The Best Places to Travel if You Love Coffee
For many of us, coffee is a necessity. It’s a deeply rooted part of the routine in the morning and throughout the day.
But for those who really, really love coffee, you might be tempted to find the best of the best. For that, you’ll need to travel.
Some places are a coffee lover’s paradise.
Check out these ideas for your next trip to find out what you’ve been missing
1. Seattle, Washington
If you live in the US, you probably know Seattle as the birthplace of Americanized coffee. It’s where Starbucks started, after all!
It’s been a coffee hub since 1971, and now it’s not just Starbucks that you’ll find there. Coffee aficionado’s come in from all over the country.
It might not be the best place to grow coffee beans, but any style of coffee you’re interested in can be found here.
2. Hawaii
Kona coffee is well known throughout the world, and for a good reason.
The islands of Hawaii are the biggest coffee producers in the US, and produce around 11 million pounds of coffee cherries in a year. If you want to get a fresh roast and enjoy the seaside, you won’t get closer than this island state.
Since most of the soil on the islands is volcanic, it’s incredibly rich in all the nutrients the plants need to grow. This makes them grow healthy, abundantly and rich in flavor!
Read Next: The Ultimate Travel Guide To Maui: Where To Eat, Where To Stay, What To Do
3. Italy
Italy, known for its romance and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, is also a hotspot for coffee.
This isn’t the traditional American black roast though. Here, you’ll get expresso and cappuccino instead, and it’s certainly a welcome change!
For Italians, coffee means a chance to socialize, so it’s cheap and available pretty much everywhere. However, unlike American coffee shops, it’s often drunk in one swig, standing up.
Patrons still happily hang out and talk, but coffee is expected to be drunk quickly, not nursed. The entire coffee culture is different, so make sure you do some research before going!
Read Next: How To Spend A Day In Capri, Italy
4. Columbia
Most of the coffee produced for global consumption comes from South America. The climate is just right for making those beautiful red cherries, which don’t develop their distinctive coffee flavor until after roasting.
While most of the coffee production is done on big farms, the habit has spread to individuals as well.
While Americans may find themselves planting private vegetable gardens, Columbians are planting their own coffee. This means that traveling around the country to sample different coffees will be more of an adventure than just trekking down to the local coffee shop!
5. Nicaragua
Another South American country that’s heavily into coffee production, Nicaragua separates its self from Columbia by producing some of the best coffee in the world.
If you’re from the States, you might be in for a surprise. The US didn’t trade with Nicaragua during the Cold War, which means they missed out on their delicious coffee for a long, long time.
It’s only recently started to become reintroduced to the US, so a trip to this country might have your taste buds in a tizzy!
6. Tanzania
South America isn’t the only continent that can grow coffee. Africa has its own take on the beans, and it’s probably not something you’ve experienced before!
Coffee in Tanzania is known worldwide because it’s the only place you can get coffee that has this unique taste. Instead of the usual rich, black, roasted flavor, this coffee tastes almost like berries instead of a roast.
The difference is amazing, and the taste is entirely new to US coffee drinkers. It’s bright and clean, and the atmosphere around the product is one of joy and companionship. Don’t be surprised if you never want to leave!
7. Japan
Japan probably isn’t the first place you think of when you’re considering coffee. The Japanese also aren’t the biggest producers of coffee, but they have completely reinvented coffee culture!
Japan, despite its small landmass, is now the third largest importer of coffee. They’re drinking a lot of it over there!
And the country is rife with small, local businesses that roast and make their own coffees, each one with a different take on it. Combine the traditional Japanese take on tea with the more modern inventiveness of coffee, and you’ll find yourself in a whole new kind of world!
Where Will You Visit First?
Coffee can be much more than a morning habit.
It can be a way of life, a new option for old traditions, a reason to socialize and even a culture in its own right.
Taking the time to travel around and seeing what it means to others is a great way to learn more about it, and to gain more meaning from it in your own life.