Whether it’s that very first cup of the day, brought to us by our loved ones on a lazy Sunday morning, or the special magic that our favourite barista in the local coffee shop is able to weave with a steam wand, we all have our cherished rituals when it comes to the perfect cup of coffee.
Coffee drinking habits around the world vary considerably. Here are some of our favourites…
Coffee Caribbean style
The caramelisation of natural sugars in coffee beans is a key part of achieving a full and rounded flavour and the attractive cream, but in Cuba this process is intensified by adding sugar throughout the brewing process to produce a strong and sweet espresso.
Mexicans like it spicy!
While Mexico’s love affair with cocoa is well known, the country is also a grower of some amazing coffee varieties. But unlike the countries they export beans to, the Mexicans like to spice their coffee with cinnamon and a tangy, unrefined sugar called ‘piloncilo’, drinking from earthenware pots that impart a distinct flavour to this heady brew.
Good things come to those who wait in East Africa
Nowhere is the coffee-brewing ritual taken more seriously than in Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee. Women will spend two to three hours slowly roasting and preparing the beans before the drink is served steaming hot from a spouted vessel.
Instant coffee!
In a country renowned for efficiency, the Japanese seem to have little time for coffee-brewing, and prefer to buy their coffee from vending machines, both hot and cold. Canned coffee in Japan dates back as far as the 1960s.
Coffee on the go in Italy
In Italy, coffee is serious business. The strong, deep espressos that Italians favour are typically consumed at lukewarm temperatures while standing. Coffee bars aren’t designed as venues for relaxed socialisation, and customers grab their caffeine hit and carry on with their day.
Committed Brazilians
As the world’s largest growers and exporters of beans, Brazilians have always taken their coffee seriously. But in 2001 the Post Office of Brazil immortalised the country’s commitment to the bean with a commemorative stamp that was scented with coffee. A special process allowed microscopic capsules of roasted coffee to be incorporated into the clear varnish covering the stamp, meaning that the scent of Brazil’s favourite export could be mailed around the globe.
If you’re ready to shake up your coffee habits with great flavours and the latest in coffee brewing, contact us to book a free coffee tasting session.
