In the morning, bustling, traffic laden streets filled with people from all walks of life define the American work ethic.
They symbolize the typical American’s commute to success.
And what fuels this drive to succeed?
The answer is coffee.
Coffee is tantamount with the morning experience in the United States as it provides us energy to keep up with our busy way of life and puts us well on our way towards achieving the American dream.
American coffee culture is defined by its ubiquitous use to keep up with the rhythm of the American worker.
By Andrew.
Published on 2022.09.04
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Coffee has become so omnipresent in American society, that it is hard to imagine life without it.
How did coffee become such an intrinsic part of American culture?
To answer this question, it is important to discuss the history of coffee in America, European coffee culture and its influence on America’s, and present-day American coffee culture.
Who Brought Coffee to America?
The British Were the First Ones to Introduce Coffee to America
In the 17th century, with their colonization of America, the British brought coffee with them (Coffeeaffection.com).
The first noteworthy event of coffee importation was when coffee beans were brought specifically to the bustling city of New Amsterdam, which is now New York.
At first, coffee was not very popular, especially when compared to the tea drinking habits of people living here.
Tea remained the drink of choice in the region until the middle to end of the 18th century.
The Influence of the Boston Tea Party: A Shift Away from Tea
In fact, it was not until after the Boston Tea Party that the coffee industry began to boom.
The Boston Tea Party was a protest to the British taxation without representation.
At Griffin’s Wharf in Boston, Massachusetts, protesters dumped chests of tea, a symbol of British oppression, into the harbor to stand up to British tyranny.
It was the first major act of defiance against the Crown (History.com)
This change in culture marked by the American Revolution, shifted a society from favoring tea to favoring coffee.
Coffee Drinking During the American Civil War: A Fuel for Soldiers
This shift to favoring coffee switched to it becoming almost universally enjoyed during the American Civil War.
Coffee was relatively cheap at this time, and was popular due to the fact that it didn’t spoil.
Also, it was very popular among soldiers in the Union and Confederacy.
Coffee Post War: Pioneers in the Coffee Industry
This popularity continued after the end of the war, and became a drink to fuel the journey of those in the West seeking fame and fortune during the Gold Rush of 1848. It was around this time that pre-portioned coffee bags were invented for the convenience.
Today, these individually sized bags or containers are a given, but it was a ground-breaking invention back then!
Coffee in the 20th Century: A Catalyst for the American Work Ethic
Coffee began to be synonymous with dealing with the drudgery of work in the 20th Century, especially among the leaders of the country.
In fact, it was said that Theodore Roosevelt drank a gallon of coffee every day!
While coffee drinking has its own unique characteristics in the United States, such as it being associated with speed and convenience, it is impossible to discount the presence of some European influences as well.
Read on to learn about European coffee culture and what things from that culture transferred to American coffee culture (Sean Brennan, coffeeaffection.com)
Coffee Culture in Europe
Coffee, after being discovered in Ethiopia and spread to the Middle East, it eventually found its way to Europe – a place that revolutionized the coffee industry with new ways to consume the wondrous bean.
Drinking coffee in Europe is about the experience. They tend to enjoy their coffee slowly, savoring each small sip.
Because of this fact, all of the consumer’s focus is on the beverage itself. It was this focus on crafting the best cup that led to the creation of some of the most famed coffee drinks in the world.
Some of the continent’s biggest influencers on its coffee culture are: Italy, France, and Greece.
Italy: The Birth of the Espresso Machine
The popularity of those milky and frothy coffee drinks we all enjoy in the United States would not be present without the influence of Italians, who invented espresso.
According to Historyofcoffee.net, Angelo Moriondo invented the first espresso machine in 1884.
He came up with the idea of using steam pressure to push hot water through the fine coffee grounds.
Espresso literally means “pressed out.”
Almost all Italian coffee drinks are made with espresso as their base.
This includes cappuccino, which is now a very popular drink in the United States.
France: The Invention of the Café au Lait
French coffee was heavily influenced by the Italians in that they also use espresso as the base for many of their drinks with a couple exceptions, the most notable of which is the café au lait (translates to “coffee with milk.”
The origins of café au lait date back to the 17th century and references to this drink were made in letters written by Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, the marquise of Sevigne (Nescafe.com)
In French coffee culture, coffee consumers often crowd in cafes to and enjoy an experience like no other.
I studied abroad in Paris and experienced it first-hand.
The mixed smell of cigarette smoke, coffee brewing, and croissants baking is an experience I will never forget.
While this experience cannot be created without being there, American coffee shop culture has similar characteristics.
Greek Coffee: Very Similar to Turkish Coffee
Any talk of European coffee culture must include discussion of the influence of the Greeks.
According to Greek culture, coffee is always around.
This can be compared similarly to the American coffee culture.
Coffee should be readily available in Greece.
And the most widely consumed type of coffee is Turkish coffee, or “briki” in Greek.
It is made with fine coffee grounds that are boiled in a special pot and served in a small espresso-like cup (Lindsey Goodwin, Thespruceeats.com)
Turkish coffee is enjoyed throughout the Middle East. My father is Lebanese and always makes Turkish coffee every morning.
There is nothing quite like waking up to that aroma.
Greek coffee culture can be summed up in six words: “Sit down and enjoy your coffee!”
It is similar to French coffee culture in that consumers flock to cafes to discuss anything from politics to literature.
We have talked about the history of American coffee culture and the European coffee culture and its influence on America’s coffee culture.
But what about present-day American coffee culture.
Why is Coffee so Popular in America?
I think present-day coffee culture in America has an obsession with coffee. It is a mélange of different cultures coming together, offering something that every coffee connoisseur can enjoy.
We have busy cafes, just like in Europe. We have diverse menu options.
We have a range of options for making coffee at home.
It is this versatility that make American coffee culture so unique that it is an experience like no other.
