More than a simple hot beverage, coffee is a lifestyle. It can enliven childhood memories, bring people together, and of course, make you (more) awake for several hours. This brewed wonder is a national darling, loved by everybody - and sometimes more than expected.

A report from the Nordic Coffee Culture shows that, in Finland, 6 % of women and 14 % of men drink more than 10 cups of coffee per day. That is too much coffee, considering that the average consumption in Finland is 4-5 cups, and some of them can be escorted by a sweet treat, like a pulla. Coffee breaks are even in the law. Workers are legally required to have an official break for more brain juice. Coffee also means social interactions, even when you are in silence. At coffee breaks, workers can talk about other things than work. Restaurants have their coffee moment at the end of the meal, not just to digest the food, but an extra time for people to chat. And cafés are meeting places for all kinds of Finns, from the heavy to the casual drinkers.

As some Finns even learn how to brew when they are small kids, part of Finnish blood is made of coffee. And their history with the hot beverage started three centuries ago. In 1720, the green beans arrived on ships equipped with the bourgeoisie. Gradually, coffee spread to the enjoyment of the whole people, with the first café of the country opened in 1773. By the late 1800s, coffee was already popular and enjoyed not just on special occasions. In the 1930s, Brazilian raw coffee started to arrive in Finland and rapidly became the type of flavor Finns happened to like, with a light roasting made locally - in coffee shops, retailers, and at home.

Arabica is the species of coffee most enjoyed in the country, with a smoother and less acidic taste. Aki Aunola from Helsingin Kahvipaahtimo adds: "One interesting thing to note is that in Finland people are used to drinking very light roasts. There's a logical historical reason for that as Finland enjoys one of the softest waters in the world and soft water doesn't need dark roast to extract taste into brewed coffee. Nowadays people are demanding a wider variety of roasts to suit different tastes and that can easily be seen when looking at the shelves at supermarkets and cafes." Coffee is not just a hot cup of magic; it has an origin, flavor profile, and a darker side: social responsibility.

The harvesting of the fruits can be exploitative, and it's important to buy from small producers, as you can see who is behind those beans. "For us, the most important is the quality of course, but we look for traceability, ecological and ethical values. We are organic certified and use mostly single farm coffees or community coffees from smaller regions where growers share our values," says Pasi Pelkonen from Café Nazca, a micro-roaster with single-origin coffee from Peru.

Small roasters have been in the last ten years overgrowing, with single-origin or their blends of coffee, and ethical consciousness. From farmers to consumers, the consumption of coffee is a big chain, and the final link - you - get to meet the person who planted that fruit through the roaster, the small company that needs to make sure the whole bond is safe. "Every year I order Colombian coffee directly from the farmer and there aren’t any bigger corporations between us. I can also speak directly with my farmers using Facebook. My main focus is to build a personal relationship with the farmer." says Joel Marttala from Kahwe.

And that safe link is also shown in how people in Finland have a special connection with coffee. It connects people, creates memories, stories, ideas. As King Louis XV of France said "What would life be without coffee?", I believe most Finns can even say the same. "But, then, what's life even with coffee?" he added. In present times, existential questions are very welcome. Just make sure you have a hot cup of philosophical fuel in your hands.

Photo by Roman Melihhov on Unsplash