Month: April 2023

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Coffee in books

Previously I wrote about coffee in movies. But coffee is a popular beverage that is often mentioned also in books. It can serve many different purposes in literature, from adding realism to a scene to symbolizing something deeper.

Book and coffee picture
Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/coffee-cappuccino-caf%C3%A9-closeup-2151200/

Here are a few examples of how coffee is used in books:

  1. “The Coffee Trader” by David Liss: This historical novel is set in 17th-century Amsterdam and follows the story of a Jewish coffee trader named Miguel Lienzo. Coffee plays a central role in the book. It was a relatively new commodity in Europe at the time and was highly prized.
  2. “The Coffeehouse Mysteries” by Cleo Coyle: This cozy mystery series is set in a New York City coffeehouse. It features amateur sleuth Clare Cosi, who solves crimes while running the coffeehouse. Coffee is a major part of the series, with each book featuring a different coffee-themed recipe.
  3. “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald: In this classic novel, coffee is used as a symbol of the differences between the old money elite and the nouveau riche. The old money crowd drinks tea, while the nouveau riche drink coffee. It was seen as a more vulgar and common beverage at the time.
  4. “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” by Milan Kundera: In this philosophical novel, coffee is used as a metaphor for the transience of life. The characters are often depicted drinking coffee, which represents the fleeting moments of happiness and pleasure that they experience.
  5. “The Coffee House” by Joel Gersmann: This novel follows the story of a group of friends who gather regularly at a coffeehouse in New York City. Coffee is a constant presence throughout the book. It is serving as a symbol of the warmth and comfort that the friends find in each other’s company.
  6. “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle” by Haruki Murakami: In this surreal novel, the protagonist spends much of his time drinking coffee while contemplating his life and the strange events that are unfolding around him.
  7. “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” by Milan Kundera: Coffee serves as a recurring motif in this philosophical novel, symbolizing the fleeting nature of pleasure and the transience of life.
  8. “Coffee Will Make You Black” by April Sinclair: This coming-of-age novel is set in the 1960s and follows a young black girl as she grows up in Chicago. Coffee is a recurring motif throughout the book. It is symbolizing both the protagonist’s growing independence and her increasing awareness of the racial inequalities around her.
  9. “The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway: The characters in this classic novel are often seen drinking coffee, especially during the mornings after their wild nights in Paris.
  10. “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams: In this comedic science fiction novel, the characters rely on a substance called “Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster,” which contains coffee and is said to be the “best drink in existence.”

These are just a few examples of books where drinking coffee is important. In many cases, coffee serves as a symbol of comfort, routine, and community. In others it is a key part of the setting or plot. You may also be interested about article about coffee in movies.

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10 myths about coffee

Today it’s time to take a look on common myths about coffee. Let’s take a look what AI has to say about coffee myths:

  1. Coffee is dehydrating: This is a common myth about coffee. While coffee does have a diuretic effect. It means it can cause you to urinate more, it does not lead to dehydration. In fact, the amount of water in a cup of coffee can help contribute to your daily hydration needs.
  2. Coffee stunts growth: This myth likely comes from the idea that caffeine can interfere with calcium absorption, which is important for bone growth. However, studies have not found a direct link between coffee consumption and stunted growth.
  3. Coffee causes heart disease: While excessive caffeine consumption can increase heart rate and blood pressure, studies have found that moderate coffee consumption does not increase the risk of heart disease.
  4. Coffee is addictive: While caffeine is a stimulant and can lead to dependence. But it is not considered an addictive substance like drugs or alcohol.
  5. Coffee leads to insomnia: While drinking coffee too close to bedtime can interfere with sleep, moderate coffee consumption earlier in the day is not likely to cause insomnia.
  6. Dark roast coffee has more caffeine than light roast: The roasting process actually breaks down caffeine, meaning that dark roast coffee can have less caffeine than light roast.
  7. Coffee causes cancer: While some studies have found a potential link between coffee consumption and certain types of cancer. The evidence is not strong enough to suggest that coffee causes cancer.
  8. Coffee is bad for your teeth: While coffee can stain your teeth, it does not necessarily harm them. In fact, coffee contains polyphenols which can have anti-bacterial properties that could potentially be beneficial for oral health.
  9. Coffee is only effective as a morning pick-me-up: While many people drink coffee in the morning to help them wake up. Caffeine can provide a boost of energy throughout the day.
  10. Coffee is only enjoyed by adults: While children should avoid excessive caffeine consumption, coffee can be enjoyed in moderation by people of all ages.
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Coffee in movies

Coffee is a staple in many people’s lives, and it’s no surprise that it has made its way onto the big screen in some iconic movie scenes. From romantic comedies to action-packed thrillers, coffee has played a prominent role in many memorable movie moments. Here are just a few of the most famous scenes in movies featuring coffee:

  1. The opening scene of “Pulp Fiction” (1994) – This Quentin Tarantino classic opens with hitmen Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) sitting in a diner, sipping coffee and discussing the finer points of the Big Mac vs. the Royale with Cheese.
  2. “You’ve Got Mail” (1998) – In this romantic comedy, Meg Ryan’s character Kathleen Kelly runs a small bookstore that’s struggling to compete with a big chain store owned by Tom Hanks’ character Joe Fox. When they finally meet in person, they share a cup of coffee and some witty banter.
  3. “The Usual Suspects” (1995) – In this crime thriller, the character played by Kevin Spacey famously drinks coffee with a limp, which becomes an important plot point later in the film.
  4. “Heat” (1995) – In this action-packed crime drama, Robert De Niro’s character Neil McCauley orders coffee at a diner before heading out on a heist.
  5. “Groundhog Day” (1993) – In this beloved comedy, Bill Murray’s character Phil Connors relives the same day over and over again. One of his routines includes stopping at a diner for a cup of coffee and a sweet roll.
  6. “Jerry Maguire” (1996) – In this sports drama, Tom Cruise’s character Jerry Maguire has a memorable conversation with his love interest Dorothy Boyd (Renee Zellweger) over a cup of coffee at a diner.
  7. “La La Land” (2016) – In this modern musical, Emma Stone’s character Mia and Ryan Gosling’s character Sebastian have their first date at a coffee shop, where they bond over their shared love of jazz.

These are just a few examples of the many famous movie scenes featuring coffee. Whether it’s used as a prop to convey a character’s mood or as a symbol of a shared experience, coffee has become an integral part of many memorable moments in cinema. So next time you sit down to enjoy a cup of coffee, think about some of these iconic movie scenes and the role that coffee played in them.

If you prefer reading books over watching movies, this post can be interesting for you.