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The past year has seen our lives change in ways we’d never have thought possible before the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, and most of us have been forced to adapt our behaviour and daily routines. Thankfully, one simple pleasure we’ve been able to rely on to help us through difficult days is to sit back and relax with a comforting cup of coffee.

The evolution of coffee culture over the past two centuries is sometimes defined as a series of three, or possibly four ’waves’, each of them illustrating the changing trends and attitudes during different periods in time of the coffee-drinking population.

For thousands of years people have derived pleasure from drinking coffee. This flavoursome beverage with its delightful aroma is often the first thought of the morning, and the perfect way to kickstart the day. As well as having a reputation for boosting energy, drinking coffee is thought to help improve memory, mood and concentration. Coffee beans also contain high levels of antioxidants and other compounds that are believed to offer health benefits for a number of common medical conditions. Coffee is one of the world's most important commodities. It is consumed worldwide, and its production provides employment for millions. Throughout history it has been the subject of folklore, customs and myths, and in many cultures coffee houses and cafes have provided a hub for people to meet and an opportunity to socialise.