Join us on a sensory journey through coffee cultures and customs—not literally 80 cups, but a celebration of some of the world's most beloved brews!
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01 Oct 2024
9 Min Read
Emma Chee Luo Yi (Contributing Writer)
Join us on a sensory journey through coffee cultures and customs—not literally 80 cups, but a celebration of some of the world's most beloved brews!
Coffee was part of my life long before my first sip. Growing up with coffee-loving parents, the scent of freshly brewed coffee was ever-present in our home, piquing my curiosity about what this molten, golden liquid might taste like. One day in high school, I finally tried my mother's instant coffee mix and was instantly (pun intended) captivated—the delicate balance of sweetness and bitterness played a symphony on my palate, while the nutty aftertaste danced gracefully. From that moment on, hardly a day has passed without coffee.
For many of us, myself included, coffee is an indispensable part of life: it's the energising elixir that powers us through deadlines, the comforting cup that keeps conversations flowing at social gatherings, and the aesthetically pleasing beverage that beckons us from social media. Yet, coffee holds a far deeper significance than we might realise.
From the ceremonial brewing of Turkish coffee to the iconic iced Americano in South Korea, this International Coffee Day, I invite you to join me on a journey around the world. Discover how different cultures savour their beloved brews and the unique rituals that reflect each country's local customs and social norms.
What better place to start than Turkey, a country renowned for one of the world's oldest coffee brewing traditions? Coffee was first introduced to Turkey through Yemen during the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. By the mid-17th century, coffee had become an integral part of the ceremonies at the Ottoman Court, celebrated for its rich flavour and cultural significance.
Neighbourhood coffeehouses, historically exclusive to men, served as vital hubs for social gatherings. These establishments preserved the oral histories of the Ottoman Empire by providing a vibrant stage for storytelling and folklore. In Anatolia, they also functioned as venues for dispute resolution, facilitating dialogue between dissenting parties. Moreover, Turkish coffee is deeply interwoven with the country's cultural heritage. Historical coffee rituals play a significant role in modern marriage customs; for example, a bride-to-be's ability to brew coffee properly for her family and prospective husband signifies her readiness for marriage. Additionally, the coffee grounds left at the bottom of the cup are often used for fortune-telling.
At the heart of Turkish coffee culture lies its meticulous preparation process. First, coffee beans are ground to a fine powder using a pestle and mortar or a traditional Turkish coffee grinder. The ground beans are then combined with filtered cold water in a copper pot called a cezve, which is placed over a heated pan filled with sand until the mixture simmers and foams. Afterwards, the pot is removed, and the liquid is stirred; this process is repeated until the coffee thickens. It's then left to cool so the grounds settle at the bottom. The preparation and presentation of Turkish coffee are so distinctive that it was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2013, highlighting its importance as a cherished tradition.
The 16th century heralded the arrival of coffee in Italy, introduced through trade routes from the East and popularised by the growing influence of the Ottoman Empire. In 1720, Caffè Florian, the nation's first coffeehouse, opened its doors in Venice, quickly becoming an intellectual hotspot for artists and thinkers alike. The early 20th century saw the invention of the espresso machine, revolutionising coffee brewing methods. This innovation enabled baristas to extract the essence of coffee beans in an unprecedented way, yielding a bolder, more flavourful cup in a fraction of the time. This breakthrough catalysed the mass appeal of Italian espresso, ultimately establishing it as a cornerstone of Italian coffee culture and an integral part of the nation's identity.
For Italians, coffee is a daily ritual that emphasises craftsmanship, relaxation, conversation, and contemplation. They take their coffee culture seriously, complete with its own set of etiquette. For example, milk-based coffees like cappuccino are typically enjoyed in the morning, as consuming them after 11:00 am can interfere with digestion. Additionally, the common order of 'latte' is nonexistent in Italy, as the word 'latte' simply means 'milk' in Italian.
Although Brazil has been the world's largest coffee exporter for over 100 years, it may come as a surprise that coffee plants are not native to the country. According to historical lore, a member of the Portuguese military, Francisco de Melo Palheta, allegedly smuggled coffee seeds out of French Guiana and planted the first coffee bush in Brazil in the early 18th century. The coffee plantations flourished in Brazil's warm temperatures, heavy rainfall, and mountainous terrain, resulting in a bountiful harvest that made Brazil responsible for around 40% of the world's coffee exports by the 1840s.
The signature Brazilian coffee, cafezinho, is a small cup of filtered coffee served at boiling temperature with a generous amount of sugar. This household staple is enjoyed for relaxation and social gatherings. Coffee is such an integral part of Brazilian daily life that the term cafezinho has become a welcoming phrase, symbolising hospitality. Most importantly, coffee is a source of national pride for Brazil, representing not only the country's rich agricultural heritage but also its significant contribution to economic vitality and employment opportunities.
Sweet, bold, and rich—these defining characteristics of Vietnamese iced coffee, locally known as cà phê sữa đá, can be traced back to the country's French colonial roots in the 19th century. (The non-iced version is called cà phê sữa nóng.) A French priest brought an Arabica coffee tree to Vietnam in hopes of establishing a thriving crop. Although initially successful, coffee production halted during the Vietnam War. It wasn't until the late 20th century, during economic reforms, that the government heavily invested in large-scale coffee production. Today, Vietnam stands as one of the world's leading exporters of Robusta beans, second only to Brazil.
The quintessential cà phê sữa đá is made by brewing dark-roasted Robusta coffee beans in a metal phin filter, followed by the addition of condensed milk to balance the coffee's smoky undertones. The use of condensed milk reflects the French colonial legacy, as fresh milk was largely inaccessible in Southeast Asia during the 19th century, making condensed milk a practical alternative. In a similar vein, the Vietnamese invented egg coffee, known as cà phê trứng, during the early years of the coffee production boom. This delicacy substitutes fresh milk with egg yolk, created by beating it with condensed milk until it reaches a meringue-like fluff, then poured over hot espresso.
While European settlers introduced coffee to the continent in the late 18th century, it wasn't until the arrival of Italian immigrants in the second half of the 20th century that coffee gained significant traction across Australia. The espresso culture brought by the Italians fundamentally changed social preferences from instant coffee to freshly brewed varieties, leading to a burgeoning appreciation for finely crafted coffee. Over time, cities like Melbourne began to offer speciality and artisanal coffee, ultimately crowning the city as the world's Coffee Capital.
For many Australians, coffee is more than just a drink; it's an art form meant to be savoured and appreciated. With that in mind, Australia takes pride in its rich coffee lexicon and innovative brews. The most iconic of these is the flat white, though its origin is hotly debated between Australia and New Zealand; it combines double espresso with steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. Another distinctly Australian creation is the long black, made by pouring a double shot of espresso over hot water, essentially the reverse of a traditional Americano. Additionally, Australian iced coffee is far from a simple mix of ice and latte; it's typically topped with a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, or both. This delightful treat is especially popular during summer, providing the perfect way to cool down from the scorching heat.
If you're a fan of Korean dramas like I am, you're likely familiar with the sight of main characters sipping iced Americanos—especially in series set in corporate environments. The nation's love for coffee traces back to the late 19th century when King Gojong, captivated by its taste, built Jeonggwang-heon in Deoksugung Palace, a dedicated space where he could savour his coffee. Following Japanese colonisation in 1910, the rise of dabang (or tearooms) spread across the nation, serving coffee alongside other beverages for the enjoyment of the elite. For decades, coffee became synonymous with status, affluence, and modernity until the introduction of instant coffee by American soldiers during the Korean War, making it accessible to a broader population. Throughout the late 20th century, dabang was the heartbeat of the nation's coffee culture, where the drink was enjoyed by people from all walks of life.
Photo credits: DanielFoodDiary.com
Today, coffee remains both a social and cultural experience for many and a lifestyle for others in South Korea. The country is renowned for its unique themed and animal cafés, featuring everything from Sanrio and Studio Ghibli themes to opportunities to dine with sheep and raccoons. (The café in the image, for instance, has a bamboo forest theme!) The iced Americano—a simple drink combining espresso, ice, and chilled water—is the go-to coffee order for many South Koreans. This sugar-free, low-calorie beverage offers numerous benefits: it serves as a source of energy, provides moments of rest, and helps maintain a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, South Korea's coffee culture is highly influential in setting trends across social media, as seen with the convenience store coffee pouch trend that took TikTok by storm, amassing millions of views!
Last but not least, we have our very own Malaysian coffee culture. Sitting down at a kopitiam in the morning with my grandparents, sipping steaming kopi O and enjoying thickly spread kaya toast, forms a cherished part of my early childhood. Once primarily a tea-drinking country, Malaysia welcomed coffee in the late 19th century, introduced by Hainanese Chinese immigrants. This socio-cultural shift brought a variety of dark-roasted Robusta coffees, allowing customers to choose whether to enjoy their coffee with sugar, condensed milk, or black.
At the turn of the 21st century, global coffee chains like Starbucks and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf entered the Malaysian market, transforming coffee into a symbol of urbanisation. As a result, people became increasingly willing to pay for high-quality coffee experiences. Alongside these international brands, local establishments such as ZUS Coffee and Gigi Coffee have gained popularity in recent years, offering comparable high-quality options. Additionally, there has been a resurgence of traditional eateries like Oriental Kopi, Luck Bros Kopi, and OldTown White Coffee, which blend classic coffee house charm with contemporary flair.
For Malaysians, coffee symbolises unity and connection, serving as a medium for social interaction and tradition that transcends cultural, racial, and social differences.
From the exotic coffee mixes in Vietnam to the bustling coffee shops in Melbourne, coffee serves as a universal language that unites us across continents and traditions. So, the next time you purchase a cup at your favourite coffee shop, remember that you're not just indulging in a beverage but also participating in a global tapestry woven with tradition, heritage, and artistry!
Emma Chee Luo Yi pursued Cambridge A Level at Taylor's College before attending the University of Western Australia. A law student with an artistic soul, she studies during the day and writes, draws, or crochets at night!
