Coffee Culture
Latest articles, industry insights and brewing guides
How Enlightenment Ideas Traveled from Parisian Cafés to America
Learn how French Enlightenment thinkers used Paris’s Café Procope to draft major works—and how U.S. founders later carried those ideas home.
How Paris' Oldest Café Became a French Cultural Icon
Founded in 1686, Le Procope is Europe’s oldest continuously operating café, a hub for Enlightenment thinkers and revolutionaries.
How Italian Culture Shaped French Coffee Tradition
French coffee culture took root via southern ports, decades after Italy. Learn how Marseille and Lyon sparked France’s early coffee trade—despite Parisian resistance.
From Cowboy Coffee to Specialty: The American Coffee Journey
How America went from boiling cowboy coffee to launching the global specialty coffee movement, starting with Peet’s in 1966.
How Many Coffee Beans Did Beethoven Use Per Cup?
German composer Beethoven insisted on using exactly 60 coffee beans per cup—about 9 grams—for his daily brew. Here’s the math and music history behind it.
Germany’s 1777 Coffee Ban: Frederick the Great’s Failed Beer Push
In 1777, Frederick the Great tried to ban coffee in Germany to protect beer. Here’s why it failed—and how coffee still won.
How Coffee Reached Germany in 1670 and Took Hold
Coffee arrived in Germany in 1670—decades after Italy and France—and quickly spread despite royal resistance. Here’s how it became a national staple.
How Saint Helena Coffee Got Famous Through Napoleon’s Praise
Saint Helena coffee rose to fame after Napoleon praised it as 'the only good thing' on the island. Learn the history and why it became a sought-after single origin.
Napoleon’s Exile and Saint Helena’s Historic Coffee
Discover how Napoleon drank his coffee during exile on Saint Helena, where British-planted Mocha trees thrived despite harsh conditions.
Napoleon’s Favorite Coffee and Saint Helena’s Legendary Beans
Discover how Saint Helena coffee became famous through Napoleon’s exile, and why it’s now one of the rarest and priciest coffees in the world.
How Saint Helena’s Green-Tipped Bourbon Coffee Began
In 1732, Britain planted Yemeni Bourbon seeds on Saint Helena. Neglected, they survived—and became Napoleon’s favorite. Today, it’s one of the rarest specialty coffees.
How British Coffeehouses Helped Invent Modern Business
Early UK coffeehouses sparked debate, networking, and commerce—some even became insurers like Lloyd’s. Learn how a penny got you knowledge, and two, a coffee.
How London’s Stock Exchange Grew From a Coffeehouse
Learn how 17th-century London coffeehouses—including Jonathan’s—became the foundations of both Lloyd’s of London and the London Stock Exchange.
Why Britain Embraced Coffee Before France
Britain adopted coffee earlier than France—by the 1630s. The first UK coffeehouse opened in Oxford in 1650, long before Paris caught on.
How the Dutch Became Early Coffee Traders and Planters
The Netherlands was the first Western nation to trade and cultivate coffee, importing beans from Yemen by 1640 and pioneering overseas cultivation.
How 17th Century Europe Kickstarted Global Coffee Demand
Europe’s coffee obsession began in the 17th century with Yemeni imports. By the 18th century, soaring demand outstripped supply, reshaping global production.
How Ethiopia’s Wild Coffee Led to Global Trade
Learn how Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, transitioned from wild forests to global exports, and how a French poet turned coffee trader in Harar.
Why Parisian Cafés Matter to French Coffee Culture
French coffee culture centers on cafés—more than just drinks, they’re social hubs. Here’s why locals love them and what visitors miss.
Vienna’s Coffee Culture: What Makes It Special?
Learn how Vienna’s 17th-century coffee legacy shaped its iconic café scene and beloved Melange blend, still a city staple today.
What Makes Swiss Coffee Unique in Europe
Discover the secrets behind Switzerland’s iconic coffee culture, including its balanced ratios, specialized machines, and premium ingredients.