In the vibrant month of March, the library meticulously planned and hosted a unique coffee culture theme activity titled "Travel in the Name of Coffee"，attracting over 20 iZJUers. The aim of this event was to trace the epic of coffee, savor global flavors, and understand the rise of Chinese coffee, presenting a coffee culture feast for teachers and students. It allowed the aroma of coffee and the warmth of culture to permeate the library.
The "Travel in the Name of Coffee" - Coffee Culture Exhibition lasted from March to April 2025 and was divided into five sections: Origin - The Legends of Coffee; Civilization - The Expedition of a Single Bean; Exploration - The Global Coffee Flavor Map; Chinese Coffee: From Imported Good to a New Cultural Symbol; and Having a Cup of Coffee at the International Campus. Through rich historical materials and exquisite exhibition board designs, the exhibition took visitors on a journey through time and into the millennium - long legend of coffee. Many teachers and students said that the exhibition not only allowed them to deeply understand the historical context and cultural connotations of coffee but also made them feel the unique charm of coffee as a global cultural symbol. The faint aroma of coffee lingering in the exhibition area added an immersive sensory experience to the visit.
Figure 1. Exhibition Area of the Coffee Culture Exhibition
On March 16, 2025, the "Slow Roasting in Time - Coffee Tasting Activity" officially kicked off in the library. At the beginning of the event, teachers and students visited the coffee culture exhibition area under the guidance of student assistant JUN and library teachers. The docents vividly introduced the planning concept, design ingenuity of the exhibition, and the diverse charm of global coffee culture. The audience listened intently, as if they were in the long history of coffee, witnessing how a single coffee bean made its way from the mountains of Africa to the world stage.
Figure 2. Audience Visiting the Exhibition Area
Figure 3. Audience Visiting the Exhibition Area
A barista from iLOUNG demonstrated the professional operation of an espresso machine. From grinding the beans, to tamping the grounds, and finally extracting the espresso—the barista's graceful movements and precise explanations drew everyone in, leaning closer to observe with keen interest. Under the guidance of the barista, some students even got hands - on experience in coffee making and latte art. The roar of the coffee machine, the grinding sound of coffee beans, and the smooth flow of milk foam intertwined into a unique coffee symphony, and the rich aroma filling the air was intoxicating.
Figure 4. Participants Trying to Make Coffee
Figure 5. Participants Trying to Make Coffee
Figure 6. Participants Trying to Make Coffee
In the "Hand - Pouring Roundtable" activity, members of the PhiloCoffee Club led everyone into the in - depth coffee tasting session. They hand - poured coffee beans from different producing areas and gave explanations around dimensions such as aroma, flavor, acidity, and body. Teachers and students tasted coffee with chocolate and fruit flavors while communicating about coffee culture with students from different countries. Everyone sat around, chatting and sharing their coffee stories, and the atmosphere on - site was warm and lively.
Figure 7. Members of the PhiloCoffee Club Hand - Pouring Coffee
Figure 8. Participants Trying Hand - Pouring Coffee
Figure 9. People Sitting Around and Exchanging Their Understanding of Coffee
This event attracted a large number of teachers and students. Through multi - dimensional interactions such as visiting the exhibition, hands - on practice, and tasting, everyone not only broadened their understanding of coffee culture but also felt a cross - border humanistic resonance in the lingering aroma. Many participants said that this was a unique experience that both enlightened their taste buds and nourished their souls.
In the future, the library will continue to focus on the needs of teachers and students, plan more cultural activities with warmth and depth, and inject new vitality into campus life. With coffee as a link, the stories here will never end - wherever the aroma spreads, it echoes the world.
Article: QIN Difan
Video: YE Xiaoyu(UGs of BMI)