Coffee is sometimes called the ‘great uniter’, bringing people together in social situations around the world. The humble coffee bean has shaped many cultures, from daily rituals to traditional practices. Today we’re looking at just a few ways coffee is celebrated globally.
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The Middle East
Coffee and coffee beans are so ubiquitous in the countries of the Middle East that a wealth of social rituals around its consumption developed. Many persist today, and drinking coffee is a key social ritual enjoyed by friends and business partners. In fact, at one point you could not trade in the many markets along the ‘Silk Road’ without sharing a friendly cup first! Khair Beg even banned it from Mecca in 1511. He called it a dangerous and insightful drink that led to radical thinking.
Turkish coffee is probably the best known today. The coffee beans are ground ultra-fine (finer even than espresso), heavily sugared, and brewed in a unique pot called an ibrik, or cezve. It’s simmered and stirred, creating a very powerful brew. Unlike many cultures, the Turks love the crema (coffee froth), and it is essential to great Turkish coffee. It is served in a tiny cup called a fincan alongside a glass of water. Nuanced, thick and velvety, it’s a full-bodied and powerful drink that still showcases the coffee beans’ nuances. You will sip it slowly.
Of course, the Turks are far from the only Middle Eastern cultures who enjoy coffee- you will find a wealth of coffee styles and ceremonies across the entirety of the area.
Italy
You can’t mention espresso without the Italians! Made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans very fast, a good espresso machine can use up to 9 bars of pressure. The result is a concentrated, bold and balanced strong coffee that again embraces the crema. A traditional espresso arrives in a tiny cup very similar to a shot glass. As with the Turks, a glass of water is usually offered to clean the palate.
The cafés and coffee bars of Italy are critical social hubs. Here people gather to chat, exchange gossip, and step away from the daily grind. Italian coffee culture is rich and nuanced. For example, you don’t sit to enjoy an espresso- you drink it standing at the bar! In fact, all coffee must be delivered speedily and efficiently. Italians see milk-based coffees like cappuccino as morning drinks and quality coffee is the only acceptable type.
The United States
The US is another coffee culture where our favourite beverage plays a vital role. It’s also intertwined with pop culture. The many popular sitcoms of the 90s entrenched the coffee shop as the place to hang out with friends and colleagues and relax. However, US coffee culture stretches back much further than that. In fact, Civil War soldiers saw their coffee ration as a necessity to boost morale and bring fortitude and comfort. Some even credit it with a role in ending the war.
While you won’t find a US-specific way to drink coffee, that’s half the charm. They embrace a wealth of coffee traditions from immigrant cultures, of course. But there’s also an ‘anything goes’ approach that’s allowed for innovation and growth. Today the US is the home of speciality and craft coffee culture. It’s also the birthplace of the Western World’s appreciation of high-quality coffee.
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Ethiopia
We can’t talk about the intersection of coffee and culture without mentioning coffee’s birthplace- Ethiopia! Here mass coffee ceremonies are an entrenched part of both culture and social gatherings. Traditionally women brew the coffee in a special clay pot (the jebena) after roasting and hand-grinding the coffee beans. The coffee is slow-brewed over hot coals and then served in a sini, or small cup. Participants wear traditional dress and often play instruments during the ceremony. This isn’t like the Italians- you’ll slowly drink many rounds of coffee as you relax, converse, and tell stories. Coffee is, after all, a sacred gift from nature.
In Ethiopia, coffee and hospitality go hand-in-hand. If you get an invitation to a coffee ceremony, be sure to go- it’s the ultimate sign of welcome. Alongside its important social role, Ethiopia has a rich coffee farming heritage. Some of the best coffee beans in the world come from Ethiopian plantations, and they’re highly valued. Even the name of these farms is beautiful. They are coffee gardens.
Southeast Asia
Coffee is a significant part of Indonesian and Vietnamese culture, too. Vietnamese cà phê đá is a strong coffee sweetened with condensed milk and served on ice. Sumatra, in particular, is home to famous coffees, including the infamous Java. As with all the other places on our list, coffee is an integral part of social culture and tradition, enjoyed with friends and loved ones.
Coffee has never been just a drink. It’s a connection, a social hub, and a way to celebrate our cultures. The diverse ways we enjoy it and celebrate go to show how wonderful this iconic drink really is.
Article written by Rimgaile Vosylyte
