Significance of Coffee to the Society - Essay Example

Significance of Coffee to the Society Coffee is the most frequently consumed beverage in the world; it has strong scent and taste. Coffee seeds are inside coffee berries and the pips are then baked so to form roasted coffee beans for a traditional coffee beverage. This stimulant drink is drank vastly around the globe and on daily bases, thus, currently its presence has become inevitable to humans. Coffee contains caffeine and an average cup of coffee entails 100 mg of caffeine in it (Weinberg and Bealer 228). Caffeine increases brain, heart and muscle activity and subsequently a person consuming coffee feels active and more focused. Due to the high caffeine content and other chemical substances in coffee, critics argue that coffee is addictive and to some extent, it contributes to weight gain, thus, its consumption should be restricted. On the contrary, coffee has played an imperative role in human lives in various ways such as cultural, social, political, globalization, economical, and medicinal aspects, and thus its consumption should not be restricted. First, coffee plays a significant role in cultural and customary occasions in many societies. For example, it is presented and consumed in many communities whereby it plays various roles with regard to a particular culture. For instance it acts as ethnic or religious representative of many groups, matrimonial or funeral essential commodity, irreplaceable element for individuals and professionals at all times. In addition, coffee is a symbol of hospitability, whereby social hospitable norms of many ethnic and religious groups require them to offer at least “a cup of coffee to their guests” as their standard etiquette (Topik 86). This is commonly seen in various religious societies, in which guests are often presented with a cup of coffee. For example, Muslims either in Ramadan or in their traditional weddings, keep coffee as a mandatory item for their guests. Similarly, Catholic, Jews and orthodox also keep this social beverage at important events such as funerals, marriage ceremonies, political and social meetings, and most importantly at professional work places (Croegaert 468). Secondly, coffee has been a crucial component of political and revolutionary movements’ gatherings and meetings. Throughout history, coffee houses have been social places for political and revolutionary movements across many nations. Companies such as Starbucks, Nestle, Proctor and gamble among others are popular for promoting a coffee culture where people can go relax in their coffee outlets and lounges, and consequently catch up or discuss political and social issues. Starbucks even went as far as providing Wi-Fi in their coffee lounges in Australia so that customers can even work while enjoying coffee and connecting. During the era of globalization and industrialization, coffee places were highly valued, and it represented a culture of class of people. Likewise, this era witnessed increasing activities of social movement groups, and as customary, coffee houses became their favourite meeting places. Hence, people planned, discussed and organised their social and political revolutions in “kefeteria” or in coffee houses against the government of that time (Croegaert 468). Therefore, restricting consumption of coffee would destroy such cultures and the values attached to it. Thirdly, coffee plays a crucial role in development of economy, which is evident from various companies that have made profit from coffee processing and sales. In the twentieth century, in USA 80% of the coffee production and supply was associated to the four renowned brands namely; Nestle, Proctor and Gamble, Sarah Lee and Philip Morris. Likewise, Starbucks, MacDonald’s and Dunkin doughnuts have been responsible for the expansion of this social beverage throughout the world, especially in USA (Topik 100). With variation in the forms of coffee like espresso, cappuccino, cold-coffee; it overwhelmed cola-drink trend in the youth. Moreover, Dunkin Doughnuts and Macdonald’s have especially represented their “drug food/ coffee” to attain business hype (Croegaert 469). Another significance of coffee is that it has endorsed globalization and is acceptable to all nations and religions. In the ancient times, coffee trade initiated with abet of spice trade. Thus, its popularity increased its cultivation, which originated from Africa, Arabia, America to Asia and consequently; spread in almost all the continents of the world except Antarctica. Yet, this social drug from there onwards became intensely popular and most cultivated agricultural commodity of Philippine, Japan and Korea (Topik 81). Muslims residing in Bosnia did not consume alcohol beverages due to religious obligations and living with Non-Muslim community; they required a social beverage supplement to replace alcohol. Therefore, Muslim Scholars declared Coffee as a drinkable beverage without any prohibition. Therefore, elite men of Bosnian Muslim society initiated to consume coffee, made it their symbol of dignity and eventually coded as it as their essential social custom later on (Croegaert 467). Increased cultivation and trade of coffee has made it an aficionado drink for many nations. For instance, in the Second World War, “A cup of Joe/coffee” was made mandatory for the solders. Finally, coffee has medicinal properties whereby in ancient times, it was perceived as detrimental drug and was mainly used for medicinal purposes, as a remedy against releasing alcohol apathy and effects. Furthermore, coffee is considered as a drug providing instant alertness, a concoction to grant energy to workers, prescribed in digestive problems, to taciturn appetite cramps, to flicker intellectuality and to improve performance in physical activities like sports or war. Thus, coffee beans have been rightly termed as psychoactive drug (Topik 84). On the other hand, excessive coffee consumption causes restlessness, high level of serum cholesterol in coffee addictives, coronary and cardiovascular impediments, tremors, nausea, seizure, osteoporosis, ulcers and detrimental to health of pregnant women due to its intervention with oral contraceptives (Butt & Sultan 363). Nevertheless, critics argue that coffee is highly addictive and health activists also suggest that is contributes to weight gain. For instance, a renowned scientist William Harvey observed his excessive intake of coffee and discovered the influence of caffeine in human blood circulatory system (Topik 83). In addition, the circumstances under which coffee beans are grown, purchased from famers and even produced are questionable. This is because critics claim that the process is not ethical since coffee producing countries have faced less benefit from their commodity and coffee consuming countries have benefited more. The former has faced economic downfall, illiteracy and deficit financial condition throughout the history and the latter has produced intellects of fame and knowledge. It is evident that coffee production and consumption has raised serious questions regarding health and ethical issues. Evidently, excessive coffee consumption causes restlessness, high level of serum cholesterol in coffee addictives, coronary and cardiovascular impediments, tremors, nausea, seizure, osteoporosis, ulcers and detrimental to health of pregnant women due to its intervention with oral contraceptives (Butt & Sultan 363). However, numerous benefits and impacts that coffee has created in the society overrides these side effects. These, are such as cultural, social, political, globalization, economical, and medicinal aspects. Hence, if taken in moderation, individuals can continue enjoying coffee with other benefits it provides without worrying over health issues. Coffee has extremely beneficial significance to the society, thus, its consumption should not be restricted. Works Cited Butt, MS and MT Sultan. "Coffee and Its Consumption: Benefits and Risks." Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (2011): 363-73. Print. Croegaert, Ana. "Who Has Time for C?ejf?: Post-socialist Migration and Slow Coffee in Neoliberal Chicago." American Anthropologist (2011): 463-477. Print. Topik, Steven. "Coffee As a Social Drug." Cultural Critique (2009): 81-106. Print. Weinberg, Bennett A and Bonnie K. Bealer. The World of Caffeine: The Science and Culture of the World's Most Popular Drug. New York: Routledge, 2001. 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