Englishman and Coffee

In terms of per capita tea consumption, the UK is a big tea drinker, second only to Ireland, but in terms of coffee, statistics show that 80 per cent of coffee consumption in the UK is instant coffee. This is a challenge for lovers of pure things. General Foods recently found that coffee retails more than £100m of tea in the UK to £560 million, including the 11 per cent premium withdrew by the insurance department.

H?R? Higgins is famous in the British coffee industry. To start a business during World War II, you must have a strong belief, and Higgins, who opened a coffee shop in 1942, clearly had this characteristic. At the time, he opened a coffee shop at 43 Pumleton Street in London, which had its own roasting equipment and sources of coffee beans and was strictly regulated by the food department. Although there was no limit to coffee during the war, the supply of coffee was inevitably limited and the range of options was limited. Harold later joined the company through his son Tony's relationship with his daughter Audrey.

By the 1950s, trade and currency restrictions had been relaxed, it was easy to buy purer coffee, and cafes became popular in major British cities. This has greatly improved the status of coffee (especially among young people). Tea is gradually associated with the elderly, while coffee is regarded as a drink for elegant young people, symbolizing European taste. The glass and brass coffee stills introduced by Italy have become a symbol of rebellious spirit among young people. As in other countries, small local coffee factories are closing down as consumers tend to buy branded coffee. Most of these workshops cannot produce high-quality coffee, but in the UK, an adequate supply of coffee can be obtained by mail order. Higgins now sells all his products in this way. The original store is now part of the fashion store street, but Higgins still owns a store on Duke Mayfair Street, which is designated to serve coffee to the Queen. Coffee roasting is no longer carried out in the shop, but has moved to a special building outside London. There is a unique coffee shop in the basement of the London shop, serving only tea and coffee, no food, but two refreshments for each cup of tea or coffee. The first floor of the store still retains the dark traditional style of the early store, and the coffee bag is tied with string, which is also a symbol of the old store style.

Espresso is the fastest growing market in the UK, with an increase of 17 per cent in 1993. Lavazza, which occupies the largest share of the espresso market. Ambitious expansion is under way in the UK, including access to the roasted coffee market and the ground coffee market.

China Coffee Trading Network: www.gafei.com