The origins of our love affair with coffee beans ☕
There are three things we take seriously. Cricket, sunscreen and our coffee. Jokes aside, we're practically obsessed with coffee. And with over 75% of Aussies drinking coffee daily, it's no surprise we're known as a nation of coffee snobs. Where did this term originate though? And why are we so particular about our coffee?
In this article, your mates at Uptown Pokies take a big sip from the history book and discover the origins Australian's love affair with coffee beans. Bring the cup to your lips and smell that aroma!
Australian coffee: a snapshot
- Cappuccino and flat white / The most popular coffee types amongst Australians
- 95% / The percentage of independent coffee shops in Oz
- 1.91 kilograms of coffee / The amount of coffee consumed in Australia per person in a year
- 65% / The percentage of Aussies with an at-home coffee machine
- Younger generations (Z , Y) / Prefer to drink coffee in cafes as opposed to at home
The birth of coffee culture in Australia
Australia's passion for coffee can be traced back to the 50s when post-war migrants brought their coffee drinking customs with them. These migrants were predominantly from Italy and Greece, where coffee culture was already well-established.
As the population grew, so did the demand for quality coffee. This led to a wave of Italian-style espresso bars popping up in cities across Australia such as Melbourne. These espresso bars served as social hubs for the Italian community, but soon enough Australians from all walks of life were frequenting these cafes.
Coffee drinking and cafes through the years
While beer might be seen as the beverage of choice in Australia from the 50s up till the 80s, the 90s saw a real shift in the drinking culture. The demand for quality coffee grew immensely and with it came an explosion of cafes.
In fact, the cafe scene is now so deeply ingrained in Australian culture that it's almost impossible to imagine life without it. It's where we hold business meetings, catch up with friends or simply enjoy some time alone with our thoughts.
As testament to this, you can visit practically any town in Australia and almost guarantee you'll find a cosy little cafe serving up top-notch coffee from a far-flung corner of the earth. With a side of avo on sourdough, of course.
Starbucks and the famous 'flat white'
If there's one point that illustrates just how particular Australians are about their coffee, it's the introduction of Starbucks to our shores. In 2000, the American chain opened its first Aus-based store and with it came a fierce backlash from locals.
Starbucks was accused of being too commercialised and not living up to the quality standards set by local cafes. After several years of struggling to gain traction in Australia, the company was forced to close around 70% of its Australian stores. This proved just how much Aussies value their coffee culture… and how much we aren’t willing to compromise on quality.
The famous flat white, which is now served the world over, also proves how seriously we take our coffee. Not quite as milky as a latte, but not as strong and small as an espresso, the flat white is the perfect balance of milk and coffee. And it's a staple in every Aussie cafe.
The impact of coffee on Australian society
While going to the pub to catch up with mates is still a common practice, it seems that more and more people are switching frothy schooners and chardonnays for long blacks and flat whites.
This more or less mirrors the rise of coffee in other parts of the world, and its ability to provide a sense of community and comfort in our busy lives. It's not just about the caffeine boost, it's about taking a moment to enjoy good company and quality coffee. And with Australia being known for its laid-back lifestyle, it's no surprise that we've fully embraced the coffee culture.
Australians and their coffee snobbery abroad
As you can probably imagine, Australians going abroad take their high standards for coffee with them. And while Europe is more or less immune to Aussie coffee snobbery, America is a different story.
The use of instant coffee, Americano-style coffee and pumpkin spice lattes are all seen as major offences in the eyes of an Australian coffee snob. And don't even get us started on the size of their coffee cups.
But let's be honest, once you've tasted the rich, smooth and aromatic coffee that Australian cafes are known for, it's hard to settle for anything less. So next time someone calls us a nation of coffee snobs, just remember that we're simply passionate about our lattes, flat whites and long blacks. Otherwise, you might end up like Starbucks - turfed from our shores!
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