Japanese Coffee Culture

Just some thoughts on Japan in general and the coffee culture here in particular. If Japan can be summed up in one behavioral phrase it may well be "attention to detail." The culture is highly stylized and formal - that may be an understatement. As such there seems to be little room for half-hearted execution in any endeavor.

Coffee is ubiquitous here and the quality is astoundingly high. Yes of course there are Starbucks coffeeshops here and there. Mind you I swear that this year I've spotted more than last year. However they are far outnumbered by indigimous coffee chains which in turn are outnumbered by indie shops.

I'll sign off with a brief annecdote from Verde Coffee. The owner wa approached by dozens of clients to sell his cotton coffee filters. Apparently after years of coaxing he broke down and started selling these nifty filters complete with personal instruction on how to use them. When he learned that some customered were not croutinely leaning the filters - he stopped selling the filters abruptly. That is the best illustration of Japanse coffee culture I can offer. That tenacity and attention to detail is why you'll have a hard time getting a bad cup of coffe in Japan.


- A roving communique from my iPhone

Location:Tokyo, Japan

UCC Black

Another canned coffee entry. Today it is UCC Black. On an aside drinking these coffees is a nice break from all of the high end single origin coffees we cup for Dauphin Kaffee and the various Jamaica Blue Mountain coffees.

UCC Black is remarkably light and refreshing. This is a perfect afternoon coffee hot or cold.










- A roving communique from my iPhone

Location:３丁目,Shibuya Ward,Japan

An alternative to instant - Mon Cafe

I'm 100% spoiled because of my proffession. Even on the rare occasion of running out of coffee , fresh Dauphin Kaffee coffees are never more than 24 hours away. Mind you when I travel I love sampling coffee in all of it's dizzying varieties. Case in point 'Mon Cafe' a clever drip brewing system complete with a unique coffee blend available at any Tokyo convenience store. You simply heat fresh water in the kettle, unfold the brewer over your cup of choice, pour then enjoy coffee that is head and shoulders above instant coffee... in an instant.








- A roving communique from my iPhone

Location:３丁目,Shibuya Ward,Japan