Spanish Coffee and Culture

Before plunging into the coffee culture of Spain, it’s important to understand the part they played in the early days of the coffee industry. Spanish ships were actually a key part of the distribution of coffee and were responsible for carrying coffee plants and seeds to remote areas of the world where the plant wasn’t native. Interestingly, despite being key to distributing it, coffee wasn’t native to Spain at all and it came to the country via Turkish Immigrants.

Spain was also crucial in popularising coffee in Central and South America, as many chose to settle in the country and created huge coffee plantations. And, the Spanish growers based in Latin America soon became a huge part of the coffee export industry.

Another interesting fact of the history of Spanish coffee is that during the late 19th century, coffeehouses were a far cry from the casual hotspots you see today. Back then, the local café was a place of status, a sophisticated locale for intellectuals, artists, poets, writers and philosophers. You’d expect buildings draped in luxury, boasting high ceilings, ornate furnishings and an atmosphere more akin to that of fine dining.

Spanish cafés have come a long way since the sombre experience of previous years. Now, they’re lively places, social locations for the locals to get together, socialise and create and nourish friendships. Coffee to go is a rare concept in Spain, and as such, the Café is usually a bustling hotspot in any neighbourhood, filled with chatter and people whiling away their afternoons, watching the world go by whilst munching on delicious pastries and sipping on the country’s wonderful coffees.

There are tonnes of delicious native Spanish coffees, so much so that you could go to a different café or bar each day and never have the same drink twice. Interestingly, unlike other countries, Spanish coffee is named after the amount of milk added, so it’s worth knowing the options out there so you don’t get caught out when ordering.