International Coffee Day: The world’s favorite ritual

Coffee is overmuch much than a blistery drink. For millions of people, it’s some a regular necessity and a regular pleasure, portion for galore cultures it stands arsenic a awesome of tradition. From Brazil to Côte d’Ivoire, and from Europe to Asia, each spot has its ain “sacred” mode of enjoying it. Somewhere betwixt aromas, brewing secrets, and tiny rituals, a cosmopolitan connection is born—one spoken without words: the connection of coffee.

In the East, java is simply a substance of patience: brewed dilatory successful blistery soil oregon successful a cezve, giving the beans clip to merchandise their afloat aroma. In Italy, wherever beingness moves astatine a dizzying pace, the espresso provides a speedy but almighty burst of energy. In Greece, Greek coffee—with its signature kaimaki foam—is a constituent of reference, though its “authorship” is shared with the Turkish tradition.

One happening is certain: bully java begins with a bully blend. Soil, climate, water, and aerial signifier the quality of each bean. The 2 main varieties, Arabica and Robusta, subdivision into countless shades, with Brazil, Jamaica, Vietnam, and Tanzania among the world’s apical sources. But successful the end, the “perfect coffee” is ever the 1 that champion suits our ain habits.

Coffee Styles

Espresso Romano
In Italy, java civilization has strict rules. Ristretto is the eventual obsession, portion ordering a cappuccino aft a repast is considered astir sacrilegious. In the north, beardown java is preferred; successful the south, lighter. Naples proudly boasts the champion espresso bars. Among the much antithetic variations is the Espresso Romano, served with a twist of citrus peel—though its existent transportation to Rome remains questionable.

Americano
Despite its name, the Americano was calved successful Italy, erstwhile U.S. soldiers during World War II diluted espresso with blistery water. In the U.S., though, the favorites are different: the Gibraltar (similar to a macchiato) and the Red Eye (espresso combined with drip coffee). The mean American drinks 3.5 cups per day, with Seattle inactive reigning arsenic the country’s java capital.

Mediterranean and Exotic Flavors
In Spain, mezcla java is distinguished by its caramelized taste, arsenic the beans are roasted with sugar. In Portugal, mazagran is served acold with citrus and ice, portion successful Germany the Pharisaer mixes java with rum and whipped cream. In Vietnam, java is made with condensed beverage and ice, portion successful Greece, the frappé has go the eventual summertime drink.

The Cezve: When Coffee Became Culture

Coffee brewed successful the cezve (or briki) traveled from Yemen and Cairo to Constantinople and Athens. For Turks, it is portion of their taste heritage; for Greeks, a regular ritual. Tradition dictates that the java should simmer dilatory successful blistery soil oregon ash to make the cleanable foam. Some similar it beardown and heavy (meraklidikos), others lighter—but each hold it is simply a customized with heavy roots.

Coffee Trivia

• Colombia’s Eje Cafetero—the “coffee triangle”—produces immoderate of the finest beans successful the world.
• In 1677, Frederick of Prussia banned coffee, claiming it distracted citizens from their work.
• Vietnam is present the world’s second-largest java producer, aft Brazil.
• Vienna’s emotion matter with java began aft the Turkish siege of 1683, which near down sacks of beans. The city’s oldest café, Café Frauenhuber, erstwhile hosted Mozart.
• The celebrated Irish java was invented successful 1942 to lukewarm hose passengers whose formation was forced backmost to Ireland owed to atrocious weather.
• In Senegal, achromatic capsicum is added to coffee; successful Mexico, cinnamon sticks; and successful Turkey, cardamom.