While sake and tea are the drinks most commonly associated with Japan, the country is actually one of the largest consumers of coffee in the world. So when international travel is permitted again, what could a discerning coffee lover expect to find in the Land of the Rising Sun?
Drinking Coffee in Japan
Thanks to its famous work ethic, people in Japan have some of the longest working hours in the world, with some employees regularly working 80 hours of overtime per month. However, steps are now being taken to shorten the working week and this has had a profound impact on the country's coffee culture, with drinkers falling into one of two categories: those who drink in a hurry and those who sit and savour every last drop.
For those with time to relax, coffee is typically prepared in one of three ways: from an espresso machine, using the siphon method or using a coffee dripper.
Siphon method
While espresso coffee is much the same the world over, the siphon method is relatively unknown outside of Asia. Invented in the nineteenth century, it uses a vessel with an upper and a lower chamber. The lower chamber is filled with water while coffee grounds are prepared and placed in the upper chamber. The vessel is then placed on a hot surface, bringing the water to a boil and producing steam which forces hot water into the upper chamber, where it mixes with the ground coffee. The vessel is then removed from the heat and, as it cools, the brewed coffee is pulled back down into the lower chamber through a filter in the upper chamber.
Coffee dripper
A coffee dripper, on the other hand, is a type of pour-over coffee maker. Resembling an ordinary mug with a distinctive wide base and a hole in the bottom, coffee drippers are placed on top of an empty coffee pot and filled with a filter and ground coffee beans. Hot water is then poured slowly over the beans using a long-necked kettle, leaving a fresh batch of incredibly flavourful hot coffee in the pot below. Although there are many different types of coffee dripper, the Japanese Hario V60 is the go-to brand for coffee connoisseurs the world over, thanks to its sturdy design and wide range of sizes.
The siphon and dripper methods are particularly popular among coffee fans because they allow the flavour and strength of each batch to be brewed to their personal preference. However, it can take as long as ten minutes to brew the perfect cup using these methods, so time and patience are required.
Canned
For those in a hurry, Japanese coffee is usually enjoyed either from a can or an automated machine in one of the country's many convenience stores.
Invented in the 1960s, canned coffee is available hot or cold from the almost-five million vending machines populating Japan's streets, making it the go-to method for people on the way to work or rushing for an appointment. Black coffee and sweetened white coffee with milk are the two most popular types of canned coffee, while seasonal coffees are also popular.
Cold-brew and iced
Cold-brew coffee - made by infusing ground coffee in cold water for several hours - and iced coffee - hot coffee served over ice - are also Japanese favourites. For those on the lookout for something quirkier, Japan's thriving latte art industry - where baristas create incredible designs in latte foam - needs to be seen to be believed!
Japanese Coffee Shops
One of the most popular types of Japanese coffee shops is the kissaten, or 'tea-drinking shop'. Quieter alternatives to traditional cafes, which sell alcohol and are often busy and loud, kissaten became popular gathering places for intellectuals and academics. Today, they are typically filled with people enjoying coffee at a leisurely pace and staffed by baristas who treat coffee making as a skill akin to brewing craft beer or producing fine wine.
Japanese Coffee Beans
Most Japanese coffee shops offer a large selection of beans for customers to choose between, with speciality coffees and blends from all over the world easily available. Better still, the selection changes regularly, so customers can experience a different brew every time they visit.
The Service Culture
Japan is world-renowned for its service culture and its coffee shops are no different. Delicious coffee is served in eye-catching mugs from beautifully presented trays carried by friendly, knowledgeable and impeccably dressed staff. The perfect coffee experience.
However you like your coffee, there are always new ways to experience it. Make a booking with your nearest Cafe2U van here and find a new blend to love from our range of quality coffees.