Beverages of the Generations

You came to Malé for a week of adventure and exploration, but you stayed for the coffee. You were amazed by the beauty and diversity of the islands, the crystal-clear lagoons, and the friendly locals. But you were also drawn to the bistros, cozy cafés and tuck-shops that dotted every block and every street corner, offering you a taste of the world’s most beloved beverage.

For centuries, Maldivians had long been super fans of tea. Hingaa kalheh jahaalan was a common phrase in the evenings, amongst the youth and the elderly. But when the Maldives was finally opened up to experience world culture in the ’90s, millennials took over the entire culture of high tea, by bringing something else to replace the quintessential ingredient to all evening gatherings.

Coffee originated in Ethiopia, where a shepherd noticed his goats becoming more energetic after eating the berries of a certain plant. He tried some himself and felt the same effect. Later, monks in the area discovered that coffee helped them stay alert during long hours of prayer.

Like Tea and the several rituals around it, coffee has its own ages-long culture. A culture that Maldivians embraced with passion and pride. They didn’t care much about the different types of roasts, they just wanted their coffee strong and black. They didn’t know that the lighter the roast, the more caffeine it contained. They just knew that coffee gave them the energy and the mood to face the day.

You, on the other hand, were more curious and adventurous. You wanted to try different roasts and flavors, to experience the nuances and subtleties of each cup. You learned that the light roast, also called the cinnamon roast, half city or New England, had a sour and grassy taste; that the medium roast, also known as full city, American, regular, breakfast or brown, had a sweet and aromatic smell, with a balanced acidity; that the dark roast, also called High, Viennese, French or Continental, had a spicy and chocolatey flavor, with a smooth body; and that the darkest roast, widely known as Italian or espresso, had a bitter and smoky taste, with a rich crema.

You preferred the medium to dark roasts, and you liked to add some sugar to enhance the sweetness. You enjoyed a latte macchiato at the airport café, savoring the contrast between the hot espresso and the cold milk foam.

You looked around and saw the familiar faces of the people you had met and befriended during your stay. You had shared many conversations and laughs with them, over topics ranging from philosophy to politics. You had learned a lot from them, and they had learned from you too.

You felt a pang of sadness as you realized you had to leave soon. You had fallen in love with the islands, the people, and the coffee. You had experienced a slice of paradise, a place where time seemed to stand still, where nature was in harmony, where life was simple and joyful.

You knew that you would miss waking up to the sound of the waves and the breeze of the palm trees, the warm and sunny mornings, the colorful and serene evenings, the fresh and delicious seafood, and of course, the coffee.

You boarded the plane and took your seat. You looked out the window and saw the islands fading away in the distance. You felt a mix of emotions, gratitude, nostalgia, and hope. You hoped to come back someday, to see your friends again, to explore more islands, and to drink more coffee.

The seat belt sign turned off, and the flight attendant approached you with a smile. She asked you, “Tea, Coffee, or Juice?” “Coffee, please.” You replied, without hesitation. You knew that coffee was more than just a drink, it was a culture. A culture that you had embraced, and that had embraced you back.