Coffee Houses: Then and Now

When you want to go to exchange news, share views and know what the other person thinks, you go to a coffee shop. It has been like that then and now. Coffee shops had been places of learning, of making business deals, scientific, literary, political, economic discussions and even, well gossip.

In the earlier point of its history, the popularity of coffee houses were such that ideas born from there has been a source of political forums and discussions to the point that at times, kings and nobility makes it a source where they can have a pulse of public opinion.

During the 17th century when coffee was introduced to Europe, it also followed the same pattern as most coffee houses around the world. It almost immediately became a venue for people to congregate, exchange views, write poems, plays and, political testaments, conduct business transactions, cultural exchange and often, to have a quiet time just reading. In those earlier days too when were the were no postal addresses the popularity of coffee shop being the hang out where most people congregate has also served as a mailing address.

A typical coffeehouse shares a cross characteristic of a bar and a restaurant. Only, a coffeehouse focuses on serving coffee, tea and snacks. In some countries though, a coffeehouse does, aside from bakery products, serve hot meals, deserts, sandwiches, soups, alcohol and sometimes cannabis.

Today, coffeehouses continue the tradition set by coffeehouses then. It still remains to be a very popular venue for people who would want relaxed and subdued atmospheres where they can talk, read, catch up on the day’s event, meet with people and have excellent quality coffee. This is evidenced by popular coffeehouses with franchises around the globe such as Starbucks, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Peet’s, The Second Cup and the Coffee Bean.

Depending on the country and locality, coffeehouses have adopted variations.

In the United States, coffeehouses or a Café may offer a variety of coffee styles, hot chocolate and tea served also with light snack while others serves full menus. Alcoholic beverages may also be served.

Coffeehouses in France almost always serve alcoholic drinks. Like most café anywhere in the world it serves light snacks. Other coffeehouses may have a restaurant section where the guest could be served full menus. The popularity of Cafés in France particularly Paris, gave way to subtle coffeehouse variations like the Brasserie where typically single dish meals are served and the Bistro.

The café experience in Europe spawned other variants of coffeehouses around the world. These coffeehouses allow kerb side seating and other outdoor seating like the side walk, pavement or terraces, usually clustered along certain streets and operated by private local establishments that could very nearly look like parties especially during weekends.

This patio coffeehouses provides more open public spaces that are preferred by customers wanting an airy and very casual atmosphere for relaxation and talk.

Not so long ago however, a new addition to the coffeehouse variant is its most modern equivalent, the Internet café.

Internet cafes may not look like your typical coffeehouse like the bistro, brasserie, cafeteria and the coffee chain establishments but it certainly shares the same basic characteristics. Coffee, tea and chocolate are served together with lights snacks and talk. The talk though is done through Internet.

It may or may not replace the traditional coffee shops but just the same, Internet cafes are a hub for political exchange, learning, journalistic, literary and commercial enterprise. Coffee shops then and now? Only the styles differed, but on the side where it matters most, nothing has really changed.

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