THE GLOBAL DROP

NEW YORK

While this city offers espresso from the “old country” in Italian restaurants, this experience is considered special. There are no coffee customs deeply embedded in the culture here as found elsewhere, and the majority of coffee consumed is done so on the go, in a take away form, mirroring the pace of the New York lifestyle.

OSLO

The Scandinavians are the highest consumers per head of capita in the world, with Norwegians drinking on average 5 cups of coffee a day. While espresso is available in cafes throughout Oslo, filter coffee is popular for domestic use.

PARIS

This city boasts a rich intellectual tradition that has always been associated with the communal cup of coffee, as writers and philosophers spent most of their days surrounded by this enlightened drink in various cafes. Diderot assembled the first Encyclopaedia at a Paris coffeehouse, and Balzac and Sartre spent much time writing, stimulated by this beverage. Nowadays, filter coffee is accompanies baguettes and croissants at breakfast, and an espresso at the local cafe marks the end of lunch or dinner.

AMSTERDAM

Coffee is often taken with sweets and cakes, and socialising is a vital part of the coffee rite for the Dutch, who have a long colonial association with the bean via Indonesia.

NAPLES

This is the traditional home of the espresso, where coffee has been the subject of philosophy and art. There is one coffee bar or tazzulella for every 450 people, and 20mls of black gold in the form of the ristretto is served to clients at varying times of the day by the barista.

ISTANBUL

Turkish coffee, which is similar to the Greek coffee in its preparation, is an ancient way of making coffee. An extremely fine grind is used, and the coffee is boiled in a narrow pot and ready to drink once it froths. Coffee has been long associated with chess playing and discussions in Turkey.

WELLINGTON

This is perhaps the city where New Zealand coffee culture is most evident. Meeting for coffee is an important social occasion during the day, as is the espresso-break in the morning. While Kiwis prefer an espresso-based drink in the cafes, plunger and stovetops are still very popular for domestic use.