From Double-Doubles to Dainty Pour-Overs: How Canada Fell in Love With Coffee, Eh?

Once upon a time, North American tourists would land in Italy, order a "regular coffee," and stare confused at the tiny, foamy espresso in front of them. “What’s all this froth?” they’d ask. Ever resourceful, Italian baristas simply added more hot water—and the Americano was born.

That was long before Tim Hortons became a national institution and before Starbucks hit every major corner. Fast-forward to today, and Canada’s coffee culture has brewed up something truly special: a billion-dollar industry with over 160,000 people working in coffee shops and another 5,000 in roasting and manufacturing. And let's not forget the folks making the cups, packaging, and those eco-friendly wooden stir sticks.

Back in 1966, Statistics Canada started tracking coffee availability, and Canadians had 88.51 litres per person. By 2022, that number had climbed to a steamy 111.76 litres. That’s a whole lot of sippin’. We now rank 10th in the world for coffee consumption. The average Canuck enjoys about 6.5 kilograms of coffee per year and spends $36 a month—whether it’s a carefully crafted cappuccino or a bag of beans to brew at home.

And while the green siren of Starbucks is a common sight, it’s Timmy’s that still wears the crown. As of mid-2023, there were 3,520 Tim Hortons locations nationwide—yep, that’s one in every province and territory. Starbucks comes in second, with 1,423 stores coast to coast.

But Canada’s coffee scene is no longer just about double-doubles and drive-thrus. In true Canadian fashion, we've embraced the global coffee culture and added our own local twist—from cozy corner cafés to world-class roasting houses.

From “Central Perk” to Your Local Coffee Spot

If you grew up watching Friends, you probably associate cafés with long chats and cozy couches. Rachel Green slinging lattes at Central Perk helped shape the idea of coffee shops as a “third place”—somewhere that’s not home and not work, but still part of your daily rhythm.

That idea caught on here, too. Today, you’ll find more than 7,000 independent coffee shops across the country, according to Statista. One standout is Tamp Coffee Company in Burlington, Ontario. Owned by barista Jimmy Zereneh, Tamp is serious about the bean. “We have an insatiable passion for coffee,” Jimmy says. “We obsess over every detail, and we love sharing that knowledge.”

A Maple-Sweet Love Affair With Coffee

Neil Madden, president of Burlington-based ECS Coffee, credits Howard Schultz of Starbucks for making coffee feel like an experience, not just a caffeine fix. “He saw cafés as a ‘third place,’ like in Italy—part of your daily routine,” says Madden.

Today, ECS runs Canada’s largest online store for coffee gear and espresso machines, catering to the growing number of Canadians turning their kitchens into coffee bars. “Coffee is romantic,” says Madden. “Italy doesn’t even grow it, but people still crave that Italian flavour.”

ECS roasts beans daily, sourcing from all over the coffee belt—places like Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. But they’re not the only ones with a story to tell.

Carvalho Coffee in Oakville brings beans straight from their family farm in Brazil, where the tradition spans five generations. Their plantation is nestled in rich volcanic soil 1,200 metres above sea level—ideal conditions for top-notch Brazilian Arabica.

Post-Pandemic Perks and At-Home Pour-Overs

With more folks working from home, there’s been a surge in demand for high-quality beans and brewers. Coffee pods and capsules have become a booming market—expected to nearly double by 2025. Even Tim Hortons has added espresso drinks to its menu.

“There’s drip, there’s Keurig for convenience, and then there’s single-serve espresso,” Madden says. “Ten years ago, most cafés were still brewing drip. Now, pressure-brew is the standard.”

Even instant coffee’s having a glow-up. Micro-ground blends have improved dramatically—though Madden still chuckles when he thinks of Nescafé as “grandma’s coffee.”

Community and Comfort—With a Shot of Espresso

Some cafés have truly embraced the “third place” vibe. Take Lyla’s House in Georgetown, where the shop feels more like someone’s living room—and every piece of furniture is for sale. Inspired by European cafés, co-owner Alex Ratcliffe wanted to create a space that felt like home.

Peach Coffee Co., with spots in Burlington, Oakville, and Waterdown, also leans into community vibes. Opened in 2021 as the world emerged from lockdowns, it set out to be a space for reconnection, offering specialty coffee and fresh-baked goods in a welcoming setting.

These local gems show just how diverse Canada’s coffee culture has become—from heritage roasting operations to community-first cafés with couches you can actually buy.

What Makes a Good Cup?

Ask Neil Madden, and he’ll tell you: it all comes down to freshness. “You can mask stale coffee with cream and sugar,” he says. “But fresh beans? That’s where the magic is.” And while he’s ditched his double-double for a bold black brew, he doesn’t judge. “If you like it, that’s a good cup of coffee. That’s all that matters.”

After all, we’re Canadian. We’ll take our coffee however it comes—steaming hot, with a little maple syrup on the side, and maybe a friendly nod from the person who served it.