Popular Hot Drinks Around the World
Tea and coffee are among the most popular hot and cold drinks in the world. In this article, we take a look at how people from different countries enjoy these two delicious drinks, their origins and the differences between cultures.
Tea
Drinking tea was first introduced in China, where people placed leaves in hot water to create a soothing drink. There are many different types of tea people drink worldwide. In China, tea is incredibly popular; it's part of the culture and very much a way of life. There are thousands of varieties of tea that grow well in China due to the climate. Japan is another country famed for drinking tea. Japan is home to matcha tea; although this tea is from China, Japan has adopted it and made it popular; it’s used in ceremonies and is very much a part of Japanese culture. Matcha tea is very good for you; it has a high level of antioxidants and helps reduce inflammation in the body. Many people claim matcha tea has healing properties. In India, tea is very popular; they produce and drink high quantities of tea. Chai tea is the most popular type of tea in India. This tea is made with various spices, including nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger. Tea is part of the culture in India; a good host will always offer their guests a cup of tea. Britain is also known for drinking vast amounts of tea; English breakfast tea and earl grey are popular types of tea in Britain; many British people drink tea on a daily basis and also at celebrations with finger sandwiches and scones.
Coffee
Like tea, coffee is a key part of their culture in many countries around the world. Italy is famed for its coffee; espresso coffee is the typical coffee Italians choose to drink throughout the day. Coffee in Italy is very important, and it must be of high quality. America is another country that drinks a large amount of coffee; the culture in America is very different from Italy. Most Americans choose to drink coffee from coffee chains that sell a wide variety of drinks, some very sweet and milky, others stronger. Most American coffee shops will use a coffee machine to produce a huge selection of coffee-based drinks. Drip coffee is also an American tradition, often still found in roadside cafes. One prime example of the difference between American and Italian coffee cultures is the invention of the Americano. Americans invented the americano when invading Italy during world war II because Italian espresso was considered too strong for the American palette. They watered down the espresso to create the americano, similar to the drip coffee they were used to back in America. Coffee is also a key part of the culture in France; they invented the french-press, a rich-tasting coffee that keeps all of the oils within the drink. A french-press uses a metal filter that doesn’t filter out any oils. This coffee is very rich and has a strong flavour. In France, coffee is regularly drunk during or before breakfast and enjoyed as part of a social occasion throughout the day with friends and family.
Tea and coffee are enjoyed daily in almost every corner of the world. For some cultures, tea and coffee provide the perfect quick hit of caffeine to get people going for the day. In other countries and cultures, tea or coffee holds more significance. Both drinks are often an important part of cultural festivities or enjoyed with family and friends as part of a celebration or spending time together catching up. If you visit another country, it’s always a good idea to go online and take the time to do some research into the culture and practices of that country. It will help you to understand and enjoy your trip even further. It can also prevent you from ordering the wrong type of drink or saying something that might offend someone. What might be a normal practice in your country could be offensive in other areas of the world; educating yourself is the best way to become more culturally aware and expand your knowledge about other countries.
Post a comment