The Mediterranean Coffee Culture vs. North America: Why We Need to Slow Down and Savour the Moment

Sometimes the sights you see in Italy are just enough to make you cry. I'm not talking the grandeur of Colosseum, The Oculus at the Pantheon or the stunning canals of Venice: I'm talking inside of a coffee shop.

On my most recent trip to Italy, I noticed time and time again that even amidst the morning hustle and bustle on the way to work, people would stop into a local cafe, order an espresso at il bar (thank you, Duolingo), enjoy their drink in the present moment, and they were on their way. Did some jealousy kick in as I reflected on my sad tumbler mug I try to take a sip of coffee from at each red light on my way to work? You bet it did. I felt like I had life all wrong in those moments and I longed just to enjoy a freaking coffee like the local Italians around me - am I so wrong for wanting this?

In a fast-paced world where productivity is valued over all and convenience culture is the norm, there’s one simple pleasure that we’ve almost forgotten how to savour: coffee. The way we drink coffee in North America—rushing from one task to the next, gulping it down in disposable cups on the go—is a stark contrast to the leisurely, social rituals surrounding coffee in Mediterranean countries. But maybe it's time to take a step back and ask ourselves: How can we reclaim the art of enjoying a cup of coffee, just as the people of the Mediterranean have been doing for centuries?

Coffee in the Mediterranean: A Ritual, Not a Rush

In Mediterranean countries like Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Spain, coffee is not just a drink; it’s an experience. It’s about taking a moment to pause, connect, and enjoy. For many people, coffee is part of a daily ritual that revolves around slowing down, whether it’s a morning espresso in Italy or an afternoon café visit in Greece. The focus is on quality over quantity. The act of drinking coffee is a form of self-care, a brief respite in the middle of the day where time seems to slow down, even just for a few minutes.

In Italy, an espresso is sipped in small, concentrated doses, never rushed, and never in a to-go cup. Italians often enjoy their coffee right at the bar where they ordered it (pictured above - I look this photo while being uber jealous). In Spain, the leisurely *café con leche* enjoyed in the morning feels like a moment of peace before the day picks up speed. In Greece, the thick, *Greek coffee* served in a small, demitasse cup is a conversation starter, often shared with friends or family. In fact, Greeks often will flip over their cup, wait for the remaining coffee grounds to settle and read the bottom of the coffee cup to tell each other's fortune So yeah, not only are the Greeks slowing down and enjoying their coffee, but they are lingering around the coffee table even longer for a bid on connection and lore. For these cultures, coffee is more than just fuel—it’s a connection to others, a time to pause, and a chance to indulge in the simple pleasures of life.

The North American Coffee Obsession: Productivity Over Pleasure

In contrast, coffee culture in North America has evolved around the demands of a busy, productivity-driven lifestyle. The rush of getting to work, managing a million tasks, and maximizing every minute has turned coffee into a tool for gaining a kick of energy, not an experience. Most people in North America grab their coffee on the go, in large, disposable cups, and chug it down as they head from one meeting to the next, often without ever really *tasting* it.

This obsession with efficiency has infiltrated our daily habits, making it harder to enjoy life’s simpler moments. Coffee, which should be an indulgence and a treat, has become more of a habit—something we consume to fuel us, not to enrich our lives. This shift has led to a disconnect, not just from the experience of drinking coffee, but also from one another. In many places, the ritual of sitting down for a coffee break with a friend has become a rare luxury, replaced by solitary sips at a desk or quick drive-through pit stops.

How We Can Bring the Mediterranean Coffee Culture to North America

While we might not be able to completely change the fast-paced nature of life in North America, we *can* choose to adopt some of the time-honored coffee rituals from Mediterranean cultures. Here are a few simple ways to bring a little European coffee culture into your daily routine:

1. Ditch the To-Go Cup

One of the simplest changes you can make is to stop drinking your coffee out of a disposable cup. Take a moment to sit down with your coffee in a proper cup. A simple ceramic mug or an elegant espresso cup can make all the difference in how you experience your coffee. By removing the pressure of “on-the-go,” you give yourself the gift of time—time to enjoy, reflect, and be present.

2. Slow Down and Savour

In Mediterranean countries, coffee is not something you rush through; it’s something to savour. Whether you prefer a short espresso or a long black coffee, take the time to sit down and enjoy every sip. Let go of the urgency to check your phone, answer emails, or think about your next task. Simply be present with your cup of coffee, and allow the ritual to be a moment of calm in your busy day.

3. Make Coffee a Social Experience

In Greece, it’s common to enjoy coffee with friends or family. Coffee breaks are a time to relax, chat, and connect. So, instead of drinking coffee alone at your desk, invite a friend to join you for a coffee break. Whether it’s at home, at a local café, or even in your backyard, the act of sharing a coffee and having a conversation can make the experience much more meaningful.

4. Practice Mindfulness

Mediterranean coffee culture is rooted in mindfulness—being aware of the moment and appreciating the little things. Try to apply mindfulness to your coffee drinking. When you brew your coffee, take the time to enjoy the aroma, the color, and the texture of the brew. When you take your first sip, savour the flavour. Instead of gulping it down, focus on the act of drinking, noticing how the warmth feels in your hands and how the coffee tastes on your tongue. This simple act of mindfulness can transform your daily coffee routine into something more fulfilling.

5. Create a Ritual

Make coffee a meaningful part of your day by establishing a ritual around it. In many Mediterranean homes, coffee is part of a daily routine—whether it’s after lunch or in the afternoon, a cup of coffee becomes a comforting, anticipated part of life. You can create your own ritual by setting aside a specific time to enjoy your coffee each day. Maybe it’s first thing in the morning, or as a mid-afternoon break. Whatever time you choose, treat it as a sacred pause in your day.

Embrace the Pleasure, Not Just the Productivity

In our rush to be more productive, we’ve lost sight of the simple pleasures that make life truly enjoyable. Coffee doesn’t have to be just another task on your to-do list; it can be an opportunity to reconnect with yourself, with others, and with the world around you. Take a moment to think of how much there is to gain by simply slowing down and enjoying your coffee. I'd argue that the benefits outweigh the perceived productivity gains. By adopting some of the slow, mindful practices from Mediterranean coffee culture, you can begin to reclaim this small but powerful ritual—and find more joy in the everyday moments that make life so special.

So, the next time you reach for your cup of coffee, remember: it’s not just about getting through the day. It’s about slowing down, enjoying the moment, and savouring life’s simple pleasures.