How has coffee culture developed in Canada

Last night, while catching up on Mad Men (yes, I know, a bit late to the party), I heard a line that made me laugh out loud: “No one under 25 drinks coffee anymore,” says a 1960s-era ad executive. “Just Pepsi. They pour it on their Frosted Flakes.”

Well, how times have changed, eh?

It’s hard to believe that coffee wasn’t always such a staple in our lives. These days, it’s practically a national pastime—right up there with hockey, maple syrup, and complaining about the weather. According to a 2010 Ipsos Reid study, 88% of Canadians drink at least one cup a day, with most averaging a solid 3.2 cups per day. Now that’s some serious caffeine dedication.

Back in the ’60s, a “person on the street” probably couldn’t have told you the difference between a cappuccino and an espresso—or whether a dark roast would be more up their alley than a light roast. Ordering coffee wasn’t an exercise in choice. It was simple: “Coffee, black.” You’d toss down a couple of coins, grab your cup, and be on your way.

Fast forward to today, and Canadians have developed some seriously refined tastes. Take a look at the numbers:

• While Canada doesn’t grow coffee beans, the beverage has been around here for centuries. The first reference to coffee being consumed in North America dates all the way back to 1668.

• Canadians down 14 billion cups of coffee every year. It’s the most popular hot beverage in the country and the number-one foodservice drink.

• In 2008, coffee accounted for 16% of all non-alcoholic beverage sales in Canada—talk about liquid gold.

• Outside of home and work, coffee lovers enjoy an average of 3.5 cups per week in cafes and restaurants.

And it’s not just about quantity—we care about quality, too. 71% of coffee drinkers say flavour is their top priority when choosing their cup of joe, and 63% say the taste of a café’s coffee determines their loyalty. That’s great news for local spots like Vancouver and Richmond’s bustling coffee culture, where customers keep coming back week after week. Clearly, we’ve nailed the art of the perfect brew.

Got your own coffee quirks or fun facts? Spill the beans in the comments!

Hope this brings that warm Canadian feel you were looking for! Let me know if you want me to tweak it further. 🍁☕