A journey around coffee and its rituals

Coffee isn't just a beverage that helps us start the day or share a friendly moment. It's also a true cultural institution, rooted in the history and traditions of many countries. Each region of the world has developed a unique way of preparing, serving, and enjoying coffee. These rituals reflect the identity, spirituality, and conviviality of the people who practice them. Let's explore the great coffee ceremonies around the world: from Ethiopia, the birthplace of this nectar, to Ottoman Turkey, modern Italy, and the refinement of Japan.

Ethiopia: Cradle and Spiritual Celebration of Coffee

Ethiopia is considered the birthplace of coffee. According to legend, a shepherd named Kaldi discovered the energizing properties of the beans after observing his excited goats eating coffee berries. But beyond the myth, coffee culture in Ethiopia is deeply intertwined with social and spiritual life.

The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a ritual that often lasts several hours. The green beans are roasted in front of the guests, releasing a captivating aroma that fills the room. Then, the beans are pounded in a mortar and brewed in a traditional coffee pot called a jebena . The drink is served in three successive stages, symbolizing life, love, and blessing. Refusing a cup is considered impolite. This ceremony is as much a moment of meditation as it is a social act, strengthening family and community ties.

Turkey: An Ottoman heritage classified by UNESCO

Turkish coffee is renowned worldwide for its dense texture and full-bodied flavor. Introduced to Istanbul in the 16th century, it quickly became an institution, giving rise to the famous Ottoman coffeehouses , veritable meeting places and intellectual exchanges.

Coffee is prepared in a small copper container called a cezve . Very finely ground coffee is mixed with water and sugar, then gently heated to a thick foam, but never brought to a full boil. The brew is served in small cups without filtering, leaving grounds that are sometimes used for fortune-telling, a practice known as tasseomancy .

In 2013, UNESCO declared Turkish coffee an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This ritual is associated with hospitality, friendship, and the transmission of ancestral know-how.

Italy: the art of espresso and la dolce vita

If there's one country that has elevated coffee to the status of an everyday art form, it's Italy. Here, coffee is a lifestyle, and every moment of the day has its own drink: quick espresso a cappuccino for breakfast (but never after lunch), or a macchiato in the mid-afternoon.

The Italian ritual is based on espresso , that intense concentrate obtained thanks to a high-pressure machine invented in Turin at the beginning of the 20th century. Drinking coffee in Italy is not only a matter of taste, but also a social act. Coffee bars are lively places where people exchange, debate, and laugh in a few minutes, standing at the counter.

Italian coffee embodies la dolce vita : savoring the present moment to the fullest, even if it's just for a small shot of black coffee.

Japan: Refinement and Western Influence

In Japan, tea has long dominated the hot beverage culture. However, since the 19th century, coffee has found a growing place, particularly with the country's opening to the West. Japan has developed a unique approach, blending traditional refinement with modern innovation.

Kissaten , traditional retro cafes, offer an intimate and nostalgic experience. They often feature filter coffee, slowly brewed with meticulous attention to detail. Japan is also a pioneer in the art of slow coffee and gentle extraction, such as the pour-over or siphon coffee. These techniques emphasize precision, purity of flavor, and aesthetics.

Today, Japan is also the kingdom of canned coffee , available in every vending machine. This contrast illustrates the Japanese duality: respect for tradition and fascination with modernity.

Other fascinating rituals around the world

Arabic coffee: hospitality and generosity

In the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the Emirates, coffee is served flavored with cardamom in small, handleless cups called finjan . It accompanies dates and symbolizes welcome and respect for guests. It is prepared in a long brass pot, the dallah , which has become a cultural emblem of the region.

Sweden: Fika, a moment of conviviality

In Sweden, coffee is not a formal ceremony, but an essential social ritual: fika . It is a coffee break accompanied by pastries, shared among colleagues, friends, or family. It is a moment of relaxation, conversation, and conviviality that structures the day.

Latin America: Coffee at the Heart of Everyday Life

In Brazil, Colombia, or Mexico, coffee is part of daily life. cafézinho is offered at any time as a welcome. In Colombia, filter coffee is served sweet and light, and it accompanies daily life more than it constitutes a ceremony. Yet, in these producing regions, coffee remains deeply linked to identity and national pride.

The universal values carried by coffee

Despite the diversity of practices, a common thread connects all these ceremonies: coffee is a vector of social connection . Whether it is Ethiopian spirituality, Turkish conviviality, Italian vitality or Japanese refinement, coffee goes beyond its role as a simple stimulating drink.

It embodies hospitality , sharing and cultural identity . In each cup, we find a part of history, know-how and values passed down from generation to generation. Coffee is thus both an intangible heritage and a universal experience that brings people together.

In short: a journey that continues in our cups

Exploring coffee ceremonies around the world is like traveling without leaving your cup. Ethiopia reminds us of coffee's spiritual roots, Turkey immerses us in Ottoman hospitality, Italy celebrates the intensity of the moment, and Japan reveals the harmony between tradition and modernity. Other countries add their own touches, creating a cultural mosaic as rich as it is fragrant.

The next time you enjoy a cup of coffee, think of these distant traditions that still resonate in every sip. Coffee, much more than just a beverage, is a universal language that tells the story of peoples and unites cultures.

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