Beyond the lechero: Veracruz’s new wave of coffee culture
From coffee plantations to a thriving café scene, Veracruz remains Mexico's coffee capital, with its eponymous port city at the forefront, writes Alan Chazaro. The post Beyond the lechero: Veracruz’s new wave of coffee culture appeared first on Mexico News Daily
In Veracruz, Mexico, the allure of Jarocho coffee has captivated the author since moving from California to Xalapa, the city where her parents once resided. Originating from the 1700s when Europeans introduced coffee cultivation, Veracruz boasts a rich coffee history and traditions. The state is renowned for its coffee lineage, with no other Mexican state matching its pedigree in this regard.
The first reference to this tradition dates back to 1808, when El Gran Café de la Parroquia opened as a small establishment before the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción.
The city's coffee culture is deeply ingrained, exemplified by the Jarocho coffee ritual at El Gran Café de la Parroquia. Here, patrons watch as a traditionally dressed lechero pours frothy milk into a cup of espresso, engaging in an elaborate show. This practice has become an iconic symbol of Veracruz's coffee tradition.
While El Gran Café de la Parroquia and Gran Café del Portal in the historic center have maintained traditional coffee practices, the city's coffee scene has recently experienced a surge of new cafés. These contemporary establishments bring a fresh perspective to Veracruz's coffee heritage, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the city's historic port while enjoying its evolving coffee culture.
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