Historical View of the English & Coffee Drinking Habits
Coffee consumption has been an important part of English culture since the 17th century. During the late 17th century, coffee first made an appearance in the London coffeehouses, providing a new kind of social outlet as well as stimulating energetic conversations. In 1706, the Oxford English Dictionary lists coffee as a ‘a fermented cup drink’ that is enjoyed in England.
English poet Joseph Addison wrote about the coffee house movement in 1716: ‘Coffee Houses are so many Centres, where all sorts of News is communicated, where everyone meets his Friend and where every Party receives Intelligence.’
Although Addison believed the coffeehouse was, perhaps, the best place to get all the news, some were not so sure. Puritan William Prynne wrote in 1664 that the coffeehouses ‘were the Dens and Cabinets of Vesitigation, wherein Truth is made the sport, and all sober enquiries discouraged and discouraged.’
Either way, coffee proved to have a growing popularity in England between the 16th and 19th centuries, especially as a social accompaniment among the elite. Tea, by comparison, had been a part of the English diet since the 16th century too, albeit with simpler beginnings.
Tea Vs. Coffee in the UK
While coffee has been a part of English culture for centuries, it has never been able to outlast the popularity of tea. Today, the United Kingdom is known around the world as a nation of tea drinkers. According to the United Nations, over 95% of British households purchase tea, whereas only one in three purchase coffee.
In addition to having a more traditional presence in English culture, tea also has a much more benign image than coffee. While coffee is often perceived as having strong stimulating effects, tea is usually hailed for its relaxing qualities and numerous health benefits associated with it. As a result, tea tends to be embraced more enthusiastically when it comes to cultural beverages.
This gap in preferences between the two drinks has created a context where the vast majority of British people are more likely to order a cup of tea instead of coffee. According to the British Coffee Association, Britons drink an average of 70 million cups of tea each day and just 55 million cups of coffee. This discrepancy is even more pronounced when one looks at the sale of pre-prepared beverages, where coffee is barely noticeable.
Therefore, despite its long history, it is clear that coffee generally plays a secondary role compared to tea when it comes to Britons’ preferences. This is evident when looking at how coffee is concocted in Britain. It is made with much less caffeine than a typical shot of espresso or cup of brewed coffee in other parts of the world.
Coffee with a Twist in England
In addition to the prevalence of tea, the English have also developed their own ways of preparing and drinking coffee. Cafe culture, for example, is much less prominent in the United Kingdom than in many other Western countries. Cafes have often been replaced by tea rooms and traditional pubs where tea is served far more often than coffee.
Nevertheless, the English still have their go-to coffee recipes such as lattes, cappuccinos and mochas. These drinks tend to include significantly more milk and sugar than the same drinks found in other countries. Overall, the English have incorporated their own tweaks and preferences to the coffee-drinking process.
At the same time, this does not mean the English do not visit cafes. Popular chains of cafes have been popping up throughout the nation, such as Costa Coffee and Starbucks, providing a more modern context for coffee drinking than before. According to Corvy Barling, a coffee consultant from London, ‘These chains have managed to create an atmosphere in which drinking coffee is an enjoyable experience as opposed to a mere necessity.’
The Trend for Coffee in Britain
The rise of international coffee culture has certainly had a positive effect in the United Kingdom, leading to a general increase in the popularity of the black drink. This has been demonstrated best by the number of specialty coffee shops that have opened in the past couple of years. According to the British Coffee Association, there were around 20,000 independent coffee shops in the United Kingdom in 2018, up from 10,000 in 2008.
Furthermore, a survey conducted by the British Coffee Association in 2018 revealed that 80% of respondents said they drank coffee in the past month, with the same percentage reporting drinking coffee regularly. The survey also revealed that more than 60% of Britons are now more likely to buy coffee from a cafe than from a supermarket.
Coffee consumption in the United Kingdom has also increased due to its status as a healthier alternative to other traditional drinks such as alcohol. While the rate of alcohol consumption has been steadily declining in recent years, the rate of coffee consumption has been steadily increasing.
In addition, the growing popularity of speciality coffee has had a huge impact on the British coffee scene. Speciality coffee has been growing in popularity across the world in recent years, and the UK is no exception.
The Impact of Coffee in Britain
More and more Britons are embracing coffee as a beverage that is not only enjoyable, but also beneficial to one’s health. The recognition of specialty coffee and coffee culture in Britain is a positive sign of a growing acceptance of the coffee culture in the region and has also had a positive effect on the economy. The coffee industry in the UK employs roughly 20,000 people and is estimated to be worth £2.13 billion.
Moreover, this influx of investment and interest has propelled the coffee industry in the UK forward in the past couple of years. The use of high-quality beans, specialised brewing methods and modern technology have enabled coffee shops to create drinks that can rival those found elsewhere in the world.
Coffee culture has been embraced throughout the UK and is showing no signs of slowing down. Coffee is now consumed throughout the day, in almost all social occasions, from weekend brunches to work meetings, and is even being used as a relaxing end to meals.
The Difference Between the UK and Other Coffee Drinking Countries
It is clear that the United Kingdom has flourished as a coffee-drinking nation in recent years. Britain, however, still lags behind its fellow European neighbours in terms of coffee consumption. According to a survey conducted by the British Coffee Association in 2018, the average British citizen drinks 2.2 cups of coffee each day, while the average European consumes 3.2 cups.
This discrepancy reveals an important fact: Britons are nowhere near as passionate about coffee as their counterparts in countries such as Italy, France, or Spain. This might be due to the steep history of tea drinking in Britain or the lack of international coffee chains in the region. It might also be due to the more mild flavour of English coffee, as well as the lower levels of caffeine.
In spite of this, coffee appears to have established itself as an important part of British culture. Coffee is now deeply ingrained in the British lifestyle and its presence will only continue to increase as we move forward. It can be argued that the great history of English coffee has allowed for it to remain relatively popular despite its lower consumption rate compared to other European countries.
Coffee Roasting & Brewing in the UK
The coffee industry in the UK is booming, and this growth has enabled local roasters and baristas to separate themselves from the large coffee chains. Coffee roasting has become more and more popular in the UK, with many roasters experimenting with different blends and brewing methods.
According to a survey conducted by the British Coffee Association in 2018, the number of independent coffee roasters has grown significantly in recent years. A total of 61% of respondents reported that they prefer to buy coffee beans from local independent roasters, as opposed to international brands.
This preference for locally roasted coffee indicates a significant shift in British coffee culture. Rather than just drinking coffee, many now invest in locally roasted coffee beans, creating different blends and crafting unique cups of coffee. This has led to a newfound appreciation of the craft of coffee and has clarified how important coffee culture is to the UK.
The Future of Coffee in the UK
The success of the British coffee industry shows no signs of slowing down, and the future of coffee in the UK appears to be brighter than ever. Experts predict that in the coming years, the market for independent roasters will continue to grow. This will further establish the presence of specialty coffee in the UK and push the industry further forward.
Meanwhile, the number of specialty coffee shops and independent cafes is also expected to grow. Furthermore, big international chains such as Starbucks and Costa Coffee are expected to increase their presence in the UK, with more stores and cafes popping up throughout the nation.
Overall, the rising popularity of coffee culture in the UK is a positive thing. Britons are slowly catching up with their counterparts in other European countries, as coffee increasingly becomes an essential part of the British lifestyle. It may take some time before coffee is embraced with the same passion as in other parts of the world, but it’s clear that the United Kingdom is well on its way.
