Coffee Culture
Latest articles, industry insights and brewing guides
The History of Japanese Coffee Culture: From Early Imports to Modern Cafés
Explore how coffee arrived in Japan during the Edo period, struggled under isolation, then thrived in literary cafés and affordable chains.
Vienna’s Coffee Culture: A 350-Year Tradition
Discover how Vienna’s coffeehouse culture began in the 17th century, why Melange is still its favorite drink, and how coffee became part of daily life.
The Origins of Coffee: African Myths and Early Rituals
Discover where coffee originated in Africa, from ancient stimulant balls to monks’ night rituals and desert survival tales.
Cuban Coffee History: From 1748 to Crystal Mountain
Learn how Cuban coffee began in 1748, flourished in rich volcanic soil, and earned fame through meticulous hand-processing and traditional techniques.
How Egyptian Coffeehouses Shaped Political and Literary History
Explore how Cairo’s historic Riche Café became a hub for writers, revolutionaries, and intellectuals over 100 years, fostering Egypt’s cultural and political evolution.
How Coffee Sweetness Reveals Bosnian Marriage Proposals
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a single cup of coffee reveals whether a marriage proposal is accepted — sweet means yes, bitter means no.
What Happens After Hours in a Specialty Coffee Shop
A coffee shop owner shares a long night’s quiet drama and explains what really goes on after dark behind the counter.
One Cup of Coffee, Shared Between Two
A memoir of father-son bonding over shared coffee in tough times—why one small cup meant everything.
Napoleon and Coffee: A Royal Story from Saint Helena
How coffee became Napoleon’s sole comfort on Saint Helena—and how the island’s beans later earned global acclaim.
How Coffee Became a Symbol of Western Culture
From 17th-century London to the Enlightenment salons, discover how coffee shaped Western thought, politics, and society.
The Legend of Irish Coffee and Its Romantic Origins
Discover how a Dublin bartender created Irish coffee for a flight attendant, and learn how it became a romantic classic with a tear in its story.
How Coffee, Culture, and Environment Are Deeply Linked
Coffee affects ecosystems, economies, and cultures. Learn how farming practices impact forests and workers, and why coffee’s past shapes its global role today.
How Coffee Brought Love—and Heartbreak—Into a Café
A true story of romance sparked behind the bar, where a simple string of beads and a spilled coffee led to a breakup and a deeper truth about love.
Why San Franciscans Are Obsessed with Coffee
San Franciscans have 40 ways to order coffee and 250 recipes to try. Here’s why the city’s coffee culture is uniquely intense.
Why French Coffee Culture Is All About Atmosphere
French coffee culture prioritizes ambiance over flavor—people sip slowly outdoors for hours, even if it costs more than brewing at home.
Shanghai’s Rise in Diverse Specialty Coffee Culture
Explore how Shanghai’s coffee scene grew from literary cafes to over 12,000 coffee outlets, offering diverse experiences and cultural hubs.
What Makes Colombian Coffee Unique?
Explore Colombia’s high-altitude coffee farms, quality-focused traditions, and why Colombian beans are prized for their balanced, smooth profiles.
How Coffee Spread Through Europe and the Americas (1573–1686)
From Venice to New York: trace coffee’s 17th-century journey into Europe and North America via trade routes, first cafés, and key imports.
How Coffee Spread from Ethiopia to the Ottoman Empire
Trace coffee’s journey from 7th-century Ethiopia through the Islamic world, from its early bans to the first coffeehouses in Istanbul.
China’s First Coffee Boom: 1952–1961 Planting Surge
From 1952 to 1961, China’s coffee industry saw its first major expansion, with 5,066 hectares planted nationwide—1,426 in Hainan and 3,640 in Yunnan, led by state farms and research efforts.