a strong coffee blend similar to that used in {{Lang|pt|café com leite}} and a large portion of sugar.

Coffee in Ecuador is often pre-sweetened and made using instant coffee. When one orders a {{Lang|es|café con leche}}, they receive a large glass of steamed milk with a small pile of [[instant coffee]]. In order to request coffee made in the traditional sense, the correct way to order is to request a {{Lang|es|café filtrado}}.

Much like in Brazil, coffee is best enjoyed within the family in Cuba. Cuban coffee is usually a coffee ration mixed with a store-bought coffee blend. It is usually made very strong, but sweet. One popular form is the {{Lang|es|[[café cubano]]}}, or the {{Lang|es|cafecito}}, which is an espresso made with sugar. A less sweet version is the ''[[cortadito]]'', an espresso with steamed milk.

Although Canada consumes more coffee than the United States, the populations of both countries enjoy quick, fast, and sugary consumptions of coffee. Both are dominated by coffee chains (e.g. [[Tim Hortons|Tim Horton's]] and [[Starbucks]]), yet have different [[coffee culture]]s from region to region. For example, the Northeastern U.S. mostly wants fast coffee (e.g. [[Dunkin' Donuts|Dunkin Donuts]]' "Everybody runs on Dunkin" slogan), while places like Portland, Oregon, and San Francisco, California, have developed a more [[Hipster (contemporary subculture)|hipster]]-esque style café-roaster coffee culture.

Coffee culture is a relatively new, yet large phenomenon in East Asia. Coffee shops, both Starbucks and smaller businesses, have been growing exponentially in urban areas. The most popular coffee shops are those in which tradition has blended with the new surge of coffee culture.

Japanese coffee culture has been able to blend that of North American coffee culture and Japanese tea culture. While the country does have its fast coffee pickups in the major cities, it is also developing coffee shops similar to those of traditional tea shops. These coffee shops are very trendy, with latte designs and popular Japanese culture; however, they also try to preserve the politeness and methods of old Japanese tea serving.

While urban areas have adopted the trend of nano- and micro-roasters, coffee growing cities (e.g. Bangkok and Jakarta) have created their own speciality blends that are sold in local speciality coffee shops. Indonesia in particular is one of the world's [[Coffee production in Indonesia|leading producers of coffee]], and one of the product's leading exporters.

As the French brought coffee to Vietnam, it bears its influence heavily. Similarly, coffee is a large part of both cultures. For example, the Vietnamese take their coffee very seriously, only importing the best roasts and blends. However, when referring to Vietnamese coffee, words like ''success'' and ''discover'' are used. The most popular coffee drink in Vietnam is {{Lang|vi|[[cà phê sữa đá]]}}, or 'coffee, milk, ice'. This drink is created by mixing strong coffee poured through a water drip and sweetened condensed milk, and then pouring that over ice.

{{Main|Coffee culture in Australia|Flat white|Long black}}Australia and specifically Sydney and Melbourne are known for their [[coffee culture]]. Initially a few independent Cafes and brands in the first decades of the 20th century, cafe culture blossomed with the arrival of Greek and Italian immigrants. The [[flat white]], a shot of espresso with a larger ratio of froth and steamed milk, first became popular in Australia in the 1990s the invention of the average is claimed by a [[Sydney|Sydneysider]]. The flat white has since become a classis for Sydneysiders. [[Melbourne]] has been called the “coffee capital of the World” thanks to its range of cafes and roasteries.

Papua New Guinea exports virtually all of the coffee that it grows, mainly in the [[Eastern Highlands Province|Eastern Highland Province]], the [[Western Highlands Province|Western Highland Province]], and [[Chimbu Province|Chimbu]]. Conditions for coffee growing are ideal, with a cool tropical climate in those higher regions. The coffee industry began on plantations, during the colonial era. Most coffee is now produced by small-holders, in areas otherwise dominated by subsistence agriculture. The industry suffers from poor infrastructure and  lack of investment. Another threat to the industry is the age of its existing coffee trees, many of which will need replacement to remain productive.