These guys in the 1930’s did not order a ‘caramel latte’; it was not on the menu at the time – but might they do that today?
The coffee world is ever changing and in recent years globalisation and big brands have brought the buzz of an expanded selection of coffees and drinks into the mainstream.
If the 80’s and 90’s were all about big chains of burgers and fast food; the first two decades of the new millennium have been all about coffee chains and capsule coffee – what else?
This has been a very exciting process which has seen many parts of the world discover espresso coffee and also American style long milk based coffees entered the high street with added syrups, flavours and whipped cream possibly.
You would not have found this in your local konditori 20 years ago!
This exciting innovation also has a down side, which is the struggle of independently owned cafes that due to difficulties in innovating or lower margins than the big chains often were forced to shut down.
So is it the end of independent cafes?
I surely hope not! Family-run businesses offer charm and atmosphere that chains can’t! Even if they instruct their staff to write your name on the cup, smile and wish you a nice day it is still not authentic. It’s about history, community and passion.
In my coffee drinking mission I will explore many different kinds of cafes both old and new to see what they are all about!
What works? What doesn’t? What cool ideas are out there? By the end of this I might not be able to write a recipe of ‘how to make the perfect café’ but I hopefully will be able to give a few good pointers!
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