The Evolution of Coffee Drinking from the 60’s to Now

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world, and people have been drinking it for centuries. The way in which coffee is consumed has evolved over time, from being a simple cup of coffee to a caffeinated art form. In the 60’s, coffee drinking was a simple ritual with limited options, but now there are countless ways to enjoy this delicious beverage. In this blog post, we’ll explore the changes in the way coffee is consumed today and how it has evolved from the 60’s.

In the 60’s, coffee drinking was mostly done at home, and there were only a few options for making coffee. People would either use a percolator or drip coffee maker to produce a basic cup of coffee. There was no such thing as a Starbucks or barista to provide complex and specialized coffee drinks. Even the coffee shops of the time were more like diners than anything else, and the baristas would brew coffee and pour it into a basic ceramic mug. This age of coffee consumption was all about a hot, steaming cup of coffee that was comforting and enjoyable.

Today, the coffee industry has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry, and the options available to coffee drinkers have become quite complex. There’s everything from pour-over coffee, cold-brew coffee, espresso, and lattes, to name a few. The rise of Starbucks and other coffee chains has created a coffee culture where people come for the experience and not just the coffee itself. The baristas of today are coffee artists, carefully crafting specialty drinks with intricate designs, and flavors that transport the consumer with just one sip.

In the 60’s, coffee was straightforward, with no concept of fair-trade coffee or organic coffee. People drank coffee to simply enjoy it without much thought or knowledge of where the beans came from or if they were ethically sourced. But today, many coffee companies have shifted their focus towards sustainability, organics, and fair trade, giving consumers a conscious choice when it comes to the coffee they drink.

The way coffee is consumed has also shifted from being solely enjoyed at home to becoming a social event. Cafes and coffee shops have now become the preferred hangout spot. The rise of coffee in social culture has led to coffee shops becoming places for people to work, study, and hang out with friends. Coffee shops have become more about the experience and atmosphere than the actual coffee itself.

Coffee drinking has come a long way since the 60’s. The industry has evolved into a culture where people come for the experience and not just a hot beverage. The rise of coffee shops and chains has created a social and cultural experience, separate from pure coffee consumption. With the focus on ethical and sustainable coffee, consumers are now educated on the topic, with a conscious choice of what coffee they enjoy. Overall, the evolution of coffee shows that even the simplest of things can turn into a complex and beautiful form of art.

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Choosing The Best Coffee to Drink Before Bedtime 

We all know the feeling of being up late, unable to sleep. And while you may think that a cup of coffee is the last thing to do before bed, it can actually be beneficial. To get the best out of your late night coffee, it’s important to choose the right type and brewing method for optimal restful sleep. Let’s look at why and how you should have coffee before bed, and what types are best suited for this purpose. 

Why Have Coffee Before Bed? 

Caffeine is notorious for keeping people awake, so why would drinking coffee before bed be beneficial? It turns out that caffeine can help improve alertness during the day when consumed in moderation. This means that having a cup of joe in the evening hours can help with alertness during activities like studying or working late into the night. A moderate dose of caffeine can also increase energy levels throughout the following day as well. 

What Type Of Coffee Is Best? 

It’s important to keep in mind that not all coffees are created equal when it comes to drinking before bedtime. Generally speaking, coffees with high acidity and bitterness should be avoided because they can upset your stomach and lead to poor digestion that could interfere with sleep quality. Instead, opt for low-acid beans such as Arabica varieties from Central America or lighter roasts from Indonesia or Ethiopia. Coffees brewed using pour-over methods such as Chemex or Hario V60 are ideal because they bring out more subtle flavors without adding too much acidity or bitterness into your cup. 

Coffee Shop Alternatives 

If you find yourself wanting a late night pick-me-up, avoid the urge to rush out to the nearest coffee shop. Many commercial coffees contain additives and sugar that can disrupt your sleep even more than caffeine alone. Instead, opt for an alternative such as decaffeinated or herbal tea. Decaffeinated teas often still contain trace amounts of caffeine and offer benefits like antioxidants which can help calm you down and relax into restful sleep. Herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free, but many have calming properties which can help relax your body and mind for a good night’s sleep. 

Cold Brewed Coffee 

If you’re looking for something with more flavor than tea, cold brewed coffee could be the answer. Cold brewing involves steeping ground coffee beans in cold water over a long period of time, usually 8-12 hours. This process produces lower acidity levels in the resulting beverage which makes it easier on digestion and less likely to disrupt your slumber later on in the evening. Cold brew also contains less caffeine than regular hot brewed coffee making it ideal for those who prefer their late night libations with fewer jitters.  

Decaf Coffee 

If you’re sensitive to caffeine or just don’t want any late-night stimulation at all, then decaf might be the way to go for you. Decaffeinated coffees typically contain very small amounts of caffeine—usually between 0-7 milligrams per cup—so they won’t keep you up all night long like regular coffees will. Plus, because decaf still contains some caffeine, it can help relax your muscles and make your pre-bedtime routine more enjoyable instead of being a chore. 

Herbal Teas 

If even decaf is too much for you, then try drinking herbal teas instead. Herbal teas are caffeine free and many have calming effects that can help prepare your body for sleep time. Many herbal teas also have additional benefits like aiding digestion or increasing relaxation; chamomile tea is especially popular as a pre-bedtime beverage due to its mild sedative properties. So if you’re looking for something that won’t keep you awake but still provides soothing comfort before going to bed, then herbal tea might be just what you need. 

In conclusion, having a cup of coffee late in the evening isn’t necessarily a bad thing if done correctly. Choosing the right type of coffee and brewing method is key in order to ensure a good night’s rest without sacrificing energy levels during activities like studying or working late into the night. By selecting low-acid beans from Central America and brewing them using pour-over methods like Chemex or Hario V60, you’ll get an enjoyable cup of joe without fretting about any negative effects on your sleep quality.

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Everything you need to know about coffee, from a 1961 perspective

Some people look at coffee and think that little has changed in the last 40+ years. Then, you see this video and remember how really different ‘coffee’ and the preparation of coffee was back in the early 60s. People thought of why they drank coffee differently. They had a different persecutive on what made a ‘good cup of coffee’. And one of the biggest differences is how they made their coffee. We have actually spent the last few years collecting many of the methods they show here, even the unique and very fun containers for the process to be proper. Whether you were drinking coffee in 1961 or even born then, this is a fun video to have an appreciation for where we are now. Now, with little pucks of processed ground beans, we are waiting forever as the machine does it’s thing in less than two minutes.

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