Coffee culture

A coffeehouse in Damascus.

Les Deux Magots in Paris, a famous haunt of French intellectuals

Coffee culture is a term used to describe a social atmosphere that depends heavily upon coffee, espresso in particular, to act as a social lubricant. The term is frequently used to designate the ubiquitous presence of hundreds of espresso stands and coffee shops in the Seattle metropolitan area and the spread of franchises of businesses such as Starbucks and their clones across the United States and much of the world. The term also refers to the diffusion and adoption of coffee as a widely consumed stimulant by a culture.

The formation of culture around coffee and coffeehouses dates back to 16th century Turkey. Coffeehouses were traditionally social hubs, as well as artistic and intellectual centers: modern French philosophy was practically born in Les Deux Magots in Paris where Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir reigned. Trademarks of today's coffeehouses (slower paced gourmet service, tasteful environments, social outlets such as open mic nights) have their origins in early coffeehouses and help to form the concept of coffee culture. Although fast-paced coffee service is available, such as at Starbucks, it is still questionable as to what extent such enterprises truly embody the traditional role of coffeehouses in communities as enhancing the local culture.

Additionally, the term is found frequently in print media to describe the deep impact of the market penetration of coffeehouses. It is not unusual to see several espresso shops and stands within walking distance of each other or on opposite corners of the same intersection, typically with customers overflowing into parking lots.

Other aspects of coffee culture include the presence of free wireless Internet access for customers, many of whom do business in these locations for hours on a regular basis, and casual dating and group social activities. A first date at a coffee shop is seen as a safe and inexpensive alternative to a restaurant, bar, or excessively noisy surroundings.

In media

Coffee culture frequently shows up in comics ("funny pages"), television, and movies in a variety of ways. TV shows such as NCIS show characters constantly with espresso in hand or people distributing take-out cups to other characters. The comic strips Adam and Pearls Before Swine, frequently center the strip around visiting or working at coffee shops.

Daily Mail writer Philip Nolan stated that the spread of the coffee culture in Ireland is largely accredited to American television shows Friends and Frasier, saying, “we saw it reflected in the lifestyles of our TV favourites the Friends gang in Central Perk drinking instead of alcohol; Frasier and Niles having latte and biscotti in the café Nervosa; every cop on TV being called out on a 911 just as he ambled back to his car with Dunkin’ Donut and a cup of strong, black coffee."

International

The coffee culture has shown a spread throughout the world. China has seen a great increase in the coffee culture. The total volume sales of coffee in China has increased 90 % between the years 1998 and 2003. Starbucks’ Greater China vice-president Eden Woon said “China will eventually be the largest international market for Starbucks outside of the United States.”

The coffee culture in Indonesia has taken on a new, modern meaning with the expansion of coffee shops. Even those who are not coffee lovers are spending time in coffee houses just to enjoy the atmosphere. Starbucks opened its first location in Indonesia in 2002 and have now opened 24 locations in the country. Anthony Cottan, general manager of PT Sari Coffee Indonesia, the franchisee for Starbucks, argued that the presence of Starbucks would draw more people to the coffee culture, "while existing local brand coffee shops would educate people more about coffee drinking and expand the potential market."

Social aspects

Many social aspects of coffee can be seen in the modern-day lifestyle. The United States is the largest market for coffee, followed by Germany and Japan[1]. The Nordic countries consume the most coffee per capita, with Finland typically occupying the top spot with a per-capita consumption in excess of 10 kg per year, closely followed by Norway, Sweden and Denmark. [2][3] Consumption has also vastly increased in the United Kingdom in recent years, but as of 2005, was still below 5 kg per year.

Coffee is so popular in the Americas, the Middle East, and Europe that many restaurants specialize in coffee; these are called "coffeehouses" or "cafés". Most cafés also serve tea, sandwiches, pastries, and other light refreshments (some of which may be dunked into the drink). Some shops are miniature cafés that specialize in coffee-to-go for hurried travelers, who may visit these on their way to work as a substitute for breakfast. Some provide other services, such as wired or wireless internet access (thus the name, "internet café" — which has carried over to stores that provide internet service without any coffee) for their customers.

Starbucks, a well known coffeehouse company, began referring to themselves as “The Third Place,” in which they wished to be recognized as the place to go to relax; the third option between work and home This inviting idea actually became a type of lifestyle for thousands of consumers. This clever marketing strategy most likely led to the creation of those who refer to themselves as “Starbucks’ addicts,” and formed the subculture of the company’s devoted consumers.

A woman inviting a man into her home, late at night, for a cup of coffee (typically after a date) has become code for an invitation to sex. This convention has become the subject of a great deal of comedy, and the treatments given to it in Seinfeld (in the words of George Costanza: "'Coffee' doesn't mean coffee! 'Coffee' means sex!"), Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Eddie Izzard (in Dress to Kill) are particularly noted.

Cafés have historically been an important social gathering point in Paris.

In some countries, notably in northern Europe, coffee parties are a popular form of entertainment. Besides coffee, the host or hostess at the coffee party also serves cake and pastries, sometimes homemade.

In Canada, a retail coffee chain - Tim Hortons - has become a Canadian cultural icon. The locations of the chain serve as community hubs, much as a pub would in the U.K.

Coffee plays a large role in much history and literature because of the large effects the coffee industry has had on cultures where it is produced or consumed. Coffee is often mentioned as one of the main economic goods used in imperial control of trade, and with colonized trade patterns in "goods" such as slaves, coffee, and sugar, which defined Brazilian trade, for example, for centuries. Coffee in culture or trade is a central theme and prominently referenced in much poetry, fiction, and regional history.

See also

• List of coffeehouse chains

References

http://www.coffeeculture.co.in