Coffee house culture in Europe – celebrated leisure and enjoying of delicacies
The coffee established itself first in the Arab world as a popular hot drink. Since the import of coffee in 1647, the consumption of coffee in Europe was further developed into a real cafe culture. The stimulating effect of coffee (Coffea arabica) goes back to the request contained in the beans of the African coffee tree (Rubiaceae) caffeine. Since the year 1700 in the English coffee houses tea was served as well. But with tea was associated, in contrast to the encouraging effect of coffee, more relax and calm. If often distinguishes the attitude of coffee and tea drinkers, both together is the joy most pleasure. The term cafe is first thought most of the Viennese coffee house culture in which literature and stimulating conversation mix to a fertile way. The coffee house culture and the methods of preparation of coffee (and tea) have in many European cities, such as in Paris, London, Madrid, Berlin, Prague, Milan and Lisbon a fascinating diversity. It is reflected in it again the special lifestyle of different nations and people.

Myth Café – Enjoy privacy in public

Parallel to the import of coffee in the 17th century in Europe, the first coffee houses became very popular. They made some competition to the existing restaurants. The first cafe was opened in Vienna in 1685. Typical of the “Silent Vienna Model” is the variety of international and national newspapers and its function as an information exchange and trading center for ideas. The coffee house culture to the “Paris Model” is more strongly determined by background music and the visual arts as well as representatives of romance. The Prague café culture thrives on the coming together of different cultures and nationalities. In many large cities, the coffeehouse or teahouse is an ideal place to retire for a time from the bustle of business life. The coffee house round is also known in Spain (Tertulia) and Greece (coffee shops). In Italy, the coffee house culture is predominantly an espresso culture that is often accompanied by unmistakable exchange of ideas.

Tea – an essential part of the British attitude to life
The English tradition to serve tea in coffee houses was taken over  from a number of European coffee houses. At the beginning of the 17th century, the expensive tea became a status symbol. Today the tea is, as well as the coffee, a part of European Culture. Tea in the strict sense, refers to the infusion of the tea plant Camellia sinensis (formerly known as Thea sinensis). A world-known form of tea drinking is the English “Five o Clock Tea”. The relaxation was associated with the tea as a popular saying “wait and drink tea.” In China, there is a tea house tradition, which is comparable with the European coffee house culture. People meet in the quiet tea ceremony to entertain themselves and relax. There are famous teahouses in London and Paris. A somewhat bizarre variant, the Sicilian “Casa de tè” you will find in Raddusa at the foot of Mount Etna.

High coffee culture and imaginative name of the coffee
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee has been to many Europeans of all ages a magical effect and drinking coffee became  a popular ritual. The coffee is served in Austria in more than forty refinements. The term “Kaffee verkehrt” means, that there is in the cup more milk than coffee. The “Imperial” is a large black coffee, complemented with some warm milk or cream. What makes the “Einspänner” is that the coffee is served in a thick-walled glass with whipped cream and powdered sugar.

Spain – amazing creativity in the invention of coffeenames

In Spain plays the regionality a major role in giving the names of the different coffees. The popular “Café cortado” is a strong coffee, which is added  a little hot milk. In the region of Catalonia the cafe cortado called “Tallat” and in Andalusia people say “cortao”. In Portugal Coffee was appointed as a “pingo” or “pingado”, in Lisbon Coffee is ordered as “garoto”. It is often also drank strong coffee (café solo) and milk coffee (café con leche), which can be ordered cheap at the bar. In Spain coffee takes over a bridging effect of the siesta until early evening. Even refreshing the “Café con hielo” is “(coffee with ice).

Coupled with the savoir vivre of the French – the romantic coffee consumption
Without the famous cup of coffee many couples in France would not have found each other.  The white coffee (cafe au lait) in the large cups without handles, forms, often served with the croissant, the typical french breakfast. In the afternoon the French drink their coffee usually black (café noir). Café Crème is the name for an espresso with milk foam.

Strong coffees in the coffee shops
The Greeks are followers of a strong coffee and a coffee house culture and tradition. Most popular is the strong Greek coffee „Ellinikós“. The ground coffee is heated together with sugar. The iced mocha version of this is “Freddo” called. Becoming increasingly popular is the cafe latte and cappuccino. In many cultures  the common coffee is an expression of hospitality. Professional Coffeemachines for use at home or in the Coffee Shop is offering www.kaffeevollautomaten.net

Italy – the country with an espresso culture
Within Europe, Italians consume  the most of coffee. But for a cozy coffee house atmosphere most Italians are to lively. Italians enjoy their coffee in countless occasions like in bars and on beautiful piazzas in many Italian cities, such as Milan, Trieste, Turin, Venice, Rome and Naples. The water is served with the espresso drink in advance, to cleanse the taste buds and thus to ba able to enjoy the full espresso flavor. For the Italians the throughout Europe popular cappuccino is a coffee variant more for breakfast and is rarely drunk in the afternoon. The “Lungo” is an “extended” espresso with water. The “Café coretto” has a shot of grappa or a similar spirit.

Renaissance of coffee (tea) house culture
A revival of the traditional coffee house culture is currently experiencing in Prague, Vienna and Budapest. In contrast to earlier times, the coffee house culture shaped not purely male and female coffee consumption is no longer caricatured as “coffee gossip”. The coffee (tea) house is a popular meeting place for locals and tourists. The “cyber cafes”, a modern form of the coffee house culture, represent  the interconnection of coffee culture and internet communications. The writer Stefan Zweig described the cafe as “the best training ground for anything new,” which still applies.