For most coffee consumers, the only way they get to experience the coffee culture of a different region is by getting their hands on single origins or coffee blends.
But the devout coffee enthusiasts? They make entire trips planned around coffee. They want to visit coffee farms, participate in coffee activities, and embrace being a part of the community.
Coffee tourism has a way of changing everything - from the economy of a country to giving you a newfound appreciation for your cup of joe.
Impact on Coffee Community
The biggest difference coffee tourism has is on the lives of people. And we don’t just mean coffee farmers. With the growth of coffee tourism, companies are able to hire more across the board. That leads to more job opportunities, more sources of income, and a better quality of life.
There are so many people involved in the supply chain in different capacities. Coffee tourism encourages them to improve their craft and see the value of their efforts in real time through interactions with coffee consumers.
What’s more, it also helps to preserve traditional farming techniques and the culture of the land. Coffee producers get encouraged to opt for sustainable practices by eco-tourism incentives that further support them.
The connection formed within the community calls for constructive discussions on how to enhance the impact of the industry. Many times, the solutions and ideas actually take form and manifest as a new initiative.
Coffee farmers go from having access to a smaller, local market to coffee buyers from across the world. All in all, there’s a sense of pride that people feel being associated with a highly celebrated industry.
From Daily Habit to Meaningful Ritual
When you order coffee bags online or get a cup to go from a cafe, there’s a limit to how involved you are in the bean-to-cup journey.
Coffee gets relegated to the role of a product we consume that sustains the lifestyle we want.
Most of us may be passive consumers but coffee tourism adds nuance to our experience of coffee. It elevates our travels, and helps us understand just how time-consuming and complex it is to produce coffee.
This knowledge builds empathy for the members of the community. Once you have gone on coffee farm tours, spoken to coffee roasters, and witnessed the functioning of co-ops, you can’t go back to mindlessly consuming coffee.
The beverage serves as a channel for cross-cultural immersion. You find yourself in countries you don’t know much about, learning coffee-related words in their language.
Broadening Your Love For Coffee
Coffee trade has improved significantly over the past century. So much so that in many countries, it is not all that difficult to source certain types of coffee.
You want a Colombian single origin? You’ll most likely find a couple of options. You prefer decaf? Those would be available too.
Coffee tourism works wonders in changing the lens with which you view coffee. It broadens your awareness and love of the brew, especially once you get to know about coffee processing, plantation altitude, growing conditions, and other such factors.
You’ll begin to realise how different coffee beans bring out different flavour notes and aromas.
Eventually, you develop a deeper appreciation for your cup. Many of you would even begin considering swapping supermarket or convenient coffee options for ones that are fairtrade, sustainably grown, and guarantee transparency.
Ways You Can Enjoy Coffee Culture
Even if you don’t want to travel far and wide, there are many ways to explore being a coffee tourist. Join virtual tours and panels. Take a coffee brewing workshop. Volunteer with local coffee organisations and companies.
The activities you can do increase multifold if you’re open to visiting other global regions. While doing your research, consider museums, coffee centres, specialty coffee shops, and more.