☕ Global Coffee Culture Explorer

From Italian espresso bars to Korean coffee trends - discover the world in every cup

Author

ARUN RAJESH BALAKRISHNAN

Published

October 17, 2025

Introduction

This document explores global coffee culture through an interactive data visualization showcasing different coffee types, their origins, brewing methods, and cultural significance.

Setup and Data Preparation

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# Load required libraries
library(dplyr,warn.conflicts = FALSE)
library(gt)
library(gtExtras)
library(tibble)
library(purrr)
library(htmltools)

Data Preparation

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# Create the coffee data with enhanced iconography and visual elements
coffee_tbl <- tibble(
  Coffee = c("☕ Espresso", "🥛 Latte", "🍨 Affogato", "🎨 Flat White", "❄️ Cold Brew", "🏺 Turkish", "🧊 Dalgona"),
  Origin = c("Italy", "Italy", "Italy", "Australia", "USA", "Turkey", "South Korea"),
  Region = c("Europe", "Europe", "Europe", "Oceania", "North America", "Asia", "Asia"),
  Flag = c("Images/italy.png", "Images/italy.png", "Images/italy.png", "Images/australia.png", 
           "Images/usa.png", "Images/turkey.png", "Images/south_korea.png"),
  Method = c("Espresso Machine", "Espresso + Milk", "Espresso + Ice Cream", "Espresso + Milk", 
             "Cold Brew", "Ibrik Pot", "Whipped Instant Coffee"),
  Caffeine_mg = c(64, 150, 75, 110, 200, 130, 90),
  Flavor = c("🌋 Bold, Bitter", "🥛 Creamy, Smooth", "🍫 Sweet, Dessert", "🌿 Velvety, Mild", 
             "🌊 Smooth, Refreshing", "🌶️ Spiced, Strong", "☁️ Frothy, Sweet"),
  Popularity = list(
    c(70, 75, 80, 85, 90),
    c(80, 82, 85, 89, 90),
    c(30, 35, 40, 42, 45),
    c(60, 70, 72, 74, 75),
    c(50, 55, 65, 70, 75),
    c(40, 45, 55, 60, 62),
    c(20, 80, 90, 85, 60)
  ),
  PopularityRating = c(4.5, 4.5, 2.3, 3.7, 3.8, 3.1, 4.2),
  Price_USD = c(2, 4, 6, 4, 5, 3, 3),
  FunFacts = c(
    "☕ History: Invented in 1884 by Angelo Moriondo in Turin, Italy. The word 'espresso' means 'pressed out' in Italian, referring to the brewing method where hot water is forced through finely ground coffee beans.",
    "🥛 Cultural Note: Originally called 'caffè latte' in Italy, it became popular in Seattle coffee culture during the 1980s. In Italy, lattes are typically only consumed at breakfast time.",
    "🍨 Dessert Innovation: Created in Italy, 'affogato' means 'drowned' in Italian. This dessert-drink hybrid combines the bitter espresso with sweet gelato for a perfect temperature and flavor contrast.",
    "🇦🇺 Down Under Creation: Developed in Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s. It's similar to a cappuccino but with less foam and a stronger coffee flavor. Often served with latte art.",
    "❄️ Origin Story: Cold brew was first developed in Japan in the 1600s using the 'Kyoto method.' It gained massive popularity in the US during the 2010s as a smoother, less acidic alternative to iced coffee.",
    "🇹🇷 UNESCO Heritage: Turkish coffee is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. It's traditionally prepared in a special pot called 'cezve' and served with Turkish delight.",
    "📱 Viral Sensation: Named after Korean actor Jung Il-woo's character in a drama, it became a global phenomenon during COVID-19 lockdowns through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram."
  )
)

Data Enhancement

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#Enhanced dataset with helper columns
coffee_tbl2 <- coffee_tbl %>%
  mutate(
    # Collapsible FunFacts (using <details>)
    Details = map(FunFacts, ~gt::html(paste0(
      "<details><summary style='cursor:pointer;color:#8B4513;font-weight:bold;'>Read more</summary>",
      "<div style='padding:8px;margin-top:5px;'>", .x, "</div>",
      "</details>"
    ))),
    
    # Brewing method icons
    MethodIcon = case_when(
      grepl("Machine", Method) ~ "☕",
      grepl("Milk", Method) ~ "🥛",
      grepl("Ice Cream", Method) ~ "🍨",
      grepl("Cold Brew", Method) ~ "🧊",
      grepl("Pot", Method) ~ "🏺",
      grepl("Whipped", Method) ~ "☁️",
      TRUE ~ "☕"
    ),
    MethodWithIcon = paste0(MethodIcon, " ", Method),
    
    # Caffeine % relative to max
    Caffeine_pct = round(Caffeine_mg / max(Caffeine_mg) * 100, 1),
    
    # Inline star ratings with ★ ☆
    RatingHTML = purrr::map_chr(PopularityRating, function(rating) {
      full_stars <- floor(rating)
      half_star <- ifelse((rating - full_stars) >= 0.5, 1, 0)
      empty_stars <- 5 - full_stars - half_star
      paste0(
        "<span style='color:#FFD700;'>",
        strrep("★", full_stars),
        ifelse(half_star == 1, "⯨", ""),
        "</span>",
        "<span style='color:#DDD;'>",
        strrep("☆", empty_stars),
        "</span>",
        " <span style='color:#666;font-size:0.9em;'>(", sprintf("%.1f", rating), ")</span>"
      )
    }),
    
    # Calculate value score for heatmap (lower price + higher rating = better value)
    ValueScore = PopularityRating / Price_USD
  )

Interactive Coffee Table

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# Create the gt table
coffee_tbl2 %>%
  group_by(Region) %>%
  gt() %>%
  
  # Title + subtitle
  tab_header(
    title = md("**☕ Global Coffee Culture Explorer ☕**"),
    subtitle = md("*From Italian espresso bars to Korean coffee trends - discover the world in every cup*")
  ) %>%
  
  # Column groups
  tab_spanner(
    label = md("**🌍 Origin & Identity**"),
    columns = c(Origin, Flag)
  ) %>%
  tab_spanner(
    label = md("**⚗️ Composition**"),
    columns = c(MethodWithIcon, Caffeine_mg, Flavor)
  ) %>%
  tab_spanner(
    label = md("**📊 Market & Popularity**"),
    columns = c(Popularity, RatingHTML, Price_USD)
  ) %>%
  tab_spanner(
    label = md("**📚 Cultural Heritage**"),
    columns = c(Details)
  ) %>%
  
  # Column labels
  cols_label(
    Origin = "Country",
    Flag = "Flag",
    MethodWithIcon = "Brewing Method", 
    Caffeine_mg = "Caffeine (mg)",
    Flavor = "Flavor Profile",
    Popularity = "Trend",
    RatingHTML = "⭐ Rating",
    Price_USD = "Price (USD)",
    Details = "Historical & Cultural Facts"
  ) %>%
  
  # Reorder columns to move Details to the end
  cols_move_to_end(columns = Details) %>%
  
  # Hide original columns we've transformed
  cols_hide(columns = c(Method, MethodIcon, FunFacts, Region, PopularityRating, Caffeine_pct, ValueScore)) %>%
  
  # Format flag images
  fmt_image(
    columns = Flag,
    height = 30,
    width = 30
  ) %>%
  
  # Render HTML columns
  fmt_markdown(columns = c(Coffee, RatingHTML)) %>%

  cols_align(
  align = "left",
  columns = Details
  ) %>%
 # Sparklines for popularity trends with WARM BROWN PALETTE
  gt_plt_sparkline(
    column = Popularity,
    same_limit = TRUE,
    palette = c("#3E2723", "#5D4037", "#6D4C41", "#8D6E63", "#A1887F")
  ) %>%
  
  # Caffeine bar chart with LATTE TO ESPRESSO GRADIENT
  gt_plt_bar_pct(
    column = Caffeine_mg,
    scaled = FALSE,
    fill = "#3E2723",  # Dark espresso brown
    background = "#D7CCC8",  # Light latte cream
    width = 50,
    labels = TRUE
  ) %>%
  
  # Styling
  tab_options(
    table.font.size = px(13),
    heading.align = "center",
    heading.title.font.size = px(24),
    heading.subtitle.font.size = px(14),
    column_labels.font.weight = "bold",
    column_labels.background.color = "#EFEBE9",
    table.border.top.color = "#3E2723",
    table.border.top.width = px(3),
    row_group.background.color = "#D7CCC8",
    row_group.font.weight = "bold",
    row_group.font.size = px(14),
    table.width = pct(150)
  ) %>%

# Display the table
  fmt_currency(
    columns = Price_USD,
    currency = "USD",
    decimals = 0  
  )  %>%
  cols_width(
    Coffee ~ px(140),
    Origin ~ px(100),
    Flag ~ px(70),
    MethodWithIcon ~ px(180),
    Caffeine_mg ~ px(120),
    Flavor ~ px(180),
    Popularity ~ px(160),
    RatingHTML ~ px(140),
    Price_USD ~ px(100),
    Details ~ px(800)
  ) %>%
  cols_align(
    align = "center",
    columns = c(Caffeine_mg, Price_USD, RatingHTML)
  )

☕ Global Coffee Culture Explorer ☕
From Italian espresso bars to Korean coffee trends - discover the world in every cup
Coffee	🌍 Origin & Identity		📊 Market & Popularity			⚗️ Composition			📚 Cultural Heritage
Coffee	Country	Flag	Trend	⭐ Rating	Price (USD)	Brewing Method	Caffeine (mg)	Flavor Profile	Historical & Cultural Facts
Europe
☕ Espresso	Italy			★★★★⯨ (4.5)	$2	☕ Espresso Machine	32%	🌋 Bold, Bitter	Read more ☕ History: Invented in 1884 by Angelo Moriondo in Turin, Italy. The word 'espresso' means 'pressed out' in Italian, referring to the brewing method where hot water is forced through finely ground coffee beans.
🥛 Latte	Italy			★★★★⯨ (4.5)	$4	🥛 Espresso + Milk	75%	🥛 Creamy, Smooth	Read more 🥛 Cultural Note: Originally called 'caffè latte' in Italy, it became popular in Seattle coffee culture during the 1980s. In Italy, lattes are typically only consumed at breakfast time.
🍨 Affogato	Italy			★★☆☆☆ (2.3)	$6	🍨 Espresso + Ice Cream	37.5%	🍫 Sweet, Dessert	Read more 🍨 Dessert Innovation: Created in Italy, 'affogato' means 'drowned' in Italian. This dessert-drink hybrid combines the bitter espresso with sweet gelato for a perfect temperature and flavor contrast.
Oceania
🎨 Flat White	Australia			★★★⯨☆ (3.7)	$4	🥛 Espresso + Milk	55%	🌿 Velvety, Mild	Read more 🇦🇺 Down Under Creation: Developed in Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s. It's similar to a cappuccino but with less foam and a stronger coffee flavor. Often served with latte art.
North America
❄️ Cold Brew	USA			★★★⯨☆ (3.8)	$5	🧊 Cold Brew	100%	🌊 Smooth, Refreshing	Read more ❄️ Origin Story: Cold brew was first developed in Japan in the 1600s using the 'Kyoto method.' It gained massive popularity in the US during the 2010s as a smoother, less acidic alternative to iced coffee.
Asia
🏺 Turkish	Turkey			★★★☆☆ (3.1)	$3	🏺 Ibrik Pot	65%	🌶️ Spiced, Strong	Read more 🇹🇷 UNESCO Heritage: Turkish coffee is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. It's traditionally prepared in a special pot called 'cezve' and served with Turkish delight.
🧊 Dalgona	South Korea			★★★★☆ (4.2)	$3	☁️ Whipped Instant Coffee	45%	☁️ Frothy, Sweet	Read more 📱 Viral Sensation: Named after Korean actor Jung Il-woo's character in a drama, it became a global phenomenon during COVID-19 lockdowns through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Figure 1: Interactive table of global coffee beverages with cultural insights

Key Insights

Based on the coffee culture data analysis:

Highest Caffeine: Cold Brew leads with 200mg of caffeine
Most Popular: Both Espresso and Latte share the highest rating of 4.5 stars
Most Expensive: Affogato at $6, being a dessert-coffee hybrid
Cultural Heritage: Turkish coffee holds UNESCO status
Viral Trend: Dalgona coffee became a social media phenomenon during COVID-19

Data Source

☕ Comprehensive coffee data including origins, brewing methods, market trends, and rich cultural heritage

Connect with me: ARUN RAJESH BALAKRISHNAN