Let’s take a trip down the memory lane and see how people from the 1970s drank their coffee. It was a time when coffee was also everywhere, but not in large cups or crowded coffee chains. The ’70s also gave us these 10 habits that might just let you savor coffee (for real) again.
10. Sacred Coffee Breaks
The 1970s coffee break was sacred in a way that it was a shared routine that brought people together. It was a collective pause, usually around 10 A.M. or 3 P.M. that gave people a chance to relax or even let off steam. It wasn’t just about coffee; it was about community and mental break. Today, coffee breaks are more individual and on-the-go.
9. Drinking Coffee with Intention
These days, it’s also very easy to drink coffee for fun. Sometimes, it even comes to the point of mindless sipping, which can lead to overconsumption. We can learn from the coffee drinkers of 1970s, though. They mainly drank coffee to stay awake and get through the day. People still enjoyed coffee, but they didn’t drink out of boredom or just to have something in their hand.
8. Coffee as a Creative Companion
Of course, in the 1970s, it would be inaccurate to say that everyone drank coffee just to stay awake. Writers and dreamers also drank coffee while collecting their thoughts and diving deep into them. For these creative people, the coffee’s aroma and warmth helped set the mood to be imaginative.
7. Grinding Coffee Beans
In the ’70s and earlier, grinding coffee beans at home was common, connecting people more deeply to what they were drinking. Bringing this habit back is one way to add retro charm to your daily routine. Also, you get better control over your brew, so it tastes just the way you like it!
6. Simple Coffee Orders
Let’s be honest: simple coffee orders sound refreshing. They cut out the stress of decision fatigue, plus you don’t really need five flavors and a whipped topping to enjoy the warmth and comfort of coffee. The ’70s and earlier saw coffee as either black or “regular” (with milk and sugar). Even the kids who begged to have a drink were given a simple mix: half coffee + half milk!
5. Diner Coffee Culture
Before coffee chains popped up everywhere, you can only get a cup of joe at a local diner. Back then, coffee wasn’t a lifestyle statement either. You get a simple mug of hot brew from a friendly server who knew your order. The free refills or “bottomless coffee” also removed any pressure to leave the diner. The result? Conversations with friends and family that unfolded naturally.
4. Coffee with Toast
This ’70s habit can be classified as a minimalist approach to mornings. Back then, people were just eating something simple (coffee with a slice of buttered toast) before heading out the door. They weren’t counting macros or rushing to share their breakfast with the online world. The ’70s reminds us that coffee can be a part of our routines, not the star of our breakfasts.
3. At-Home Coffee Rituals
This habit further builds on the fact that drinking coffee is also about sharing a moment with other people. In the 1970s, it was almost automatic—the coffee pot went on when guests came over. Also, friends and neighbors didn’t need a reason to drop by; coffee was enough reason to sit down and talk. Before trendy coffee shops became the “third place,” home was the heart of coffee culture.
2. Drinking Coffee at a Table
Sitting down at a table just to drink coffee? It feels like ancient history, given today’s environment for drive thrus, walk-and-scroll mornings, and desk sips. But maybe that’s the point. Drinking coffee at a table slows you down. It pushes the pause we could all use. The ’70s had the same experience: coffee was something you sat with, at the kitchen table or with someone else at the diner.
1. Small Coffee Cups
Do you really need a tall cup of coffee and then push yourself to chug half a liter of lukewarm drink in between errands? Because the ’70s didn’t. Six to eight ounces of coffee was the standard. It was small, simple, and more importantly, enough. Also, it’s worth noting that oversized cups can lead to overconsumption. So if you want to drink like it’s 1975, maybe get that short cup next time!
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