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Coffee Through The Ages - Brewers, Cafe Culture Shifts, Bizarre Brews, And More

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Coffee Through The Ages - Brewers, Cafe Culture Shifts, Bizarre Brews, And More

13 min read FEB 25, 2026

Quick Answer

Over time, coffee has gone through many changes, both in cafes, markets, and in how we enjoy those sips at home. So here, we’d like to take a trip down memory lane, exploring a bit of coffee nostalgia through the ages, including a look at changes in brewing methods, cafe offerings and culture, bizarre trends, and more.

Key Takeaways

Brewers then and now, cafe culture changes
Unique coffee selections and trends
Aesthetically focused cafe selections and at-home creations

Coffee isn’t just a beverage, it’s an experience. And, like anything in life, over time what we’ve experienced as it pertains to coffee has evolved.

Many of our grandparents made simple cups of coffee from a stovetop percolator or a classic countertop drip brewer.

Whereas today, we’ve all seemingly become in-house baristas, customizing our brews to contain coffee ice cubes, cold foams, latte art, flavored syrups, and more, these cups coming from crafted practices using espresso machines, pour over makers, French presses, and even mason jars!

We’ve taken part in shifting cafe culture, where enjoying a cup from local coffee shops is now a natural part of life, including everything from drive-thru runs and mobile orders to sitting and enjoying the typical calming coffeehouse atmosphere for hours on end.

I mean, coffee is such an ingrained part of society, we even take note when outlandish coffee creations come about, rushing to partake or in some cases turn our noses up to the notion.

These changes in how we enjoy our cups, both in our homes and out, can bring all the nostalgic feels, and even a few laughs, as we look back on the last few decades of java-fueled enjoyment.

So, join us today as we travel back in time a few decades or so to see how it was, and how it’s going, coffee-style!

Coffee Nostalgia - Brewers, Cafe Trends, And More

First up, brewers…

We like to think most changes in coffee culture happen in cafes and coffee shops across the globe, but a quick look at in-home coffee machines over the last few decades tells a different story.

Turning back the clock to the late 1990s and early 2000s, three brewers take the spotlight - the Keurig (single serve), the Chemex (pour over), and the Aeropress (portable).

While these methods have become commonplace today, even evolving to include varying brands, modifications, and more, at one time they were indeed the new kids on the block.

So, let’s take a stroll…or a sip…down memory lane.

Keurig

In 1998 the Keurig was released for commercial use, and by 2004 the first Keurig system was introduced for at-home brewing.

And while I do feel like, by this time, we were exposed to enough futuristic inventions that the shock and awe factor here was minimal, I would’ve also loved to have seen the initial reactions to such a contraption from older generations (specifically my grandparents).

By this time, my grandparents had passed away, but I can recall in the late 1990s my grandpa responding to mentions of websites on the nightly news with a genuinely inquisitive yet frustrated - “what on earth is all this .com garbage about??”

With the same air of suspicion, I imagine him approaching the stovetop with his brown, ceramic, chipped coffee mug in hand. When his trusty percolator was nowhere to be found, he would’ve likely turned to the countertop to see this new-fangled contraption.

No metal or glass carafe.

No filter basket.

No need for scooping coffee grounds from the small ceramic mushroom-shaped vessel on the countertop.
And wait, this brewer only makes one cup at a time?

Yep, I fully envision a scowl of confusion, raised eyebrows, possibly a shake of his head, then a thorough search for that bent, worn, trusted stovetop percolator, completely dismissing the new countertop contraption which sat at the intersection of coffee and technology.

In our home, I suppose it wasn’t all that shocking, this new way of brewing, as we never used k-cups or pods, only opting for the reusable filter pod.

But, what about you?

Upon first use of a Keurig or similarly styled machine, what were your thoughts?

Any ‘grandpa shock and awe’ coffee stories you’d like to share with us?

Chemex

If you’re thinking, wait, hasn’t the Chemex been around since the 50s and 60s, you’d be right!

In fact, the Chemex (specifically) was once considered the premier pour over method, even earning a spot in the Museum of Modern Art.

So, why the gap in familiarity? And, what caused such a resurgence?

Fans of the show Friends likely remember spotting an oddly shaped, seemingly scientific contraption, a glass carafe reminiscent of a beaker, holding deeply hued java in various scenes.

And, some have attributed the appearance of a Chemex pour over maker in the series as the catalyst to this brewing method’s popularity today.

It’s been since explained that the choice of this brewer was not one of an intentional prop to be used but a mere set design choice.

Still, fans viewed it as a hip item, one that would soon become - once again - a popular brewing method, a trend which continues to ride coffee’s third (approaching fourth perhaps) wave since its resurgence.

AeroPress

If there was ever a brewing method or coffee machine that raised eyebrows, could be classified as a unique contraption, yet made a bold, tasty brew…even on the go…the AeroPress is it!

Alan Adler officially introduced the AeroPress in 2005 at the Coffee Fest trade show in Seattle.

Imagine, you’re in the coffee biz, you roll up to Coffee Fest ‘05, and you’re perusing products.

What thoughts would cross your mind upon seeing this syringe-style brewer?

Fast brew time, a smoother, even low acid, cup.

Self-cleaning and portable.

Was Adler an inventor or a coffee magician?

While folks were skeptical at first, the tastes yielded through this method gripped the attention of coffee-lovers in a flash, so much so that the AeroPress now has its own championship event.

Yes, in 2008 the world of coffee competition expanded to include the World AeroPress
Championship!

Now for cafe culture shifts and coffee offerings…

Of course, at-home brewing isn’t the only way the world has enjoyed coffee, nor will we find nostalgic shifts in brewers alone.

So then, let’s transition from at-home brewer reminiscences to a few fun cafe trend changes as we continue sipping down memory lane…

Since the mid 1990s, cafe trends have evolved to become technical, experiential, sustainable, creative, and aesthetic.

Throughout this time, cafes became hot spots for hangouts, both social and individual (another nod to the influences of sitcoms in the late 1990s and early 2000s).

So, as folks gathered to sit, sip, chat, catch-up, and/or work, the entire cafe experience shifted to focus on community and quality, a turn that would welcome customization and artisanal craftsmanship.

And what would one expect to follow as baristas honed their coffee craft and java-loving customers gathered in greater number and frequency?

Two words - knowledge and expectation.

This is where the technical and sustainable trends are most noticeable.
As customers desired to know more about where their cup came from, baristas needed to understand the process, learning aspects of growing, harvesting, processing, and roasting practices.

Then, as these specifics came into view, this shifted how patrons experienced coffee altogether.

Light roasts showcase flavors specific to growing regions? Let me sample this bright brew, a new experience for those who knew only espresso-based builds like lattes and cappuccinos.

Darker roast flavors come about due to roasting temperatures and times? Tell me more as you prepare my pour-over.

You mean the nuanced flavors I’m experiencing in this cup are made clearer, more distinct and certainly more stomach friendly when the coffee cherries are sustainably grown? Okay, I’m sold, and I’m never going back to common grocery shelf beans now!

And then, as baristas continued to hone what became a true craft, aesthetics and creativity took cafe cups to an entirely new level.

Just as latte art captivated customers in the 1980s and 1990s, flavor infusions, sweet treats, cold cups, and cold foams garnered a near cult following beginning in the early 2000s.

Any PSL pals here? Starbucks introduced the pumpkin spice latte in their cafes in the fall of 2004.
While this chain launched the frappucino in 1995, the popularity of this sweet treat soared in the early 2000s, with many coffee shops and cafes following suit, creating their own in-house blended brews.
Then, what became a trend around 2010 has been solidified as a staple in cafes and homes across the country. Can you guess which trend turned staple we’re referring to?

Raise your hand and pat yourself on the back if you said - cold brew!

And, with the continued popularity of cold brew, we’ve also seen the oddity of taps installed in some cafes upon the introduction of nitro cold brew from roughly 2012-2016.

Continuing within the cold brew trend, just before covid rocked the world, we saw the introduction of cold foam, this perfect cloud of creamy goodness still topping cold brews and iced coffees in cafes and homes near and far today.
Since the onset of the 2020s, we’ve also seen tasty cafe inventions such as shaken espressos as well as a revisit of the pour over.
And, while this isn’t a cafe trend, one bright spot in the gloom that was covid found its place in the coffee spotlight when quarantined coffee lovers made and fell in love with dalgona coffee - this whipped, aesthetic mountain of coffee resting upon an iced glass of milk finding its way into Instagram feeds and TikTok stories all around the world.

So, what started as cafe knowledge, creativity, and ingenuity has since poured over into our homes, where we now channel our inner barista, turning our cup into a ritual, both calming, satisfying, and oh, so sippable!

Coffee Trends - Weird Or Wonderful?

Not all trends are worthy of sticking around. In fact, some trends are just plain weird…hmmm, or are they actually wonderful, even if only for a short time?

When it comes to coffee, preferences are entirely personal.

Still, we’d like to explore some coffee trends that rank high on the list of, well, let’s call them unique offerings.

1- Broccoli Coffee

Also known as the broccolatte, this well-intentioned brew originated in Melbourne, Australia.

What started as a trend to include functional benefits in brews, such as turmeric, a known inflammation fighter, may have been taken too far according to those who’ve sampled this green-hued cup.

As vegetable powders became increasingly common, in June of 2018 a cafe in Australia tinkered with the idea of adding them to a latte.

I mean hey, there’s beetroot powder foams and rose petal brews, why not put the broccoli in the coffee and drink them both up, right?

Well, cafe customers who decided to drink outside the box have weighed in on the experience, and it doesn't look good for the future of the broccolatte: “it tasted like a bowl of green, milky mush.”

Still, others didn’t shun the idea entirely, noting that getting in a serving of veggies in their coffee wasn’t all that bad.

2- Butter Coffee

This trend was much more common than broccoli infused cups, especially in the early 2010s.

But, while it may not sound as outlandish, the notion of adding butter to your brew isn’t necessarily conventional.

Also known as Bulletproof coffee, the trend of adding butter to your brewed cup of coffee began with Dave Asprey, who published this keto-friendly, satiating, breakfast replacement recipe in 2009.

Since this time, many still opt for added fat sources in their brew, as this trend has expanded to include MCT oil, coconut oil, or ghee as well.

3- Bizarre Beans

While the clean, low acid nature of Lifeboost Coffee has been a helpful, even relieving, aid when it comes to the typical effects of coffee on human digestion, these coffee beans involve digestion in a truly bizarre way.

Known as civet coffee, Kopi lawak, or even ‘crap coffee,’ this brew, native to the islands of Indonesia has intrigued minds in the cafe and culinary world all around the globe.

What is it?

In the case of these bizarre beans, civet cats are fed coffee cherries which are then said to slightly ferment during digestion.

Eventually, nature takes its course, and when nature calls, the coffee beans are removed from the…um…cat scat.

The beans are then collected, washed (thank you), dried, and roasted.
For those who’ve had their curiosity piqued: one sampler actually described the experience as lackluster:

“Although the taste was pleasant-delicate, fruity, and without a whiff of where it had come from, I must say it wasn’t really a ‘taste the difference’ improvement over the non-civet offerings they had at the coffee tasting.”

4- Black Pepper Brews

Black pepper coffee is just what it sounds like, coffee with black pepper.

It is thought to have originated in India, and this spicy addition actually serves a purpose, with connoisseurs finding the bitter pepper to tame the typical bitterness of coffee.

As black pepper is rich in antioxidants, this addition is considered to be a health-booster.

Of course, the healthy nature of this brew tracks with its surge in popularity from 2020-2023, as folks today seem to be taking their health more seriously.

Some versions involve adding black pepper to coffee grounds in a French press, then preparing your brew traditionally, albeit with a touch of spice.

And, other preparation methods involve adding freshly ground black pepper to the bottom of a mug, topping with espresso and milk foam, then completing the spicy masterpiece with a few fresh grinds to top the pillowy foam.

Have you tried any of the above-listed unique trends of the last few decades?

If so, what did you think? Anyone still obsessing over broccoli infused brews?

When Coffee Is Cute

Folks are calling the 2020s the Instagrammable era, with Gen Z routinely finding joy in the beauty that is coffee, then sharing this joy with followers through photos nearly as carefully crafted as the brews they’re sipping.

Some of these cups are routine, but others truly take the coffee cake, with vibrant colors and even 3D latte art images elevating ordinary brews to extraordinary levels.

So, as we close things out today, we thought we’d share a few of these cute trends with you:

1- Latte Art Foam Sculptures

Yes, I said sculptures.

Around 2013 coffee foam art was trending in Japan, and this cute practice soon made its way to the US.

If you’ve had the pleasure of seeing such toppers, they’re almost too adorable to sip, the latte foam etched into 3D images, with some boasting added colors using food dyes, spices, etc.

If you thought latte art was impressive (and it absolutely is!), then you’ve gotta search out latte foam sculptures!

2- Sweet Little Rain Coffee

Some have dubbed this creative brew a coffee made for Instagram, with people commonly seeking to share the experience when sipping this cute brew.

Imagine desiring a touch of sweetness in your cup and achieving this through creative means, namely suspending a fluffy poof of cotton candy above a steaming hot cup of joe, the steam forcing the wispy candy above to melt, dripping sweet little rain drops into your brew.

Now, that’s what I call cute, creative, and yes, sweet coffee!

3- Colorful Cups

From matcha to beetroot, cocoa, cinnamon, and more, many are opting to add color to their coffee through food powders, with these cute cups commonly utilizing the white backdrop of latte foam as the perfect canvas for creativity.

Of course, gels, food dyes, edible glitter, etc. are also used from time to time to boost aesthetics, but the basics have also produced some beautiful, vibrantly hued, and again, Insta-worthy, brews.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our nostalgic journey through the last few decades of coffee brewing, cafe culture, creativity, and cuteness.

We’re looking forward to seeing what the next 10-20 years brings to our cups and yours!

Happy sipping!