Podcast: Berlin’s coffee culture takes a sip from the past
By Alexandra Goldberg
BERLIN — The history of coffee culture can be thought of in waves, with the advent of mass coffee consumption dating back to the 1700s in Germany. The first wave was defined by classic filtered coffee, still popular in the United States. Then, the second wave had a clear emphasis on the traditional Italian style, which was picked up by other countries through globalization. American soldiers stationed in Italy during World War II realized that espresso was too bitter and difficult to drink, so they mixed the espresso shot with hot water, and voila, the Americano was created.
The third wave of coffee was characterized by the emergence of large coffee corporations such as Starbucks, which combined the Italian coffee culture of lattes and macchiatos with modern additions such as a vanilla or almond flavor — as well as sizing up to a venti cup. Now, the globe is entering the fourth wave, which is popularizing a newfound obsession with high-end cold brews and tonic drinks.
Click below to hear Alexandra Goldberg’s ‘Mod Rocker Café’ Interviews
Coffee culture anywhere follows the ebb and flow of what the consumer needs, and Berlin is still aiming to capture the traditional café life that dates back to the second wave. This is especially true for Mod Rockers & Mod Coffee Roasters, a neighborhood shop in Rosenthaler Platz that emphasizes creating a personal experience and bringing people together in a local café.
Reporter and host Alexandra Goldberg sat down with founders of Mod Rockers & Mod Coffee Roasters, Yusuf Akkaya and Levent Akkaya, to talk about coffee culture in Berlin.
Music by Jeremy Marsan.
