Why is coffee culture not represented on Food Network?

[Jeremy Conley]

It just occurred to me that, aside from a couple episodes of Good Eats, coffee hasn't been seriously explored via broadcast television. Imagine how much that would go toward educating and piquing the interest of consumers.

Is it just too geeky of a topic to interest the uninitiated and not-yet-hopelessly-obsessed?

[Alun Evans]

Geeky is for me!!! In Asia (and Oceania) we have the AFC! The AFC is the Asian Food Channel (not to be confused with the other AFC the less known American Football Conference). AFC shows currently 3 different coffee related shows and, I hear, is working on two more- one with a very prominent Aussie roaster who I cant name at this stage. Two of these programs are out of Australia, the third is I think from Malaysia. Ok, its not much representation, but a start. We also get frequent re-runs of Black Coffee- which I think is a quality product.

[Jeremy Conley]

I couldn't be more envious. Here in the US, we have virtually nothing.

Alun Evans said:

Geeky is for me!!! In Asia (and Oceania) we have the AFC! The AFC is the Asian Food Channel (not to be confused with the other AFC the less known American Football Conference). AFC shows currently 3 different coffee related shows and, I hear, is working on two more- one with a very prominent Aussie roaster who I cant name at this stage. Two of these programs are out of Australia, the third is I think from Malaysia. Ok, its not much representation, but a start. We also get frequent re-runs of Black Coffee- which I think is a quality product.

[Jacob]

I couldn't agree more. There's a food show for almost everything besides coffee. My guess is that the specialty coffee industry is still so new that people don't take it seriously enough to invest the kind of money it would take to film a show. Maybe if we all offer to donate time and research to the food network it would give them the push they need.

[Jeremy Conley]

No better time to start than now.

[Kayakman]

I agree that it would be cool to have a TV show highlighting roasting, brewing, sig drink making, and SO flavor nuance. That would ROCK!

At the same time I would not call this "coffee culture" as this term has more to do with the culture that develops in drink bars specializing in serving coffee. Its importing not to confuse, misuse, or expand the meaning of terms.

"Coffee Culture" is a "term used to describe a social atmosphere that depends heavily upon coffee... to act as a social lubricant." -- Wikipedia

[Jeremy Conley]

I don't know. Lexicons are a living thing.
I just always liked to consider the entire
industry and consumer experience culture.

Kayakman said:

I agree that it would be cool to have a TV show highlighting roasting, brewing, sig drink making, and SO flavor nuance. That would ROCK!

At the same time I would not call this "coffee culture" as this term has more to do with the culture that develops in drink bars specializing in serving coffee. Its importing not to confuse, misuse, or expand the meaning of terms.

"Coffee Culture" is a "term used to describe a social atmosphere that depends heavily upon coffee... to act as a social lubricant." -- Wikipedia

[Johnbruce Haslett (JB)]

Thank you so much!! That's exactly what my wife and I keep saying! Dam, I pretty much have a whole format for the show something between Triple D, Feasting on asphalt and all science nerdy like Good Eats. Know any tele-producers that want to finance a BMW roadbike and a world coffee tour???!!! :)

[Jeremy Conley]

The more I thought about this, the more it struck me as a term that needs to change. It really says nothing about, and focuses very little on, the coffee itself. As much as I appreciate the social experience, I just know that defining that, itself, as coffee culture intones that any café, any coffee will do —and it often does do. I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from liking exactly what they like, as it's a matter of preference, but I would like to see people that maybe haven't considered such things, encouraged and inspired to ask themselves: Why do I like what I like? Have I made an effort to explore my options and find new things that I would like?, etc., et al.

There's a huge need to engage. educate and inspire.

Jeremy Conley said:

I don't know. Lexicons are a living thing.
I just always liked to consider the entire industry and consumer experience culture. Kayakman said:

I agree that it would be cool to have a TV show highlighting roasting, brewing, sig drink making, and SO flavor nuance. That would ROCK!

At the same time I would not call this "coffee culture" as this term has more to do with the culture that develops in drink bars specializing in serving coffee. Its importing not to confuse, misuse, or expand the meaning of terms. "Coffee Culture" is a "term used to describe a social atmosphere that depends heavily upon coffee... to act as a social lubricant." -- Wikipedia

[Kayakman]

Actually I think "coffee culture" is about all of the following: the coffee beans, roast level, brewing method, customer service style, decor, layout, music theme, social vibe, cultural events, and such.

A good coffeehouse should do each of the above areas in the best possible way and not neglect any of the areas.

the better the quality of the SO coffee the better the culture should be as well.

Jeremy Conley said:

The more I thought about this, the more it struck me as a term that needs to change. It really says nothing about, and focuses very little on, the coffee itself. As much as I appreciate the social experience, I just know that defining that, itself, as coffee culture intones that any café, any coffee will do —and it often does do. I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from liking exactly what they like, as it's a matter of preference, but I would like to see people that maybe haven't considered such things, encouraged and inspired to ask themselves: Why do I like what I like? Have I made an effort to explore my options and find new things that I would like?, etc., et al.

There's a huge need to engage. educate and inspire.

Jeremy Conley said:

I don't know. Lexicons are a living thing.
I just always liked to consider the entire industry and consumer experience culture. Kayakman said:

I agree that it would be cool to have a TV show highlighting roasting, brewing, sig drink making, and SO flavor nuance. That would ROCK!

At the same time I would not call this "coffee culture" as this term has more to do with the culture that develops in drink bars specializing in serving coffee. Its importing not to confuse, misuse, or expand the meaning of terms. "Coffee Culture" is a "term used to describe a social atmosphere that depends heavily upon coffee... to act as a social lubricant." -- Wikipedia

[Jeremy Conley]

I think we were actually saying the same thing; just on different scales. When I think culture, I just think all-encompassing —the total sum of the collective communities and microcosms.

The whole ball of wax.

It is a culture. It's not only a refined understanding and appreciation, but also a manifestation of human intellectual achievement, passion, art; and it can be regarded collectively as being its own culture.

[Alun Evans]

Exactly- all encompassing...without understanding origin, the quality will not be there- this results in "coffee Culture" (as cafe atmosphere, quality of drin etc) being given a big kick in the butt. I would love to see a show about coffee at origin- maybe a kind of blend of "Survivor" vs. "The Greatest Race"- but all about coffee!

Kayakman said:

Actually I think "coffee culture" is about all of the following: the coffee beans, roast level, brewing method, customer service style, decor, layout, music theme, social vibe, cultural events, and such.

A good coffeehouse should do each of the above areas in the best possible way and not neglect any of the areas.

the better the quality of the SO coffee the better the culture should be as well.

Jeremy Conley said:

The more I thought about this, the more it struck me as a term that needs to change. It really says nothing about, and focuses very little on, the coffee itself. As much as I appreciate the social experience, I just know that defining that, itself, as coffee culture intones that any café, any coffee will do —and it often does do. I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from liking exactly what they like, as it's a matter of preference, but I would like to see people that maybe haven't considered such things, encouraged and inspired to ask themselves: Why do I like what I like? Have I made an effort to explore my options and find new things that I would like?, etc., et al.

There's a huge need to engage. educate and inspire.

Jeremy Conley said:

I don't know. Lexicons are a living thing.
I just always liked to consider the entire industry and consumer experience culture. Kayakman said:

I agree that it would be cool to have a TV show highlighting roasting, brewing, sig drink making, and SO flavor nuance. That would ROCK!

At the same time I would not call this "coffee culture" as this term has more to do with the culture that develops in drink bars specializing in serving coffee. Its importing not to confuse, misuse, or expand the meaning of terms. "Coffee Culture" is a "term used to describe a social atmosphere that depends heavily upon coffee... to act as a social lubricant." -- Wikipedia

[Kayakman]

wow... YES... its is about everything from bean-to cup-to cafe culture. all of these things have to be top quality and if they are the VIBE is the best ever... love places like that.