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Climbing Coffee Craze
Coffee has been around for centuries. It should come as no surprise that billions of people around the world indulge in it. In 1995, coffee was proclaimed to be the most popular beverage having been consumed as much as no less than 400 billion cups yearly. However, today, in our modern times, there has been a significant rise in the number of cafés and coffee shops, both of which are noted for their own spins on the coffee drink.
What is likely the most evident sign of coffee’s rise to popularity in the 21st century was during the early 2010s when the geeky and “not-like-the-others” lifestyles were in trend, to which the presence of coffee was highly tied. Or maybe it is due to the rise of Starbucks in pop culture, but let us not get into that, we can talk about that coffee shop chain once they realize being supporters of the Palestinian genocide is not exactly excusable.
During the lockdown that happened at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, plenty of physical establishments, no matter how big or small, did not have any chance but to close down due to safety precautions. With that, the majority of the human population was strictly advised to live within the comfort of their own homes. However, the lack of the ability to physically go to coffee shops or cafés to purchase coffee drinks did not lead to the waning of the people’s love for coffee. Remember when the dalgona coffee of South Korean origin went viral? Anyway, with this said, it should not be shocking to see the resurgence of in-person cafés and coffee shops now that the pandemic’s regulations have been lifted.
Photo Via: Eunoia Layout Artists
Maybe it is a genuine love for coffee, or it could be that it is the people’s unwitting need for a third place, maybe it is both! Ray Oldenburg, an American sociologist, came up with the concept of the “third place” in the 1980s in his book The Good and Great Place. Essentially, Oldenburg stated that humans have always had a place that is not home nor work where they can jump-start human connection and community building, which he coined as the “third place.” Third places take many forms — it could be in the form of a library, a salon, and, you guessed it, cafés and coffee shops! Going back in time, third places have always existed all the way back to the Age of Enlightenment when agoras of Ancient Greece and, oddly enough, coffeehouses of Europe were thriving. So, in a sense, maybe the reason why coffee is such a popular drink is because of its historical and close ties to community promotion.
In a UNESCO article written by Karen Christensen and Ray Oldenburg himself back in March of 2022, third places have seven distinct characteristics. First, it is a neutral ground — it welcomes everyone and is not exclusive. Second, a third place is unconstructed — there is not a strict schedule of when people can come in and go. Third, it is not expensive — a characteristic of a third place that is a bit off today because of inflation. Fourth, third places are places of conversation. Fifth, they are more or less a walking distance from one’s home. Sixth, a third place has regulars, however, newcomers and strangers are more than welcome. Lastly, third places are lighthearted environments that run on people’s chatter.
In our very own city, Cotabato City, there are plenty of cafés and coffee shops that have risen to local popularity, both new and those that have just reinvigorated their images. The Cotabato City cafés and coffee shop staples include Infinitea, Qahua, Bos Coffee, and Kape ni Bapa Tembong. On the other hand, newly introduced but immediately favored cafés and coffee shops in the city include Overdose, Don Macchiatos, Tagpuan, and Bien’s Café. It is always a good thing to support local businesses, so entertaining those who run certain business spheres of one’s community is also always a good thing.
Category: Feature | By Yvan Gilayo | June 26, 2024
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