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A drink for everyone and for all occasions “Would you like a cup of coffee?” It is most likely Photo / Laura Margarita
one of the most used sentences in Nordic hospitality, shared by Storm, “we almost every day invite
people in for coffee”. In Iceland, Tiú dropar, translated to “ten drops” meaning a small cup of coffee,
is offered by the host to a visitor who is only stopping by for a short time. Likewise, similar custom
in Sweden, Denmark and Norway is called kaffetår, meaning a small drink of coffee.
We can see how coffee is intertwined with Scandinavians’ everyday life. There is always a break
for a thirst for coffee, such as Swedish kaffedags and Icelandic kaffitími. And basically, people drink
coffee all day long. “It is not like the Italians where they drink coffee at specific times during the day,
and they also have their specific coffee type for different times during the day.” said Storm. Moreover,
he points out that there are not many differences from country to country when it comes to Nordic
coffee culture. Coffee is such an integral part of national identity and has well been integrated into
the Nordics’ experience.

In the world’s largest coffee producing nations…

-It is surprising how different ways they are that these largest producers embrace coffee as part
of their national identity.

Brazilians’ “easy” love for coffee If ever a Brewers Cup. On one hand, the taxes generated
country deserved fame for coffee, it would be from exported coffee made up a primary propor-
Brazil. Since it became the world’s biggest coffee tion of state income. On the other hand, the
producer in the 19th century, it has held the coffee price was set by the stock market for a long
Photo / Uta Scholl
position for over 150 years! In the remarkable time and thus there was no incentive for produc-
year of 1906, Brazil contributed over 80% to the ers to work for specialty type.
world’s coffee supply. Today, it is still home of It sounds like coffee is more as an embar-
35% of coffee consumed globally. As released by rassment in Brazil. In Munari’s opinion, it happens
Statista, Brazil, the top coffee producing country, because producing coffee in Brazil is “easy” when
produced around 61.7 million 60 kilogram bags compared to other countries. It is a blessed land
of coffee in 2018. with just fine climate and soil, making it produce
Most of us think it is safe to say that Brazil coffee with no major effort. This can be a problem,
is a nation with vibrant coffee environment. Yet, though. There was no motive to change. Mean-
few people there identify their own diverse na- while, given the illegality of importing coffee,
tional culture with coffee. The fact, however, is most Brazilians had no chance to taste different
that people usually don’t understand coffee and beans from other countries.
they cannot afford the really high-quality goods Coffee is definitely an important part of
either. Specialty coffee in Brazil was known as every Brazilian’s life. It is essential to have a
“exporting kind” for many years. “As I grew up, cup of morning coffee as they wake up, which
I always heard that all the good stuff was export- is called Café da Manhã. The question is, how-
ed and we only had the rest of the production.” ever, people usually do not care much about
said Daniel Munari, owner of Royalty Quality coffee the quality.
Coffee and third-place winner of 2018 Brazil

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