Expat Coffee | Navigating Coffee Culture An Expats Guide to Saint Barthlemy

Welcome expatriates to the rich tapestry of coffee culture in Saint Barthélemy! As an expat living in this beautiful Caribbean Island, one of the fun ways to immerse yourself in the local culture is by exploring the coffee scene. From the origins and production of coffee, favorite coffee style drinks, coffee drinking customs and traditions, to tips for enjoying coffee in social settings, our guide offers insights and tips for expats seeking to fully experience Saint Barthélemy's coffee traditions.

Origin and Production of Coffee in Saint Barthélemy

To fully enjoy Saint Barthélemy's coffee culture, it's important to first understand where coffee is grown. While Saint Barthélemy is a small island, it is home to a budding coffee industry. Coffee has been grown on Saint Barthélemy for more than 200 years, and today farmers are focusing on premium coffee varieties to serve both locals and tourists. There are several coffee plantations in Saint Barthélemy, each offering unique varieties of coffee. Some popular regions for coffee cultivation include Corossol, Colombier, and Petit Cul de Sac.

Saint Barthélemy's coffee is sourced from both local and imported varieties. While locally grown coffee is widely available, some coffee shops and cafes in Saint Barthélemy also import coffee from countries like Columbia, Guatemala, and Brazil to offer their customers a wider range of coffee styles and flavors.

Favorite Coffee Style Drinks in Saint Barthélémy

Saint Barthélemy is home to a diverse array of coffee style drinks, ranging from traditional brews to specialty blends. Here are some of our favorite coffee style drinks to try:

Café Crème - Saint Barthélemy-style latte
Café au Lait - coffee with hot nonfat milk
Café au Crème - coffee with hot milk and whipped cream
Turbo Coffee - a shot of espresso blended with equal parts of milk and sugar
Moca - a Cuban espresso-like coffee with a hint of sweetness

Saint Barthélémy is also home to signature coffee varieties that are unique to the region. These varieties are the result of local farmers experimenting with different coffee species and techniques. For example, Laurent Mazza, a local coffee farmer, has blended Arabica and Robusta coffee species to produce a far more robust, yet sweet, coffee flavor profile that's unique to Saint Barthélémy.

Embracing Coffee Drinking Customs and Traditions in Saint Barthélemy

Coffee isn't just a beverage in Saint Barthélemy - it's a way of life. Coffee is deeply embedded in the daily routines of Saint Barthélemy residents, and social interactions often revolve around coffee. Here are some coffee drinking customs and traditions to familiarize yourself with:

Café en Flacon - Coffee in a bottle: This is a traditional method of brewing coffee, where green coffee beans are roasted, brewed, and bottled with natural ingredients and honey. This coffee has a long shelf life due to the preserving properties of honey.
Café des Amis (Coffee for Friends) - A traditional coffee ritual often done by a group of friends. Coffee is brewed with a Cafetière de Coton, which is a cloth coffee filter with a thin cotton layer. Coffee from the filter is poured directly into a glass, thus preserving the rich flavor of the coffee.
Boucan: Boucan is a Saint Barthélemy's coffee tradition that consists of drying green coffee beans over a wood fire. BarrAdv, located in the town of St. Jean, offers a unique coffee experience where they allow guests to participate in the Boucan coffee tradition. This tradition is an opportunity for expats to experience the ancient coffee drying tradition.
Café à la Carte: This is a traditional way of ordering coffee at Saint Barthélémy cafes. Coffee is served with sugar, milk or both, depending on the customer's preference.

To fully embrace Saint Barthélemy's coffee culture, expats are encouraged to respect local customs and traditions. For example, it's impolite to add ice to coffee, as it dilutes the coffee's flavor and aroma.

Recommended Coffee Shops and Cafes in Saint Barthélemy

Here are a few recommendations for coffee shops and cafes in Saint Barthélémy that are expat-friendly:

BarrAdv: Located in St Jean, BarrAdv is a coffee shop that offers a variety of traditional coffee styles, including Boucan coffee. This is an excellent place to try Saint Barthélémy's signature coffee varieties and learn more about the local coffee culture.
L'Isolaire Gourmand: A popular breakfast spot in Gustavia, L'Isolaire Gourmand is a bakery that serves a variety of sandwiches, pastries, and coffee drinks. It's an ideal place to experience the local coffee culture while enjoying a delicious breakfast.
Café de Rêves: Located in Gustavia, Café de Rêves is a cozy café that serves artisan coffee, tea, and light sandwiches. This café is vastly known for its delicious coffee pastries.

These cafes and coffee shops not only offer a chance to engage with the local community but are also ideal destinations to experience the traditional coffee-drinking customs and rituals.

Adding Context and Highlighting Regional Differences

As an expat, it's also important to understand how Saint Barthélemy's coffee culture differs from other coffee cultures. Saint Barthélemy's coffee tradition is unique due to the island's size, tropical location, and limited resources. For example, BarrAdv's Boucan coffee tradition is a nod to the island's limited space, as it offers a unique way to dry green coffee beans while utilizing the island's tropical climate.

In other coffee cultures, such as those found in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, coffee is often consumed as an after-meal beverage, while in Saint Barthélemy, coffee is consumed at various times of the day, as a part of daily routines, and in social interactions.

In Conclusion

At Saint Barthélémy, coffee is a vibrant thread that touches every facet of society; it's culture, tradition, social interaction, and a beverage. By understanding the country's coffee history, coffee scene, and the customs and traditions that continue to shapes its coffee culture, expats can engage with the local community and fully embrace the island's unique traditions. Come and experience the profound coffee culture in Saint Barthélemy!