Walking through the streets of Greece, you are surrounded by a variety of cafes, and you can discover a uniquely distinctive cafe just a few steps away. This is because coffee holds a sacred and irreplaceable position in the hearts of the Greek people; it is not just a simple cup of coffee, but a symbol of social status and identity.Friends immigrating to Greece who wish to better integrate into local life can sit in cafes and experience the local coffee culture.
According to surveys, Greeks consume more coffee than the French and Italians, who are known for their coffee culture, and their consumption is nearly equal to that of Americans. The coffee you can find in Greece is generally divided into two types: the common espresso and traditional Greek coffee (Elliniko Kafe). Espresso has only been in Greece for about twenty years, and it has only become widespread in the last decade. Its introduction and symbolic significance have led to the development of the uniquely Greek Frappe.
Greeks generally drink two cups of coffee each day: one in the morning or before work, and one in the afternoon. Especially for women at home, it is common to meet at cafes in the morning to drink coffee and chat about gossip and news. These gatherings provide psychological and emotional support among female friends (similar to the concept of meeting sisters for afternoon tea). Additionally, when visiting a Greek home, locals will serve guests Greek coffee, and guests must accept it and say "Stin Ygia Sas" (which means: To your good health). Furthermore, coffee plays a very important role in funeral ceremonies. After all the rituals are completed, family members gather at the deceased's home to drink coffee and chat. According to previous studies on Greek funerals, the cost of coffee in these situations is calculated per person, and the cost per person is higher than the usual price at cafes (while regular coffee at cafes costs about 1-2 euros, in these situations it is about 6 euros per person)!
Due to Greece's unique coffee culture, a special type of coffee shop has emerged—Kafenios. Cafes play a significant role in establishing Greece's street and dining culture, especially these small coffee shops, which are the main gathering places for the older generation, particularly male elders. They often play cards and discuss current events, politics, and football in these small cafes. The Greek coffee served in these small cafes is brewed using a metal vessel called "Briki." Greek coffee is served in small white cups. These white cups are thicker than regular tea cups (the thickness is similar to that of Hong Kong-style milk tea cups), which helps keep the coffee warm for a longer time, so even if you chat for a while, you don't have to worry about the coffee getting cold! Additionally, these small cups have wider openings to allow more coffee foam to gather. Traditionally, you can only taste "diplos" (double portion of Greek coffee) in Kafenios. I have not tried it in Greece, but I have had the Turkish coffee version, which indeed has a slightly different taste and is smoother to drink!
The significance of Hong Kong's tea culture lies not only in drinking tea but also in the time spent with family and friends through tea drinking. The same symbolic meaning can be found in Greek coffee culture. On holidays and weekend afternoons, Greek friends and family gather to drink coffee. A wonderful coffee gathering often concludes with coffee fortune-telling. Nowadays, coffee fortune-telling is mostly interpreted by grandmothers and older generations. Although many in the younger generation claim not to be superstitious, they find it hard to resist coffee fortune-telling.
The bitterness of Greek coffee is unforgettable; it represents the Greek people's demands and attitudes towards life. A Greek food writer once wrote: As a Greek, you may not buy expensive ingredients or clothes, but you will definitely spend money to find a cup of coffee to drink! ("You can save money by resisting to buy expensive food or clothes, but as a Greek, you try always to find money for a cup of coffee") This illustrates the significant status of coffee in Greek culture. In ancient times, philosophers discussed philosophy in taverns, and today, people chat about various matters in cafes; I believe both serve the same purpose.