Is Coffee A Status Symbol? (Solved & Explained!)

Coffee has gown to become a symbol in the modern world of energy, achievement, socializing, fine dining, and inspiration. Coffee is immersed in the rich, dynamic, and satisfying blend of customs we call “coffee culture”.

This article looks at coffee as a status symbol from the origins of it as a “meeting house” beverage to the modern elevated symbolic status of the humble coffee bean.

What does coffee symbolize first of all?

We perhaps think of (and value) coffee first of all for its iconic function as “wake up energy”, without which most of us would struggle to embrace our day. We then rely on it to continue restoring our vitality for the rest of the day.

The first status symbol of coffee is, therefore, one of energy, revitalization, and inspiration. In the morning, upon seeing someone drinking a strong black coffee, we think of them with a hard day ahead of them, or with a hard night just behind them.

Morning coffee, and the first caffeine of the day, symbolizes the beginning of the day: work, ideas, planning, projects, goals, and hopes.

Coffee in the middle of the day symbolizes refreshment.  Our morning energy is depleted, but our day is not needed.  We have plans to lay out, meetings to attend, classes to teach, and people to impress.

Our end of the day coffee symbolizes endurance and commitment. We have deadlines to meet, projects to submit, and tasks to finalize and we don’t necessarily have the energy to complete them.

Does coffee symbolize friendship and getting together?

Coffee is a social drink, and coffee houses and cafes are our meeting places. In fact, if a venue does not offer good coffee, we are likely to avoid it in favour of one that does, so central is this drink to our gathering.

We may be meeting friends, family, or work colleagues: coffee symbolizes inspiration, focus, motivation, and enthusiasm, and the strength of our coffee only demonstrates our commitment to our group.

The first coffee houses emerged in the Middle East in the 1500s and were places to meet and enjoy this new and exotic drink, which was both pleasant and stimulating.

Coffee houses were unlike public houses and taverns in that they began to represent places of serious focused talk, sober philosophical discussions, literary, political, and “cultured” debate, and, of course, new (and possibly dangerous) ideas.

Coffee houses gradually began to be also associated with renegades and revolutionaries.

Does coffee symbolize environment and sustainability?

Coffee became artisan property when small time roasters began linking up with coffee bean growers and exploring the lucrative side of adding “sustainability and ethical production” tags to their coffee beans.

The changing consumer world has demonstrated an interest in and unwavering support of ethical and fair trade and principled environmental practices.

Small time coffee roasters, who know their beans, their growers, and their processes, are of huge interest to coffee connoisseurs and coffee lovers. There are very few roasteries, cafes and coffee houses who do not promote the “ethical” features of their coffee beans.

What does the smell of coffee symbolize?

The aroma of brewing coffee has a powerful impact on the human mind, and so intense it its “feel good” effect that fresh coffee is used as a rather seductive background sales technique for selling houses, caravans, and other commodities associated with good living.

It is estimated that more than 30 aromatic volatile compounds are produced during roasting that we can actually perceive when we drink the coffee. This makes for a complex tasting and smelling experience, and which differs from person to person, and from meal to meal.

This is why, as our coffee experiences develop, we discover and commit to our own brand and style of coffee. It is also why coffee connoisseurs tend to develop precise rituals around their coffee consumption and to invest in quality coffee making devices and artisan beans.

How does coffee symbolize health?

While coffee represents energy, creativity, and refreshment most of the time, it can also carry health warnings. So while we might feely admit to using coffee to lift our mood and stimulate our minds, we might, every so often, also admit to having just a little too much of it.

Unfortunately, the caffeine in coffee is harmful in large doses and also loses its effectiveness when used repeatedly. This means we need more of it to achieve the same energy buzz.

Signs that you may be having one coffee too many include the following:

• Feeling irritated, anxious, and/or emotional
• Unable to relax
• Constant fatigue which coffee does not elevate
• Unable to fall asleep
• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration, dry skin, irritated scalp
• Trembling or jittery sensations
• Rapid heart beat
• Headaches

There is a vocabulary we use for being “over caffeinated”, which is jocular and amusing, but also carries a recognition that too much caffeine does play havoc with health:

• He’s got the jitters
• She’s on the rocket fuel
• I’ve one too many jitter juices
• He has it like battery acid
• Coffee addict
• Caffeine addict
• They’re drinking heart stoppers
• I’ve overdone the coffees today
• I won’t be sleeping tonight after drinking this

What does a barista symbolize?

A true coffee house must have a barista or it is simply not a real coffee house. A barista symbolizes professionalism, skills, and authentic coffee drinks.

Having a barista on site means that the coffees will not be instant and will instead be an artisan coffee built from a single (or double) shot of espresso.

It is expected that a barista can make any style of coffee correctly and efficiently and serve it properly. This is tremendously important for coffee lovers, who rely on getting their style of coffee every time they need it.

Good coffee houses also create an effective food menu with offering that complement the coffee and contribute to the overall coffee experience. This means that a visit to our favourite café symbolizes so much more than just “a cup of coffee”.