The "Cult" of Coffee Culture

Photo curtesy of Trevor Fuino Photography

Sometimes I have to remind myself that liking coffee is not a personality trait... however I think coffee is a great conversation starter for most. Last semester, I took a Media, Religion and Faith course, and my final project was called " Father Son and the Holy Roast: How Coffee has become a religious phenomena," and from that I have recognize even more intense coffee culture connection.

From that study, here's somethings that I have learned:

• "Coffee, as a world commodity, is second only to oil.

• Coffee sacks are usually made of hemp and weigh approximately 60 kilogram when they are full of green coffee beans. It takes over 600,000 beans to fill a coffee sack.

• There are 6,000+ species of the coffee plant split into 25 major types

• Two species dominate commercial production: Arabica (Coffee Arabica) and Robusta (Coffee Canephora)

• World coffee production is split 60% Arabica and 40% Robust

• Coffee statistics show that among coffee drinkers the average consumption in the United States is 3 cups of coffee per day."

Source: http://www.e-importz.com/coffee-facts.php

The fact that coffee is only second to oil shows the huge following of this beverage. I would even argue that coffee brings us together along with social media.

I noticed a few tendencies about me a ndcoffee now that I think any other self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur can relate to:

1. I have become really defensive of my taste in coffee. I used to not care about others or judge them for what they think, but if you are going to give me your opinion of a coffee shop where all you drink is a hot chocolate or a frappe or only a latte, I'm not really going to validate your opinion on coffee itself. It's not that I think I am better, it's I know more.

2. I have taken ownership of places and my drinks. When people tell me "OMG I LOVE LEAF & BEAN" I laugh because you may "like it" but I "own it." I feel like my dedication to the craft of coffee as well as my money has given me a small "right" feel this way, but by all means, keep going.

Coffee culture is a community of people with different "levels" of drinkers:

Level 1: The "I hate coffee and I need you to know how much I hate it." These are the people who drink frappes or ice caps and say that if it "has coffee I am going to cover it up because I hate it." It's like hating coffee is a personality trait for them. Shoutout to the tea drinkers, they might not like coffee, but at least you don't feel bad when you consume it.

Level 2: The "yeah I drink coffee." These are the folks who love Starbucks refreshers before anything, but will occasionally get a latte. Never a large because they could NEVER finish it, but they will post about it on their social media. They probably don't like local coffee shops as much and think Starbucks is literal heaven.

Level 3: "I have a cup every morning to get me through the day." Solely dependent on coffee for caffeine only and not afraid to admit it.

Level 4: "Coffee Addict" The one who will get their coffee from anywhere, but they need to have at least a few cups a day. The type that can drink bad coffee and not realize that they are doing so.

Level 5: "Coffee Snob" The one who went to a local shop once and realize this world has more to offer. They refuse chain coffee unless it is an absolute must. They have taste.

Level 6: "Self-Proclaimed Coffee Connoisseur" The know all of coffee and will tell you all about it.

Level 7: "An actual coffee connoisseur." No explanation needed.

I don't think I need to say where I fall...Coffee has created a community of people to come together (or not.) It has been integrated in my everyday life and conversations and I can't see it going anywhere anytime soon.