How Coffee Defined Our Culture

The impact coffee has had on American culture cannot be understated. In fact, its effect on the entire world has been massive. It’s one of the most popular drinks in the world, and is the second-most highly traded commodity in the export business, outside of oil. That’s a pretty massive impact on world economy.

The impact of coffee on our culture goes far beyond how much we love the flavor and the ritual of that morning latte, flat white, café au lait or just basic cuppa joe. It goes beyond the various health benefits coffee offers. It has a direct and potentially positive impact on our very environment. Learn about the relationship between coffee and culture in America, and the effect this relationship has upon our environment and the world.

Coffee and Environment

The relationship between coffee and culture in America goes hand-in-hand with our increasing awareness of the environment. Coffee connoisseurs are increasingly aware and demanding of the right methods for growing coffee and have brand loyalty to certain labels based on their ecologically-responsible growing habits as well as phrases like Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, organic and more.

This is because done properly coffee can actually preserve forest habitats, provide much-needed work for people in impoverished and developing countries, and serve as a renewable resource. Done incorrectly, however, cultivating coffee can clear rainforests, contaminate landscapes with pesticides, poison workers and result in devastated habitats and near-slave-wages.

The Impact of Coffee and Culture

Coffeehouses, which sprung up alongside coffee, have for thousands of years been areas of intellectual exchange and debate, discussion and exchange of ideas. It could be argued that many of the social movements throughout history have grown directly alongside coffee and that without this rich beverage, we wouldn’t have the culture of discussion and debate that we currently do.

Modern coffeehouses throughout the United States are the focus of hot-button debates about corporate personhood and responsibility, about small businesses vs. huge corporations, about globalization, about responsible business practices and ethics. Every time a local independent coffeehouse gets harmed by a big chain opening up right across the street there are outcries and protests, and yet the big chains don’t seem to suffer for it.

The Future of Coffee

Coffee has had a serious impact on coffee and culture, both in the United States and across the world. Since 1670 when Dorothy Jones became the very first American Coffee Trader and through the birth of specialty coffee houses in the 1970s, to the modern eco-awareness debates and well into the future, coffee will continue to have a major impact on who we are, how we view the world, and the way we exchange ideas. And thank goodness for that.

J. Martinez & Company first began offering specialty roast coffees, called “estate” coffees, to customers in 1988, and we continue to brew premium blends for customers today. We are certified Approved Importer of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee by the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica and we’d love to provide our outstanding blends to you. Read about our company, and get in touch with us to place an order today!