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Coffee Routes

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On The Trail of Coffee Pleasure

It’s fuel to some, and a lifestyle to others, coffee exist everywhere in culture. Its known history dates back to the 15th century in the Arabian Peninsula, and coffee spread over many cultures’ cuisine in time. It also plays a significant role in today’s most coffee-producing countries histories, all of them introduced to coffee in their colonial era for the first time. Which is relatively late compared to Europe and the Middle East. If you’re a coffee-lover, you have plenty of options from exploring coffee farms to participating in coffee shop tours with coffee brewed vacation packages. You can discover new flavours, cultural rituals, and stroll around the coffee farms with a well-planned coffee route. Start thinking about with which freshly ground coffee bean’s smell you want to wake up!

Coffee Culture from All Around the World

There are two most common stories told about the discovery of red-coloured coffee beans. The first one is from Ethiopia. The story mentions hard-working slaves were chewing coffee beans to feel more energetic. On the other hand, the Yemen side of the story is based on shepherds. They observed the energy shift in exhausted animals after they ingested coffee beans. From there on, the saga of coffee began. As a nearly undiscovered fruit for a long time, coffee beans were assumed to be roasted around the 13th century in Yemen first. Özdemir Pasha, the Ottoman governor of Yemen, was the first person to introduce java to İstanbul in the 15th century. It phenomenally became considerably popular in the city. The fame of coffee started to spread around the Ottoman Empire. Even the palace had a particular group of coffee-making servants for the Sultan. Turkish coffee’s social aspect started as a tool of gossip in the palace. Since the Ottoman palaces had ears and eyes everywhere to detect unsettled buzz, people used coffee fortune-telling to express their non-compliant opinions. Therefore, coffee quickly became an excuse for secret conversations, even for organising social movements. This indicates the social power of coffee throughout the centuries. There was even a time in the 17th century, one of the Ottoman Sultans—Sultan Murat IV—banned people from gathering people in coffee houses because there were some negative conversations about his rule.

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What are Waves of Coffee?

Europeans met coffee for the first time when Ottomans invaded Hungary in the mid-1500s. Then, Venetian merchants started opening coffee shops in the late 1700s. However, the first wave of coffee started in the 1800s when its consumption grew exponentially. It became trendy among the public as a constant need. The second wave came in 1970 by the world’s most famous coffee shop franchise opened the first of its thousands of shops. After that, coffee started to evolve more into mass culture. Finally, the third wave began in 2002 with coffee fans curious about the origins and quality of their coffee. It led to the emergence of many boutique coffee shops globally, and they began to experiment with various brewing methods and serving styles. As a result, coffee transformed into a lifestyle, a significant cultural dynamic, among young people.

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The Leader Countries of Coffee Production and the Best Quality Coffee

Visiting the countries where the best beans are produced and distributed worldwide will be like a pilgrimage if you’re really into the brew.

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5. Honduras

Located in Middle America, Honduras, a relatively small country compared to other countries in the continent, is responsible for exporting about 4% of the world’s coffee. It’s famous for the diversity of coffee beans grown, thanks to the various microclimates and fertility of its soil. You can attend special coffee tours primarily in Copán, Montecillos, and Comayagua, where you’ll visit coffee farms, have coffee tasting sessions and roast your coffee to bring back home as a souvenir.

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4. Indonesia

Indonesia produces around 760 metric tons of coffee annually and ranks number four among the most coffee producing countries worldwide. You can discover over 30 coffee flavours in Indonesia, the most renowned being Arabika, Robusta, and Luwak. You can visit Bali, one of the most popular holiday destinations globally, both to enjoy coffee tours in the vast fields of Indonesia and entertain yourself on its perfect beaches.

Coffee Routes Ethiopia

3. Colombia

South American country contributes to around 10% of the world’s exported coffee, and it’s safe to say that it’s coffee heaven. The best coffee tours in Colombia are usually organised in Bogotá, where you can meet and engage with coffee farmers, visit local coffee shops and taste exquisite coffee you can’t taste anywhere else in the world.

2. Vietnam

Even though the French introduced coffee to Vietnamese in the 19th century, the country is a prominent actor in coffee production and export in the world. It’s not only famous for coffee production but also has a unique café culture. If you start your vacation in Ho Chi Minh City, be sure to explore the café scene, meet with locals, backpackers, and other coffee enthusiasts who are there for the same reason as you are.

1. Brazil

Brazil produces almost one-third of the world’s coffee. So there’s a high chance the beans of the coffee you drink are from this large South American coffee vanguard wherever in the world you are. You can travel to Rio de Janeiro and drive to world-renowned Valença to see coffee farms and participate in coffee roasting and tasting sessions if you include a car rental with your package vacation. Some of the farms in Valença have remained from the colonial era. Thus, you will have an opportunity to learn the intriguing history of coffee in this area, where also offers dream-like natural landscapes.

Locations Not to Be Missed for a Diverse Coffee Culture Experience

The abovementioned countries offer a complete coffee experience package. But, there are other countries where you can be part of the local coffee culture and various coffee drinking rituals.

Get a Fortune Telling in Istanbul

Türkiye distributed the love of coffee in the 16th century. Istanbul is still strongly connected with its Ottoman routes when it comes to Turkish coffee. Turkish coffee is pure roasted beans. The coffee is brewed in a small “cezve.” You can even find some coffeehouses where you can get a fortune reading from “telve.” It’s is a ritual since the Ottoman era. The coffee is generally served with Turkish delights. So you can have a journey of taste and history in the same cup. Istanbul is one of the greatest cities for coffee lovers.

Try Arabic Coffee if You Like Your Coffee Strong in Beirut

Tastes almost identical to Turkish coffee, Arabic coffee uses different spices, mainly cardamom, in their brewing process. Another difference in the Arabic coffee process is while Turkish coffee can be served “without, medium, and well” sugary according to a person’s preference, Arabic coffee only has the without sugar option. If you want to see İstanbul and Beirut on the same route, the coffee experience will be spectacular. Spicy or sweet. Your choice.

Gaziantep: Menengiç Coffee Is Not Even Coffee

Another gem of Türkiye, menengiç coffee, is a firm representative for the city of Gaziantep. The coffee is way softer than regular Turkish coffee. It’s a small fruit. After it’s dried, roasted, and grounded, used for brewing menengiç coffee. Gaziantep is also famous for its kebab shop, so it’s a must-go destination for almost every food enthusiast too.

Taste the world-famous Italian Espresso in Milan

Italians’ daily fuel is espresso more than anything. There is a strong culture and a significantly low amount of franchise coffee shops in the country. But, in the heart of fashion, Milan can offer you one of the finest roasts in the world if you fancy a shot of espresso. You can drink espresso at any time of the day while enjoying this beautiful city. The coffee is served with a small cup as a “shot.” Espresso is way sharper than Turkish coffee, and the impact is stronger on the nerves.

Cuban Espresso Is Small and Sweet in Havana

Nearly the same as an Italian espresso, Cuban espresso’s taste is way bitter. Therefore, sugar is added to Cuban espresso to make it softer. Thus, you can sip your “cafecito,” which literally means “small coffee,” while enjoying the authentic and unique environment of Havana.

Don’t Ask for “without Milk” Option for Your Lagrima in Buenos Aires

This coffee is made for robusta coffee beans. The roast has such a strong taste and flavour, it’s brewed with milk with only a dose of espresso, and it’s served in a regular coffee cup! Also known as “lagrima,” which means “tear” because of the amount of espresso in the process. The warm people and lively culture of Buenos Aires can take you on an unforgettable journey while enjoying great coffee.

Wait for a While before Pouring Your Bosnian Coffee into Your Cup

Using the same methods with Turkish coffee, Bosnians differ when it comes to the serving. Coffee is served in a “cezve” instead of in a cup. That’s because of a difference in the brewing process. Water boils without coffee, and coffee is added after water is boiled and cezve is taken away from the stove. That’s why the coffee brews while cooling down. Sarajevo is a city where the East meets the West because of equally stunning Ottoman and Balkan cultural influence.

Get a Taste of Peruvian Coffee Beans in Lima

In Peru, it is minimal to access farming chemicals. Therefore, almost any coffee you’ll drink will be organic. Therefore, Lima is a perfect third-wave city. You can even attend coffee shop tours. The coffee differs from the other ones with its natural vanilla extract and sweet taste.

Moshi is a Special Place to Sip Some Tanzanian Coffee

Coffee production is one of the most significant income sources in Tanzania. Specifically, Moshi is the best destination to taste the most significant Tanzanian flavours. It’s the perfect mixture of sweet and bitter. You can also visit the farms near Kilimanjaro Mountain, which is a wonder of nature. Coffee has an impact on almost every country’s culture and coffee-lovers everywhere. From morning routines in business life to Jim Jarmush’s 2003 “Coffee and Cigarettes” film, you can spot a trace of coffee in various areas of culture.

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