The historical legacy of coffee includes connections to imperialism and labor exploitation, while also serving as a global unifying beverage.
The evolution of coffee preparation involves different brewing methods and the introduction of robusta coffee, resulting in varied tastes and preferences.
Deep dives
The Development of Coffee as a Global Beverage
Coffee has a rich historical legacy, starting from its origins in Ethiopia and Yemen. The podcast delves into how coffee spread across the world, with European imperial powers planting coffee in various territories. The beverage became synonymous with Italy, especially with the development of Italian-style espresso and milk-based drinks like cappuccino. The coffee industry's historical legacy includes connections to imperialism, colonialism, and the exploitation of labor. However, it also unites people globally as a widely consumed beverage.
Changes in Coffee Preparation and Taste
The podcast discusses how coffee preparation has evolved throughout history. Initially, coffee was boiled in water, but later methods like filtering, percolation, and the use of espresso machines were introduced. The taste of coffee has also changed, particularly with the rise of robusta coffee. Robusta, with its higher caffeine content, resulted in a more robust and bitter taste compared to the traditional arabica coffee. The expansion of the coffee market also introduced variations like flavored coffees and instant coffee.
Italian Influence on Coffee Culture
Italy played a significant role in shaping coffee culture, particularly with the development of Italian-style espresso machines and the rise of Italian beverages like cappuccino and cafe latte. These drinks spread first throughout Europe, and then globally, with the iconicity of Italian coffee culture influencing coffee consumption worldwide. However, the podcast also highlights the complexities and regional variations in coffee preferences, with different countries and regions adaptating and evolving their own unique coffee traditions.
Notable Figures in Coffee Consumption
Several historical figures were known for their coffee consumption. Examples include Voltaire, who reportedly drank over 50 cups of coffee a day, Mozart, who wrote the coffee cantata, and Napoleon Bonaparte, whose love for coffee became intertwined with political events and exile. These figures exemplify the cultural significance of coffee and its association with intellectual and artistic pursuits throughout history.
From Sufi mystics in 16th-century Yemen to hipster baristas in cities across the world today, the history of this caffeinated beverage is a long and fascinating one. For our latest everything you wanted to know episode, Rob Attar is joined by Professor Jonathan Morris to explain how coffee and coffee houses conquered the world – and why you shouldn’t order a latte in Milan.
