Coffee Houses Are Great Gathering Places For Coffee Lovers
Human beings are sociable creatures and enjoy somewhere warm and dry to gather. Coffee houses are the ideal spot to meet up with friends before going out on the town or to take a breather from shopping or work. It’s a sad fact however, that independently run businesses are a dying breed. Most of these houses are international chains now, such as Starbucks. Some people like a chain because they know precisely what to expect but it makes most main streets look the same.
Also most individuals look around for the best coffee makers for their in home use, to save money each morning. This puts a dent on the business of coffee houses in general as they are losing out on potential customers. Over time this will cause some to go out of business.
Tea is the beverage that is likely associated with the English but coffee houses were very commonplace in 18th century London. Coffee was considered the modern, exotic beverage and the intellectual upperclass of the capital would get together to discuss the affairs of the day over their imported brew. Later, in the 1950s, they would become the starting point for rock performers like Tommy Steele and Cliff Richard.
In the 1960s of New York and San Francisco, bearded folk singers and beat poets frequented the coffee houses, all aspiring to be the next Allen Gingsberg. Even in modern times, poetry recitals and coffee bars seem to go together. The pavement cafes found in Paris have a long literary tradition, home to many a tormented and poverty stricken author.
Coffee is not the basic drink it once was. The choice of beverages available can be bewildering. Even more so, the many coffee maker ratings that are available can boggle the mind. Coffee houses sell latte, espresso, cappuccino and a wonderful mixture of coffee and chocolate called mocha. Customers can shake chocolate or cinnamon on the top. There is also a vast selection of muffins including chocolate chip, blueberry, lemon or cherry. They also sell sandwiches with ever more elaborate fillings. It is difficult sometimes, to get a standard cheese and tomato roll but undoubtedly easy to order a ham with rocket and melted stilton.
It’s become more relaxing to browse in a bookstore, with many of them opening up little coffee houses within the stores. Some stores allow customers to look through the books while sampling their coffee.