Coffee Culture
Latest articles, industry insights and brewing guides
How the French Made Coffee a Cultural Ritual
From Parisian cafés to wartime rationing, here’s how France turned coffee into a symbol of elegance, debate, and daily life.
Vienna’s Coffee Culture: A 300-Year Tradition
Explore Vienna’s 17th-century coffeehouse legacy, iconic drinks like Melange, and why coffee is as vital as music in the city’s culture.
The History of Coffee in Japan: From Prohibition to Popularity
Discover how coffee entered Japan during the Edo period, struggled under isolation, and eventually became a beloved national drink by the 20th century.
How Chinese Coffee Culture Evolved Over Time
Explore how Chinese coffee culture blends tradition with modernity, from ancient aesthetics to moral and artistic expressions in today’s cafés.
Lu Xun and Gongfei Café: A Literary Coffee Spot in Old Shanghai
Though he never drank coffee, Lu Xun made Gongfei Café famous through his frequent visits during the 1930s while organizing the Chinese Left-Wing Writers' Union.
How a Chinese-Japanese Scholar Launched Japan’s First Coffeehouse
In 1888, Zheng Yongqing opened Japan’s first coffeehouse, 'Kahi Chakan,' blending Western coffee with Eastern literary culture in Tokyo.
How Parisian Cafés Shaped French Literary History
Discover how Paris cafés like Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore became creative hubs for writers like Sartre and Camus, fostering centuries of French literary tradition.
Why Italians Drink Espresso Standing Up
Discover why Italians take their espresso standing, why sitting costs extra, and the right time to order a cappuccino in Italy.
Guatemalan Antigua Coffee: History in Every Cup
Discover the story behind Antigua coffee from Guatemala, its volcanic soil origins, distinctive smoky flavor, and historical roots tied to the Maya.
Where Coffee Originated: Ethiopia’s Coffee Legacy
Learn how Ethiopia gave the world coffee, from its legendary discovery in Kaffa to distinct regional flavors like Yirgacheffe and Sidamo.
The Global Journey of Coffee Beans Through History
From Ethiopia to your cup: trace how coffee spread across continents, evolved into major growing regions, and became the diverse bean variety we know today.
How Turkey Secularized Coffee and Changed Europe
Turkey wasn't the first to bring coffee to Europe—but it was the first to make it a public, everyday ritual. Here's how.
How Honoré de Balzac Made Café Culture Literary
Discover how 19th-century French writer Honoré de Balzac turned café-going into both a daily ritual and a literary lifestyle, influencing modern coffeehouse culture.
Why Taipei Has So Many Unique Specialty Coffee Shops
Taipei boasts over 1,000 coffee shops—more per square mile than almost any city. Discover why locals prefer indie cafes and how the scene evolved.
Why Italians Treat Brewing Coffee Like a Craft
Discover how Italians brew coffee as an art form—with 600 cups per person yearly, moka pots, and a focus on espresso mastery.
What Is Irish Coffee and How Did It Start?
Discover the true flavor and romantic origins of authentic Irish coffee, from Dublin’s airport to your cup.
How Coffee Took Root in Early 20th Century Kunming
Explore how coffee culture emerged in Kunming from 1910, from French-Vietnamese eateries to the legendary South Coming Prosperity café.
How Singapore’s Traditional Kopi Is Still Made by Hand
Singapore’s kopi culture survives through 15 remaining coffee powder factories, where workers manually roast and pound beans—a craft unchanged by automation.
How Loving Coffee Can Lead You to Open a Cafe
An 80s-born overseas returnee fell in love with coffee while working in Japan. Now she dreams of opening her own specialty cafe in Guangzhou.
Writing in Cafés Without WiFi: Why It Works
No WiFi in cafés can actually help writers focus better. Discover how ambient noise, personal space, and fewer distractions boost productivity.