Coffee Culture
Latest articles, industry insights and brewing guides
Tea vs Coffee: Cultural Roots of China and the West
Explore how Chinese tea culture embodies harmony and moderation, while Western coffee culture values precision and rationality, shaped by geography and philosophy.
Where Chinese Coffee Began: Zhu Gu La’s Origins
Discover Zhu Gu La, the remote Yunnan village where coffee cultivation in China began over 130 years ago with just 1134 surviving trees.
How Greeks Brew and Drink Their Traditional Coffee
Greek coffee is brewed unfiltered with fine grounds in a briki, served sweetened to taste and always with coffee grounds settled at the bottom. Here’s how it’s done.
What Makes Swiss Coffee Culture Unique in Europe?
Discover the refined balance of coffee, milk, and sugar in Swiss coffee culture, a refined approach distinct from other European styles.
How Instant Coffee Got Its Start in the United States
The first U.S. instant coffee patent was granted in 1903 to Japanese chemist Satori Kato. Learn who invented it, when, and how it evolved.
How an Exiled Sheikh First Discovered Coffee in Arabia
In 1258, Sheikh Omar found a revitalizing fruit in Wassaab, Arabia, after watching birds eat it. His discovery led to the first recorded use of coffee as a healing brew.
How French Navy Officer Brought Coffee to the Americas
A French naval officer smuggled coffee plants to Martinique in the 1720s, surviving storms, pirates, and sabotage. His efforts planted the seeds of a global industry.
Budapest’s Rich Coffee Culture: What to Know
Discover Budapest’s historic coffee scene, from iconic cafés like New York Café to the city’s love for Tokaji dessert wine and thermal baths.
How the French Drink Coffee: Scene Over Sip
French coffee culture is less about flavor and more about atmosphere—long conversations, people-watching, and lingering over tiny cups in public.
A Guide to South American Coffee Origins
Explore the histories, flavor profiles, and market grades of key South American coffees, from Colombia’s MAM to Brazil’s Santos.
The Coffee Origins of Southern Asia and Oceania
Explore the unique profiles of South and Southeast Asian coffees—from India’s Malabar to Indonesia’s Mandheling—with notes on processing and flavor.
The Four Coffee Philosophies Explained
Discover the four major coffee preference styles—balanced, bold, bright, and simple—and the beans that match each mindset.
How Nordic and Central Europeans Drink Coffee
Nordic and Central European countries consume over 1,000 cups per person yearly. Their coffee is mild, balanced, and served with clear options for milk and sugar.
The Hungarian Coffee Culture You Didn’t Know Existed
Explore Budapest’s historic coffeehouses and the roots of Hungary’s café-centric culture, where writers worked and royalty sipped.
Swiss Coffee Culture: What Makes It Unique
Discover the refined art of Swiss coffee, from machine precision to perfect milk balance. Learn how Switzerland blends European influences into its iconic cup.
How 17th-Century Coffeehouses Became Europe’s Internet
Before the web, 17th-century European coffeehouses served as hubs for news, debate, and revolution—where a cup bought you access to politics, science, and gossip.
The Origins of Arabic Coffee Culture
Discover how Arabia gave the world coffee drinking rituals, ceremonial hospitality, and the first global coffee culture.
The History of Coffee Culture in Japan
From hidden imports in the Edo period to post-war revival, trace how coffee took root in Japanese culture over 300 years.
How Americans Drink Coffee: A Cultural Breakdown
Discover how Americans evolved their coffee habits—from filtered drip to espresso—plus favorite blends, brewing styles, and cultural shifts.
How Coffee Spread Across the Globe
From 16th-century Europe to 18th-century Americas, here’s how coffee traveled the world — with key dates, numbers, and routes.