Coffee Culture
Latest articles, industry insights and brewing guides
How to Taste Coffee: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn the proper way to taste coffee, from holding your cup to adding milk and sugar. Discover how to enjoy coffee like a pro.
How to Brew and Taste Coffee Like a Pro
Learn the best coffee-to-water ratio, grind size, water temp, and brewing methods for delicious home-brewed coffee.
The History of Coffee: From Ethiopian Highlands to Global Culture
Discover how coffee spread from Ethiopia to Europe, the Americas, and Asia—from 6th-century discovery to today’s 400-billion-cup industry.
Napoleon’s Coffee Obsession and Vienna’s Battle for Brews
How Napoleon drank coffee with brandy and lemon, why Vienna banned coffee under his rule, and what the city did to get it back.
Is Drinking Coffee Outside Starbucks a Confidence Issue?
A 2013 forum debate explored whether people drinking outside Starbucks lack confidence. Most commenters said no—it’s just personal choice.
How to Do a 10-Step Coffee Quality Check at Home
Follow these 10 practical steps to assess freshness, aroma, taste, and aftertaste when tasting or evaluating fresh-roast coffee at home.
How to Store Coffee Beans and Grounds Properly
To keep coffee fresh longer, avoid air, heat, moisture, and time. Store beans in a sealed container away from light and use them quickly.
How Coffee Drinking Evolved Around the World
From Ethiopian coffee berries to modern espresso, discover how brewing methods and roast levels have changed globally over centuries.
How Turkish Coffee Reading Works: Fortune-Telling with Spent Grounds
Discover how to read Turkish coffee grounds after drinking, including the steps, common symbols, and even wishes made with leftover water.
How Kopi Luwak Coffee Is Graded and What Affects Its Quality
Learn how Kopi Luwak is graded, why wild beans taste better, and how freshness impacts flavor in this detailed guide to civet coffee.
The Subtle Beauty of Japanese Coffee Culture
Explore how Japanese films and cafes portray coffee with quiet elegance, from pale brews to meditative preparation rituals.
Luxembourg’s Romantic Coffee Culture Blooms with Roses and Music
Discover how Luxembourg blends everyday coffee gatherings, rose gardens, and impromptu music into a uniquely charming cultural ritual.
Soviet Cafés and the Nostalgia for a Bygone Era
Explore why Soviet-themed cafés still exist in Russia today, reflecting a complex mix of nostalgia, memory, and national identity.
Why Italians Drink Espresso Standing Up
Italians traditionally drink espresso standing at the bar in under a minute. Here’s why it’s cultural, practical, and not just a quirk.
How a Simple Espresso Gathering Brings Calm to Busy Minds
A group of espresso enthusiasts in China share how making and sharing espresso helps them slow down and reconnect.
London Coffee Week Showcases UK’s Specialty Coffee Boom
The first UK Coffee Week celebrates Britain’s rising specialty coffee scene, with 10 days of events aiming to raise £1 million for African coffee communities.
How Starbucks Became a Global Coffee Icon
From a single Seattle shop to 100 stores in Hong Kong, this is how Starbucks transformed from a coffee retailer into a global cultural phenomenon.
Famous Coffee Lovers: Napoleon, Bach & Mathematicians
Discover how Napoleon, Bach, and mathematicians like Banach bonded over coffee — with true stories, habits, and even a legendary math notebook.
The Surprising Origins of Coffee Drinking
Discover how coffee drinking began—from a goat herder’s discovery to 18th-century European acclaim—with key historical details and legends.
Cycling Through Chengmai: Coffee, Sweet Potatoes & Ancient Temples
Discover 9 days exploring coconut groves, digging for sweet potatoes, and tasting bold, local coffee in Chengmai, Hainan’s historic coffee heartland.