Coffee Capital of the World? may be!

Exploring Coffee Culture in Seattle, WA

Coffee Capital of the World? The answer depends on who you ask and if you ask coffee enthusiasts especially around the United States, you’re more likely to hear Seattle, Washington on the Pacific Northwest. Not only is Seattle home to popular coffee chains like Starbucks, but it is also considered as the birthplace of the new wave of specialty coffee movement.

Pic: At National Nordic Museum, Seattle which has lovely Cardoon Coffee inside

Pic: Outside Fonte Coffee Roaster

It’s no secret that Seattle has a love affair with coffee. It has the most coffee places per capita of any American city, and whose inhabitants are often referred to as “Coffeeholics” or “Javaphiles”. This warm, intoxicating happiness elixir seems to be the greatest weapon to battle Seattle’s grey skies and infamous rainy weather.

Coffee became popular in the US back in the 1700’s when tea was highly taxed leading to Boston Tea Party!  But it took couple of centuries more to get where they are now!

The 1960s and ’70s were all about counterculture. Bohemians sought out places where they could gather and discuss changing the world. This surge in demand led to a boom in coffee places all around Seattle.  And that’s also the time when Starbucks started at its original location at Pike Place Market. Of course, Starbucks changed the coffee game and brought in the Café Culture along with mass popular Lattes, Frappes and Frappuccinos ushering in the second wave of coffee.

Pics: Starbucks where it all started

As they began to rapidly expand across the world, Seattle held true to its values which, first associated with hipsters, attached themselves to the grunge culture as the city moved into the ’90s. Remember the iconic Grunge Rock bands – Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Sound Garden, Alice in Chains!

These unaltering values led Seattleites to independent coffee roasters and coffee places, rejecting the increasingly conformist Starbucks.

Even to date, nothing much has changed. People of the Emerald City take to the trends that have evolved from once-hipster values: Ethically sourced, Fair Trade coffee at shops that practice ecological responsibility. The smaller and more local, the better the story gets.

Pic: Storyville Coffee in Pike Place Market

Seattle’s coffee culture has significantly impacted the broader coffee industry, with many of the city’s pioneering roasters and brew masters starting their own successful coffee businesses and influencing the development of the specialty coffee movement. Today, Seattle’s coffee culture remains a beloved and integral part of the city’s identity and a must-experience for coffee lovers worldwide.

Exploring Coffee Culture in Seattle:

If you’re interested in exploring the coffee culture of Seattle, there are plenty of things to see and do. Here’s a guide to some of the top coffee experiences in the city:

1. Go to Pike Place Market

No trip to Seattle is complete without a visit to the historic Pike Place Market, where the oldest Starbucks location can be found. While you’re there, check out some of the other local coffee shops and roasters, such as Storyville Coffee.

2. Sign up for a Coffee Tour

Several companies in Seattle offer guided coffee tours, taking you to some of the city’s best cafes and roasteries. Tours often include tastings, demonstrations, and opportunities to learn about the history and culture of coffee in Seattle.

Pic: Anchor Head Coffee

3. Take part in a Cupping Event

Cupping is the process of evaluating and tasting different coffee beans, and it’s a crucial part of the specialty coffee industry. Many coffee shops and roasters in Seattle offer cupping events, where you can sample a variety of coffees and learn about the unique flavor profiles of each one.

Pic : At Armistice with Roaster in full view

4. Check out Local Roasteries

Seattle has several, including Anchor Head, Kuma, Storyville, Armistice, and Lighthouse Roasters. Many of these roasteries have cafes where you can sample their coffee and learn about their roasting processes.

Pic: Anchor Head Coffee

Pic: Outside National Nordic Museum and Cardoon Coffee

I hope you enjoyed Seattle Coffee scene thru my lens as much as I liked writing this article. To all my amigos in US, a very Happy Thanksgiving weekend and happy holidays with family & friends.

Until we meet next time, Stay Caffeinated .. Arrivederci !