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Coffee in Modern Society
Coffee has long been an important part of world culture with the USA being the largest consumers. The UK is catching up and in recent years coffee has gained massively in popularity. This can be witnessed by the mass opening of coffee shop chains like Starbucks. It has been claimed that the massively popular sitcom ‘Friends’, in which the characters frequented a coffee shop known as Central Perk in almost every episode, contributed hugely to the growth of the popularity of the coffee shop. Today the modern coffee shop or café does not just serve coffee; they also provide food and other beverages, internet access and even sometimes live artistic performances.
A woman inviting a man into her home for ‘a cup of coffee’ is usually recognised to have a completely different meaning as to what it seems to be. It is a commonly understood sexual invitation and has been a source of material for many comedians.
The cultivation of coffee has also had economic and negative trade effects on poorer countries. This has been brought to the public’s attention and is now often sold as ‘fair trade’ coffee brands ensuring the farmer gets an appropriate payment for his crops and is also encouraged and educated on environmental protection. This helps us all by ensuring protection of our planet but also that we get that precious ‘cup of joe’ to get us going in the morning!