Café y Sociedad: De los Cafés Literarios del Siglo XIX a la Cultura Barista Actual

Coffee and Society: From the Literary Cafés of the 19th Century to Today's Barista Culture

How coffee shops have witnessed and been protagonists of great cultural changes.

Coffee is not just a drink; it is a meeting point that has woven stories, ideas and cultural movements throughout the centuries. In the 19th century, Europe’s literary cafés became epicentres of creativity and intellectual revolution. Places such as the Café Procope in Paris, frequented by Voltaire and Rousseau, or the Café Central in Vienna, where Freud and Trotsky spent long hours, marked an era of artistic and political effervescence.

In the 20th century, coffee culture evolved with the emergence of large chains in the United States, popularizing the concept of the “third place”: a space between home and work where people could socialize, study or simply unwind. In parallel, barista culture emerged, which brought back the spotlight to the quality and artistry behind each cup. Today, coffee is celebrated not only for its flavor, but also as a sensory experience that unites tradition and innovation.

According to legend, after the Battle of Vienna in 1683, the Viennese learned how to brew coffee from sacks of beans left behind by the Ottomans. This moment is said to have marked the beginning of the iconic Viennese coffee houses, where classical music and the aroma of coffee mingle with fascinating stories.

At God Save The Coffee, we believe that every cup tells a story. That's why we select coffees that reflect the best of this rich tradition, so that you can enjoy not just a drink, but a connection to centuries of coffee culture.

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