The unique coffee culture in Greece

Walking on the streets of Greece, there are all kinds of cafes around. You can find a unique coffee shop without taking a step or two. This is because coffee is sacred and irreplaceable in the hearts of Greeks. It is not only a simple cup of coffee, but also a symbol and recognition of social identity. Friends who immigrated to Greece hope to better integrate into the local life in Greece, and they can sit in the coffee shop and feel the local coffee culture. According to a survey, the consumption of coffee by Greeks exceeds that of France and Italy, which are famous for their coffee culture, and is almost equal to that of the United States. There are probably two kinds of coffee in Greece: ordinary espresso and Elliniko Kafe. Espresso has only been in Greece for twenty years, but it has only become popular in the last ten years. Its introduction and symbolic significance led to the development of Frappe unique to Greece.

Greeks usually drink two cups of coffee every day: one in the morning or before going to work and the other in the afternoon. Especially for women who stay at home, it is common to meet in a coffee shop for coffee and gossip in the morning. This kind of gathering provides psychological and spiritual support for female friends (just like a sister gathering for afternoon tea). In addition, when visiting a Greek family, the locals will entertain the guests with Greek coffee. The guests must accept it and say something before drinking. Stin Ygia Sas？ I wish you good health. In addition, coffee also plays a very important role in the funeral ceremony. At the funeral, after all the ceremonies are completed, the family members gather at the deceased's home to have coffee and chat. According to the previous research on Greek funerals, the cost of coffee in these occasions is calculated on a per capita basis, and the cost per person is higher than that in coffee shops (when the coffee sold in coffee shops is 1-2 euros, these occasions are about 6 euros per person)!

Because Greece has a unique coffee culture, it has also spawned a unique coffee shop-Kafenios. Cafe plays an important role in the establishment of Greek street and food culture, especially this small cafe, which is the main settlement of the previous generation of male elders. They usually play cards in these small cafes and discuss current affairs, politics, football and so on. All the Greek coffee you drink in these small restaurants has a name? Bouriki? Make coffee in a metal container. Greek coffee is served in a small white cup. This small white cup is thicker than ordinary tea cups (the thickness is a bit like the black and white light milk tea cup of Hong Kong style milk tea). This thickness is to keep the coffee warm for a long time, even if you talk for a while, you are not afraid that the coffee will get cold! Also, this small cup has a wide mouth, which is intended to make more coffee bubbles condense. Tradition can only be tasted in Kafenios? Diplus? Double Greek coffee. I haven't tried it myself in Greece, but I was lucky enough to try the Turkish coffee version. The taste is really a little different. Coffee tastes really slippery!

The significance of Hong Kong-style tea drinking culture is not only to drink tea, but to exchange time with family and friends through drinking tea. Greek coffee culture also has the same symbolic meaning. On holidays and weekend afternoons, Greek relatives and friends get together for coffee. A good coffee party will end with coffee divination. Nowadays, coffee divination is mostly interpreted by grandma and grandma's generation. Although many young people say that they are not superstitious, it is hard to resist when it comes to coffee divination.

The bitterness of Greek coffee makes it difficult to be in two places at once. It represents the requirements and attitudes of the Greeks towards life. A Greek food writer wrote: As a Greek, you don't have to buy expensive ingredients and clothes, but you will definitely use the money to find a cup of coffee! (? You can save money by refusing to buy expensive food or clothes, but as a Greek, you always try to save money for a cup of coffee? ) shows the importance of coffee in Greek culture. Ancient philosophers talked about philosophy in bars, but now they talk about big and small things in cafes. I think they should all be exactly the same.