Legends are tales that have been told and retold to all those who are willing to listen. At times they are intended to cause fear or panic, other times they are a form of inspiration. Whatever the intended value, legends have been known to alter the mere way a society functions.
The discovery of the coffee bean is no more than a legend, though nothing about it is considered special, inspiring or frightening. A man- an Ethiopian goat herder – merely noticed his goats had extra energy after eating what looked like “red berries.” The tale varies from there to include that of monks and kings.
While we may never know the true origin of the bean, it is widely known that coffee has become deeply-rooted in our behavior, rituals and culture.
The effects of coffee are widely debated. A quick Google search can show major pros and cons in relation to health as a result of regular consumption. No matter the risk, coffee remains one of the most sought-after commodity in the world, second only to oil; and there is no exception at North Idaho College.
A recent poll found that over 80 percent of students drink coffee daily; one-third of which drink one to three cups per day. This can be easily justified with the late-night studying, classes, activities and numerous school events.
Surprisingly, student consumption may be less associated with campus life than initially thought. Half of the students polled said they began drinking coffee between the ages of 12 and 14, for reasons not associated with fatigue. Instead, coffee habits were established as a way to relax, ease migraine pain, or follow trends.
Over the years, coffee has become so easily accessible that consumption no longer requires a reason. It has become more of a lifestyle. A ritual, if you will.
When we think of hot-drink rituals, we may consider the Japanese tea ceremony or “afternoon tea” in London; both are rich in symbolism and history. Here on campus, however, there need not be any formality to drinking a cup of joe. 93 percent of campus coffee drinkers were found to consume it in the morning but only 25 percent of them stay home to do so.
According to the International Coffee Organization, the U.S. is the second-largest coffee importing country behind Europe. The industry is growing at a fast rate and in order to meet consumer demands, coffee shops are getting more creative and drinks are getting, well, specialized. Roughly 60 percent of students visit coffeehouses regularly while over half of them choose shops based on flavor and reputation alone.
By having entertainment and events, coffee shops have become more of a social hub for students to visit anytime, day or night. It’s become a place to work, connect, read or socialize making it easy to spend all day there without spending much money.
It’s no wonder why coffee is so integrated into our culture. It’s universal and gives students whatever they need at the time; whether it is a comfort, a little pick-me-up or the chance to connect with friends.
