THE BEST COUNTRIES In the World for Coffee Culture

The best places in the world for

Coffee Culture

Coffee is an almost universally enjoyed beverage. Each morning, people around the world wake up and make a cup of coffee. It’s become deeply engrained in cultures as diverse as Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Sweden.

But while the basics are the same, coffee culture, and how coffee is brewed, varies greatly around the world. Some places, like Italy, tend to drink coffee on the go, while standing at a counter in a café or gas station. Other countries, like Ethiopia, linger over their coffee, attaching great ceremony and ritual to its consumption. Even the ingredients included and the brewing styles can vary. In Finland, for example, coffee is poured over cheese curds. In Australian and New Zealand, the drink of choice is called a flat white, a variation on a latte.

Here’s a look at the best places in the world for coffee culture, where visitors can experience the wide diversity that comes with brewing and drinking coffee.

Vietnam

Vietnam is the world’s second largest grower of coffee beans. The French brought coffee to Vietnam in 1857, so most Vietnamese coffee is made with darker roasts, as is the preference in France. Vietnam grows primarily robusta coffee, which is known for being high in caffeine and more bitter than arabica. Vietnamese coffee is typically brewed using a phin, a metal cup that sits over a mug and brews coffee slowly, allowing thick, strong coffee to develop. Cà phê đá, coffee with condensed milk is a popular drink, as is cà phê trứng, which is topped with a layer of thick, sweet egg cream.

Ethiopia

As the world’s fifth largest coffee producer, Ethiopia is known for growing nuanced beans that delight coffee nerds seeking single-origin brews. Ethiopia claims to be the native home of coffee—though Yemen also makes that claim. In either case, coffee has existed here for hundreds of years. And it’s brewed and consumed through a traditional coffee ceremony that starts with roasting coffee beans on a flat iron pan over charcoal. The beans are then crushed with a stone block and brewed with cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. There are three rounds of coffee consumed, with the older people drinking first. The entire ceremony can take an hour or two.

Seattle

Blame it on the rain: Seattleites drink more coffee than any other city in the world. Coffee shops are ubiquitous in this city, which is also the home of the Starbucks coffee chain. Seattle borrows its coffee culture from oth-

FAMILY ROOM.

er places around the world. It’s possible to slam espresso like an Italian, try a Vietnamese cà phê trứng, or sit for a coffee ceremony like an Ethiopian. But more often than not, you’ll just find Seattleites hovering over a latte in a café, with a laptop in front of them. Cafes take coffee seriously, pouring single origin brews and making complex foam art.

Sweden

Scandinavians give Seattleites a run for their money when it comes to coffee consumption. Sweden is one of the world’s highest coffee consumers; drinking coffee is a way of life here. It’s often associated with the custom of fika, which loosely translates to “coffee and cake break.” Swedes drink coffee with a sweet treat, on a break from work with colleagues, or with friends at a café. It can take place several times a day—almost the equivalent of a cigarette break. Typical fika consists of coffee and a cinnamon bun.

Italy

Italians have consumed great quantities of coffee since it was introduced in the 1500s. Italians choose their style of coffee drink by the time of day-cappuccino at breakfast, caffè macchiato in the afternoon, and espresso after dinner. Italians don’t get their coffee to go when they order at cafes, instead knocking back a shot of espresso while standing at the bar.

Silver City, New Mexico

Silver City sits in the sunny southwest corner of New Mexico. It’s equal parts Old West heritage and a distinctive arts and entertainment community, packed with a vibrant “small-town” style of living.

The historic downtown is home to dozens of unique and one-of-a-kind galleries and shops and was named one of the 100 Best Art Towns. Historic Downtown Silver City is a hub of art, culture, eateries, and events. The district balances historic era frontier buildings, while also engaging in more contemporary and colorful art forms. The town boasts three historic residential districts immediately adjacent to the historic downtown district.

Downtown, you’ll find many of our murals, retail shops, galleries, studios, theaters, and restaurants. In addition, the Historic District includes the “Big Ditch” now a popular downtown park and one of the entrances to Silver City’s many greenways. Start your visit at the Murray Ryan Visitor Center, 201 N. Hudson Street, and you’ll soon see that there is so much to see and do in Silver City that you may want to stay an extra day!

From town, there are millions of acres of wilderness to explore with the Continental Divide Trail and Boston Hill trail system adjacent to Downtown. Just outside the Town is the Gila Wilderness, more than 3.3 million acres of lakes, camping, biking, fishing, rock climbing. There is literally something for everyone in Silver City.

For a fun drive, consider The Trail of the Mountain Spirits beckons. Go where the spirits of miners, homesteaders, Indians, Spanish explorers, and mountain men have left their marks. Cross the Continental Divide, experience the wild Gila River, walk amongst the ruins of ancients to sense life before history, and hear the sounds of solitude.

Some of the local’s

CATWALK RECREATION AREA

The drive from Silver City to the Catwalk is a scenic trip. Highway 180 curves and rolls along the foothills of the Mogollon Mountains, a sky bound fortress of peaks cut by deep, craggy canyons. Whitewater Canyon is one of them.

CITY OF ROCKS STATE PARK

Formed of volcanic ash welded together 35 million years ago, then sculpted by wind and water into rows of monolithic blocks, these incredible rock formations give City of Rocks its name. Hiking trails, a botanical garden and a public night sky observatory add to this unique destination. A Rocky Vacation: Rock formations like those at the City of Rocks State Park exist in only six other places in the world. Imaginative visitors may see the rock formations as a small city with houses, chimneys, courtyards and streets. Visitors can choose from 62 campsites scattered among the rocks, from which they can hike, bird watch, picnic, bike, take in the interpretive exhibits at the visitor center, explore the park’s botanical garden or star gaze.

Some of the local’s favorites:

GILA CLIFF DWELLINGS

The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument offers a glimpse of the homes and lives of the people of the Mogollon culture who lived there from the 1280’s through the early 1300’s. Containing 533 acres, the monument was established on November 16, 1907. The dwellings are located forty-four miles north of Silver City, New Mexico, on Highway 15.

Surrounded by the Gila National Forest, the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument lies at the edge of the Gila Wilderness, the nation’s first designated wilderness area. This unique area in southwestern New Mexico offers a glimpse of the homes and lives of Indians who lived here from the 100s to 1300.

Land of Lincoln

If Illinois is the “Land of Lincoln,” Springfield is the epicenter. Abraham Lincoln made Springfield his home from 1844 to 1861 before becoming president. Springfield offers a multitude of attractions related to the iconic president, boasting more Lincoln sites than anywhere in the world.

Step into the past and the life of the Lincoln family when you visit the only home the Lincolns ever owned at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. Stroll through the beautiful, historic neighborhood surrounding the home and tour Lincoln’s house for a rare glimpse into the life of Lincoln as a husband, father and neighbor.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is the official library and museum of the 16th U.S. president. Experience pivotal moments in Lincoln’s life and enjoy immersive displays and amazing shows that explore the human costs of slavery and war. View Lincoln and his family through artifacts not found anywhere else in the world. Numerous exhibits explore Lincoln’s life from his boyhood in a Kentucky cabin to his 1860 campaign for President of the United States.

A trip to Springfield is not complete without a visit to the Old State Capitol Historic Site, a reconstruction of the fifth State House. Serving as the State Capitol from 1840-1876 and during the 20th century’s Civil Rights movement, its restorers carefully recreated the building where Lincoln gave his famous “House Divided” speech. Enjoy a self-guided walk through the historic site and visit with staff to learn more unique details about the history of this site.

The Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, designed by famed sculptor, Larkin Mean, is nestled in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Within the walls of this stunning granite monument is the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, his wife, Mary, and three of their four sons. (Lincoln’s oldest son, Robert, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.) At the entrance to the Tomb itself, there is a bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln; visitors from around the world have stopped to rub the nose of the statue for good luck.

Land of Lincoln

Make a stop at the Lincoln Memorial Garden for a truly calming experience. Located on the shores of Lake Springfield and designed by landscape architect, Jens Jensen, this woodland and prairie garden has over five miles of trails that lead you on a journey through the Illinois landscape Lincoln would have known. Depending on the season you visit, you could be surrounded by springtime dogwoods in full bloom, colorful prairie wildflowers of summer, burnished autumn leaves, or snow-covered maple trees bursting with sap. Be sure to visit the Garden’s Nature Center and Split Rail Gift Shop.

Historic Route 66 runs through Springfield and is dotted with many unique stops, including Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum, a classic car restaurant with a themed menu, serving great food and delicious drinks against the backdrop of the Route 66 & Motor Museum. While there, snap a pic with the World’s Largest Outdoor Route 66 Shield!

The Cozy Dog Drive In is a traditional Route 66 diner that became a part of the history of The Mother Road, and the history of Springfield, when, in 1946, inventor Ed Waldmire introduced the “Cozy Dog”-- the famous “hot dog on a stick.” The Waldmire family still makes this delicacy today. Inside the diner, located on Old Route 66 since 1949, you’ll find an amusing selection of Route 66 memorabilia, souvenirs, and delightful treats. Maldaner’s Restaurant is a creative American establishment with a focus on farm-to-table food.

You will dine in a relaxed, semi-formal atmosphere in a historical Springfield building just two blocks from downtown hotels and Lincoln sites. Established in 1884, Maldaner’s is the oldest continually operated restaurant in Springfield on Route 66.

Plan to relax and enjoy one of more than a dozen wineries and breweries in the Springfield area. These locally owned businesses offer the best in craft beer, wines, and delicious noshes in beautiful settings, many with outdoor garden areas, live music, and special events.

Regardless of your interests, Springfield has you covered with a variety of sites, attractions, culinary delights, and a variety of accommodations to meet your travel needs.

We are viewing the world through a different lens. Everything that we were once accustomed to has changed. Travel and hospitality, in particular, came to a grinding halt, but then as the world began to slowly open something interesting happened. In that moment of silence and stillness we realized that we are innately equipped with the ability to adjust no matter the circumstances. We made the necessary changes,

and started new routines and traditions. We simplified. It is no surprise that many people returned to nature and the outdoors for family trips, vacations, and special occasions. The severity of the pandemic forced us to enjoy and appreciate what was in front of our very eyes and all around us every day. This awakening has heightened the appeal for nature-centric activities and destinations.

The Mohicans Treehouse Resort and Wedding Venue fell in a unique category of destinations ideal for couples and families desperately looking to escape the four corners of their homes for a quick, safe, and easy getaway. They are keeping it close to home and choosing secluded locations away from crowds. The property is situated in Knox County, halfway between Cleveland and Columbus in the heart of Ohio’s Mohican Valley and occupies 77 private acres of beautiful indigenous landscape and offers nine state-of-art treehouses, four ground cabins, and two country homes. New projects in development include a glamping tent treehouse, and a 2nd Airstream ground cabin. Knox County is home to one of the largest and arguably most diverse Amish settlements in the world boasting views of natural landscape, scenic countryside, and rolling hills making it one of the most beautiful backdrops of Fall foliage in the country.

The Mohicans Treehouse Resort and Wedding Venue is owned by husband and wife team, Kevin and Laura Mooney whose childhood memories of spending time on the Mohican River and its surrounding woods left an indelible impression. In 2011, they collaborated with Pete Nelson, from Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters on the White Oak and Little Red treehouses. Sustainability is evident throughout the property with repurposed and recycled materials including 100-year old barn siding, reused windows and cabinets, and hand-hewn beams. Vintage elements are complemented by lavish touches, including chandeliers, highend furniture, and luxurious bedding. The Mohicans Wedding Venue is the property’s piece de resistance and one of the most sought-after wedding venues

in the Midwest. The two-story timber structure features barn beams, hardwood flooring, a vast solid oak staircase leading up to an upper level mezzanine with access to a second story outside deck. Inside the main dining area, tables rest under white and crystal chandeliers. Sliding barn shutters and solid pine trusses add to the venue’s rustic charm.

All the treehouses have their own unique signature. Some of the stand-outs include The Nest, a whimsical honeymoon suite with cathedral windows and a massive cedar shingle domed roof. Another favorite is Tin Shed which features a corrugated metal exterior, a full-sized garage door, and a 100-foot extension bridge connected by a steel spiral staircase. Recent additions include Silver Bullet, a renovated 1978 Airstream trailer perched 22 feet off the ground; and The View, a modern treehouse with floor-toceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the surrounding woods.

Treehouse Provisions is The Mohicans’ new virtual kitchen and event tasting center in Cleveland. The restaurant boasts a hearty menu of comfort foods made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and products enhancing the campfire experience. Whether you are looking to cater an event or simply pick up a fantastic meal on your way home from work, visit treehouseprovisions.com for ordering details.

The Mohicans Treehouse Resort and Wedding Venue - themohicans.net