Tracing coffee's adventures on the other side of the Atlantic
Tracing coffee's adventures on the other side of the Atlantic
The spreading of coffee is an adventurous process, as coffee has literally passed forty waves until it is established as the most popular beverage in the world. From the era of the Arab coffee monopoly to the American big city hipster cafes, a lot of water (or ... a lot of coffee) has flowed into the groove. We are exploring one of the most influential and at the same time most overlooked coffee cultures on the planet: American!
When did the Americans first try coffee?
Although coffee is closely associated with American culture, it is a fact that it was introduced to the US with a relative delay in Old Epirus. Still, it is of great interest that while Latin America is now responsible for the bulk of the coffee we consume internationally, the first US settlers drank coffee imported from European soil, since coffee cultivation did not still established in South and Central America. Coffee was generally introduced into the US in the late 17th century, but it still faces the distrust of Americans, who continue to enjoy their tea, so the popularity of coffee remains limited.
An uprising that changed the habits of a people and gave birth to a nation
American colonists' relations with coffee will change dramatically in 1773. Settlers have long complained about Britain's mom's exorbitant taxes, but over-taxing tea becomes the overflow drop. On December 16, furious locals at the Boston port were throwing boxes of over-taxed tea from the United Kingdom into the sea, shaping the movement that has historically remained the Tea Party. Dissatisfaction with the tea tax has sparked the American Revolution and, ultimately, American Independence. At the same time, however, as the new nation wanted to limit British influences to its daily lives and to shape a new, American identity and culture, it was definitely turning to coffee. Americans' new favorite drink is fully connected to the birth of their nation.
America's contribution to the spread of coffee
With the US adopting coffee, a new, ever-growing market was born for coffee. Combined with colonialism, the result was the rapid spread of coffee cultivation around the globe in the so-called coffee zone. Coffee begins to be cultivated in Asia and Latin America, and where appropriate climatic conditions exist, resulting in just 100 years of becoming one of the most marketable and valuable products internationally.
The rapid expansion of the vast United States creates opportunities for wealthy traders, who take advantage of the new cities created by first bringing in the most sought after goods and substantially creating the US trade routes. In this expansion of commerce, coffee plays an important role. The coffee wholesalers are among the first traders to arrive in a brewing city - the spread of coffee throughout the country is a fact.
The American culture of coffee
The culture of coffee in the American continent can be described through the shape of the "Three Waves of Coffee". According to this interpretive approach, the first wave of coffee dates back to the early 20th century, when coffee ceased to be available only in cafes and caterers and began being sold to consumers in the form of roasted beans and ground coffee. Mostly, Americans consume filter coffee, while at the same time, the discovery of instant coffee is also included.
The second wave of coffee beats America after the war, and concerns the spread to the New World of its already hugely popular espresso in Europe. Espresso conquers America at a rapid pace, both in its original form and in various variations. Finally, the third wave of coffee was born in the late 20th century and is about treating coffee more as a gastronomic delight and less as a daily habit: monotonous coffees, sophisticated extracts, gourmet delights shape his new American habits. 21st century.
Coffee and America: The special features.
Americans are particularly high in per capita coffee consumption, with nearly 70% of Americans consuming more than two cups of coffee a day. Filter coffee continues to enjoy popularity, and espresso and its beverages are also popular, thanks to the large focus chains that began in the 1970s.
There are no special, specialty coffee specialties born in America - after all, Americano, the famous espresso variant, was born in Europe before moving to America. It is also worth noting that coffee is not produced on American soil, with the exception of the State of Hawaii, which produces some rare and sought after varieties of coffee, such as the famous Kona coffee.
The image of American coffee is summed up in its reflection on pop culture, especially through cinema and television: generous doses of filter coffee, in restaurants, fast foods, cafes, motels and breakfast spots, which are even free of charge. This is indeed a true aspect of American coffee culture, though it is not the only one, not even the dominant one, anymore.
Coffee culture is much more than just a few recipes: it is the epitome of everyday life for all people: by knowing the American coffee culture, we better learn the habits of an entire nation.
