Coffee culture

Coffee culture describes a social atmosphere or series of associated social behaviors that depends heavily upon coffee, particularly as a social lubricant. The term also refers to the diffusion and adoption of coffee as a widely consumed stimulant by a culture. In the late 20th century, particularly in the Western world and urbanized centers around the globe, espresso has been an increasingly dominant form.

Most modern and even indigenous civilizations have some sort of coffee culture. Indigenous cultures brew coffee for spiritual or medicinal purposes. Coffee beans are roasted over a fire and are consumed in a very simple form. Coffee consumption is reserved for these important occasions.

Coffee culture in the developed world, on the other hand, is reflective of consumerism. In the coffee culture of developed countries such as the United States, coffee is consumed every day by over 50% of the population and the average coffee drinker drinks 2 to 3 large cups of coffee per day, amounting to between 300 and 400ml of caffeine.

In modern coffee culture, coffee is typically consumed first thing in the morning for a caffeine hit. Coffee shops, restaurants and cafés are pillars of modern coffee culture and are dominant contributors to the economy as a whole.

In other countries, such as countries in the Middle East or in Russia, the coffee culture is more centred around social situations and is consumed less regularly.