By Aleena Ann Jose
It is very noticeable how much people in Kuwait are growing obsessed with coffee and new cafes in recent years. One of the main reasons for this obsession is caffeine, as once it’s a part of your daily routine, it’s hard to avoid it. According to a research paper reviewing caffeine use disorder, published in the Journal of Caffeine Research, a nontrivial proportion of caffeine users become dependent on caffeine, including a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control caffeine use. I have seen my friends often say, “I haven’t had my first coffee for the day yet, I cannot function properly.” It is because coffee has become an irreplaceable part of daily life.
Beyond the love for coffee, Kuwait’s cafes play a major role for the growing love of coffee. Many people are not just coffee lovers but also admirers of the aesthetic coffee shops in the country. Discussions on Reddit mentioned that most people in Kuwait have a habit of visiting coffee shops at least four to five times a week, despite coffee being relatively expensive in Kuwait. Regular customers are willing to spend as it has become a part of their daily routine.
In recent years, Kuwait has seen a rise in the number of cafes opening. Apart from international coffee brands, there are several homegrown brands that have emerged. With Kuwait’s pleasant winter weather, spending evenings at a cozy café with a warm cup of coffee has become common.
People in Kuwait visit cafes for a variety of reasons. Some visit regularly to study or work in a calm environment, others come to socialize with friends. Many cafes are designed to be photogenic and attractive spaces, rather than a simple place only for serving coffees. This makes coffee shops more than place to have coffee, but somewhere people visit to enjoy the ambience and vibe.
Another reason why people in Kuwait flock to coffee shops is the lack of entertainment options compared to other GCC countries such as the UAE, Qatar or Bahrain. For some, coffee shops have become spaces where people take breaks from pressures at work and just step outside for some fresh air.
Coffee has become so integral to people’s lifestyle in Kuwait to the point where coffee shops are consistently busy throughout the day. There isn’t a specific time of the day that people regularly prefer. They like to come in whenever they feel like just having a break. With snacks such as croissants, bagels, sandwiches readily available, cafes also offer a quick and convenient alternative to restaurants. As the number of coffee shops continue to grow in Kuwait, it raises an interesting question: do the people prefer opening of more cafes, or would they like more varieties of entertainment options?
