It's a paradox, but for takeaway coffee to become a trendy trend, it first had to teach people to drink it in coffee shops.
Hygiene, Forbidden and Suburban Life Takeaway Coffee Culture Has Begun
It all started with a paper cup. In early 20th century America, pillars of water stood on the streets with a metal trophy attached to them. Drinking water was free, which followed the entrepreneurs Hugh Moore and Lawrence Luellen, who were going to do business with the soda machines. Paper cups were the solution that allowed people to buy water instead of drinking it for free. It began to be positioned as a hygienic and safe way to freshen up, as opposed to the public cup from the colon. And things started right away.
Coffee was incorporated into paper cups a little later, during Prohibition. A replacement for banned drinks was needed - and a real coffee boom began in America, making coffee selling a profitable (and legal!) business. In the late '40s, marketers to support the coffee industry started a coffee break tradition that went with a boom at big companies. A few years later, coffee makers with paper cups began to appear in offices and business centers.
As time went on, as suburbs grew, the average American's commute to work got longer, and life became an endless run. Catching up with this trend, 7-Eleven became the first company to sell fresh coffee in 1964. Of course, in paper cups.
From a home coffee shop idea to coffee trending
7-Eleven popularized takeaway coffee, but it wasn't fashionable yet. It was a requirement dictated by the rhythm of the big city, so different companies competed to improve the functionality of the process. The main focus was on the ergonomics of the glasses: making them more comfortable to keep the temperature and milk foam, and not spill the precious beverage if you drink it while running.
Coffee has changed not only the culture, but the entire coffee world.
Increased coffee consumption. Coffee lovers have an extra reason to have a glass of their favorite beverage on the go. Thanks to syrups, additives and a wide range in general, even those who usually prefer tea have started to drink coffee in cups.
The approach to organizing the restaurant business has changed. The popularity of coffeehouses came in the 90s. There you can not only drink coffee, but also have a hearty lunch: Coffee shops have become an intermediate link between cheap fast food and more expensive restaurants. However, the format of the small coffee corners is now more popular - they require less space, less workers and are more durable in times of crisis. This has become especially clear in a series of economic crises in recent years: While the traffic of full-time coffee shops has decreased, more and more coffee-to-go formats have been opened.
Particular attention was paid to environmental problems. The issue of fake ecological paper cups has long been raised: they are not recyclable, since the cardboard is covered with a polypropylene film so that it can withstand the temperature of the drink. It is impossible to pull out before disposal, meaning it cannot be recycled like paper. In addition, at the seams, cardboard comes into contact with the beverage, so it is not safe to use recycled materials. As a result, trees are cut down for glass production. Coffee companies are trying to solve this problem with removable plastic blocks, cornstarch cups, and even special edible wafer cups. However, the easiest way not to harm nature is to use a reusable thermal mug.
Practical coffee is a great format for busy people. A glass of hot drink helps cheer you up on the go, warms you up on winter walks and adds a special flair to the most ordinary day.
But takeaway coffee culture is more of an environment. Who has not posted mugs with personalized autographs or beautiful pictures from a walk on social networks? In addition, instant coffee has become a measure of the cost of all products: goods and services are offered to us “for the price of a cappuccino”.
Let's go back to the familiar concept: coffee is first and foremost a beverage. The first and best thing you can do is get a thermal mug at any cafe where you can easily put your Americano or cappuccino, and in some places they even give you a discount for your environmental awareness.
It's helpful to set a limit on coffee for yourself, because you're drinking too much caffeine out of boredom or out of habit—walking, waiting for the bus, or at the gas station. By the way, it doesn't hurt to count calories either: Many people like sweet drinks that just seem harmless in glasses like a rack or moccachino. Think about how many servings of coffee you really need per day. A morning cup may be enough.