The multifaceted culture of coffee
8:07:00 PM
Coffee is an ancient tradition worldwide, although each country has its own preparation method. That's why if you are a traveler and have tasted coffee in many and different countries you will have noticed that its taste varies around the world.
Britain: Coffee vs Tea
It is well known that British people share a love for tea and coffee as well. The first café opened in the middle of the 17th century and it also served tea, which was an expensive drink that only the bourgeoisie could afford. It was only in the late 18th century, with the reduction of taxes, that tea became popular in both middle and working class. Today, still loyal to the tradition of their tea time ritual, the British people continue to prefer tea to coffee, probably thanks to the long-term Royal Family's preference for tea. It is a fact that British people consume an average of 2.3kg of coffee per capita every year.
Italy: The Holy espresso
If you ask for a coffee in Italy, you will probably get an espresso. You can drink it at any time of the day, while having a quick break, usually standing on the bar. In fact, the actual espresso should be drunk in just two or three sips. If you need an extra dose of caffeine, you can order a "caffè doppio", that is, a double shot of espresso. In Italy, cappuccino is usually consumed at breakfast time, often with sweet delicacies such as a croissant. Italians prefer espresso after lunch, dinner or late at night and they consume about 5.6kg per inhabitant on average.
The "Koffietijd" of Dutch people
In the Netherlands, coffee is very popular with a consumption of about 6kg per capita every year. During the day, the Dutch drink a lot of coffee: in the morning to start the day, between 10:00 and 11:00 for the "Koffi-Tijd" (coffee break), for a dose of energy later in the day, or with colleagues in the office. They can also, drink an American coffee after dinner, while sometimes they drink a "verkeerd Koffie", which refers to milk with a drop of coffee instead of coffee with a drop of milk. Koffie verkeerd is served in a small glass.
Coffee in Germany
The Germans have created a strong relationship with coffee as well. They drink coffee the way they like it most, at any time of the day: light or strong, with or without milk or sugar, prepared in a vending machine or a brand new espresso coffee maker. Every year, Germans drink an average of 6.7kg of coffee per capita, that is, 160 liters a year or about four cups a day.
Cafè au lait for France
France is famous all over the world for savoir vivre - the art of life that, along with a passion for coffee, is an important part oftheir national culture. The coffee consumption is coming up to an average per capita of 5.6kg. Coffee is mainly consumed at home, using a coffee machine or a French press, invented in France at the beginning of the 20th century. Customers usually order café au lait, served with a croissant or a French toast (a toast with a few tablespoons jam).
The perfect café au lait is served in a thick bowl or "bol", and the milk with coffee is poured on it at the same time. During the day, French people could drink "petit noir" or a "café noir" sometimes diluted with water - so it is called "café lungo". After dinner, cognac can be served with black coffee, or alternatively Cafè Granit, a sweet but intense coffee with a liqueur.
From Europe to USA
Americans love coffee. Whether you are in a restaurant or a store with buns, a head nod is all you need to have a free coffee refill. Cafes multiply in major American cities, like no other place on Earth. They offer a huge variety of recipes: milk coffee, cold coffee, cappuccino, vanilla coffee, and a whole host of other flavors. Despite this, annual per capita consumption is very low: about 4kg, less than the average of countries on the other side of the Atlantic. This probably happens because Americans are not so keen on eating breakfast and they prefer quality over quantity.
The love for coffee is spread all over the world and it has become a part of its country’s culture. So, if you share the same love with us make sure to follow Bless This Hot Mess for more coffee news.
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