Coffee Culture
Latest articles, industry insights and brewing guides
How Americans Really Drink Coffee: Facts and Figures
Americans consume a third of the world’s coffee, mostly black and drip-brewed. Here’s how their casual coffee culture really works.
Why Coffee Origins Aren’t as Classy as TV Makes Them Seem
Learn why expensive, exotic-sounding coffees like Kopi Luwak aren’t as prestigious as TV dramas claim — and how coffee’s true value comes from more than just rarity.
How to Decode Southeast Asian Coffee Culture
Explore Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia’s unique coffee styles—from Kopitiam slang to filtered brews and regional beans.
Why Italians Stand While Drinking Espresso
In Italy, standing at the bar to drink espresso is the norm — and sitting down can cost extra. Here’s why locals sip quickly and skip milk after 10:30 AM.
What Makes Peet's Coffee Different from Starbucks?
Learn how Peet's Coffee pioneered specialty roasting in the U.S. and influenced Starbucks, and why your Peet's cup might taste great—or terrible.
What Is a Traditional Cappuccino and How Did It Get Its Name?
A traditional cappuccino is 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 milk foam. Its name comes from Italian monks' robes, and it balances bold coffee with velvety foam.
Why Don't Africans in Coffee-Growing Areas Drink Coffee?
In Uganda’s coffee heartlands, locals rarely drink coffee themselves — instead, they chew dried beans and sell the crop. Here's why.
How Balkan Coffee Traditions Signal Wedding Proposals
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a single cup of coffee reveals whether a marriage proposal is accepted—sweet means yes, bitter means no.
How Many Cafés Show a City’s Coffee Culture Level
A city’s level of coffee culture correlates closely with the number of cafés per capita. More cafés often mean greater urban sophistication.
Traditional Coffee Brewing Methods in 10 Countries
Explore how people in Italy, Turkey, Ethiopia, and 7 other countries traditionally prepare and enjoy their coffee, from espresso to spiced brews.
Napoleon’s Saint Helena Coffee: The Island’s Hidden Gem
Learn how exiled Emperor Napoleon discovered Saint Helena coffee, and why this low-elevation island produces exceptional single-origin beans.
New Zealand’s Coffee Culture: From Queenstown to the Everyday Cup
Discover how New Zealand became a global coffee hotspot, from flat whites to roadside cafes, and why travelers fall for its coffee scene.
How San Franciscans Measure Life with Coffee Spoons
San Franciscans have 40 ways to order coffee and love 250+ recipes. Here’s how coffee defines daily life in the city by the bay.
How the French Actually Drink Coffee — And Why
French coffee culture isn’t about flavor alone — it’s about public spaces, long conversations, and shared moments over a single cup.
Budapest’s Coffee Culture: A Slow, Elegant Experience
Explore Budapest’s rich café heritage, iconic coffee spots like New York Café, and how the city blends wine, thermal baths, and coffee culture.
How Specialty Coffee Culture Quietly Took Root in Shanghai
Shanghai’s specialty coffee scene has grown rapidly in recent years, with over 4,000 specialty cafés and 100,000 industry workers. Here’s how it happened.
How People Drink Coffee Around the World
Explore how coffee habits differ globally—from sweet Arabic espresso to French chicory-infused bowls and Turkish fortune-telling brews.
How Coffee Shops Became Remote Offices for Thousands
Over 30 million Americans now work remotely from coffee shops—here’s why they do it and how the scene evolved.
How Vienna Coffee Made a Comeback After Napoleon’s Ban
Learn how Vienna’s iconic coffee culture survived a French-imposed ban and returned stronger than ever after Napoleon’s fall.
How Japan’s Specialty Coffee Culture Evolved
From 17th-century Nagasaki to postwar cafés, trace how Japan developed a unique and enduring coffee culture.