According to Stuart Eunson, managing director of Arabica Coffee Roasters, “In 1994, Beijing taxi drivers didn’t know what coffee was.” Now, 13 years later, tea production has fallen sharply in the country, and China has developed a deep and sophisticated taste for the drink. In fact, the demand for coffee in China is growing at 10% per year — and there’s no end in sight.
While some “credit” the shift from tea to coffee in China to Nestle — which introduced soluble coffee to the country in the 1980s, which was both easy to make and comfortably similar to making tea — other people think it’s a desire by the Chinese to embrace all things Western. For example, one university student claims, “I learned about coffee culture by watching the TV series Friends.” Ugh. Could that BE any sadder?
However, other people think China has grabbed onto coffee culture and made it its own. These people argue that Chinese coffee lovers pay more attention to “presentation” than Westerners — demonstrated by their love for elaborate latte art; their fondness for siphon pots; and their emphasis on a “fresh cup” (as opposed to Westerners’ always-brewing 10-cup behemoths).
In any event, the “take-away message” is that, despite the Chinese backlash against western coffee houses showing up in ancient Chinese locations, if you love your Cuppa Joe, and you’re in China, you’re going to be able to find it.
[Photo: tonx]