Happy World Coffee Day! In the Czech Republic, coffee culture is brewing

Whether you savor your cup of coffee as the first morning sip, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a post-lunch ritual, today, you have an extra reason to indulge. It's International Coffee Day, a global celebration of the beloved brew that unites coffee enthusiasts in the Czech Republic and worldwide.

Coffee has woven itself into the daily fabric of Czech life, with a staggering 84 percent of the population embracing it as a regular part of their routine. Local preferences range from barista-made espressos to filter brews, capsules, instant varieties, and nostalgic Turkish coffee (Turecká káva).

According to a recent study by Ipsos, 84 percent of Czechs drink coffee at least once a week, with most opting for a daily cup. Instant coffee, a quick and convenient choice, reigns supreme among Czech coffee lovers, with 60 percent preparing it at least once a week. However, about fifty percent still prefer their coffee made from freshly ground beans.

As reported by Czech Crunch, retailer Datart notes that while capsule coffee makers were once highly sought-after, today, automatic coffee machines dominate the market, comprising approximately 80 percent of sales in this segment. The economy of whole bean coffee is a driving factor, with lower long-term costs compared to capsules.

In the Czech Republic, coffee is a diverse landscape, but many enjoy a nostalgic throwback: Turkish coffee, which shares only its name with the country. Steeped like tea with coarsely ground coffee and water in a kettle on the stovetop (or even an open flame), the style shares more in common with Norway's Kokekaffe.

With sugar or without? According to the Ipsos survey, nearly half of Czechs sweeten their coffee, while one-third refuse to add sugar. Surprisingly, a higher proportion of women and university-educated individuals fall into the "no sugar" camp. Younger individuals are more likely to enjoy their coffee with a hint of sweetness.

Speaking to Czech Crunch, Lumír Františák, Director of the L’OR Professional division at Jacobs Douwe Egberts, notes that global climate change has altered traditional coffee-growing regions. Areas that were once unsuitable or exceedingly challenging for coffee cultivation are now thriving.

International Coffee Organization (ICO) data reveals that the most significant coffee-producing region globally is South America, contributing 48 percent to the world's coffee production. Asia and Oceania follow closely with a combined 29 percent share, while Africa contributes 12 percent to global production.

Encouragingly, coffee production is on the rise this year, with a 1.7 percent increase over the previous year, totaling a staggering 10.28 million tons of coffee. This growth comes as a relief following setbacks in the previous year, mainly due to adverse weather conditions in key coffee-producing regions, including unexpected frost in Brazil and floods in Vietnam.

Europe, including the Czech Republic, is at the forefront of the coffee-loving trend, accounting for 31 percent of global coffee consumption. In the Czech Republic, the average person consumes around 2.4 kilograms of coffee beans per year.

In Prague today, Dutch roaster Man Met Bril Koffie is making a special stop as part of their road trip to promote what's being billed "world's first coffee hotel and residency program." Come meet their team and find out more at Acid Coffee in Holešovice from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.