Coffee Waves – What is the hype about it and why do I need to care?
Hi, if you’re here, it means you are curious as I am when it comes to coffee waves. When I started my coffee journey, I heard a lot about third wave coffee. But let us first dive into coffee waves and what do they mean?
First wave or also known as “Mass-produced coffee”
Back to the high demand in the 1800s, coffee companies started to mass-produce coffee. These large-scale productions mainly focus on meeting the demand, simply because there was no demand for better coffee back then, hence Instant Coffee appeared because it was quick and easy.
Then came the Second wave or also known as “Cafe culture”
When people started to crave for better taste in coffee, a flavour that we just can’t get in instant coffee, that is when Starbuck established right in time to satisfy people’s craving with the darker roast coffee during 1971. People are starting to understand what an espresso means, or a latte, an Americano, even flavoured coffee such as your vanilla latte, mocha and more!
The most commonly used term to this date, the Third wave or also known as “Specialty Coffee”
The third coffee wave came about when a small community of coffee enthusiasts founded the Specialty Coffee Association in 1982. The whole motivation behind this wave is to improve the quality of coffee and to discovering new flavours through new roasting profiles and brewing methods. Single origin coffee, pour over, aeropress, metal filter coffee and so much more!
The latest trend in coffee? Known as the Fourth wave: “Science”
According to Trish Rothgeb, the person who coined third wave coffee, fourth wave coffee is all about science, including chemistry and innovations in brewing technology. Sustainability plays a big role, with consumers wondering where their coffee comes from and the science behind its production. Some experts believe that the science of coffee and sustainability is not the biggest factor ushering in the fourth wave of coffee, they actually think it is the cold brew instead.
But there is definitely one trending item when it comes to the need of coffee consumers today.
- Focus on Quality. Emphasis on high-quality beans, often sourced from specific regions known for their unique flavours and characteristics. There's a focus on specialty coffee that highlights the distinct tastes and aromas of different coffee varietals.
- Craftmanship. Fourth wave coffee places importance on the artisanal process of coffee making. This includes precise roasting techniques, brewing methods that enhance flavour profiles, and attention to detail in every step of the coffee-making process.
- Direct Trade and Sustainability. Many fourth wave coffee roasters prioritize direct trade relationships with coffee farmers. This helps ensure fair prices for producers and promotes sustainable farming practices. Environmental sustainability is also a key consideration, with efforts to minimize the ecological impact of coffee production.
- Education and Consumer Awareness. Fourth wave coffee encourages consumer education about coffee origins, brewing methods, and flavour profiles. Coffee shops and roasters often provide information about where their coffee comes from, how it was roasted, and the best methods for brewing to enhance flavor.
- Innovation in Brewing Techniques. Experimentation with brewing methods beyond traditional espresso and drip coffee, such as pour-over, AeroPress, cold brew, and siphon brewing even incorporating technology to brewing the perfect cup! These are seen now the future of coffee brewing.
However, even if we can’t agree on exactly what the fourth wave brings, we can at least agree that with each wave, coffee just keeps improving and we are definitely moving with technology.
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