Why drinking coffee in Iran has become so complicated

Coffee as lifestyle vs. beverage

• Some see specialty cafés as “selling a lifestyle” and using branding to justify high prices; others argue coffee is now more about the coffee itself (origin, roast, flavor) than ever.
• Several commenters say treating coffee as a hobby is no different from wine, whiskey, gaming PCs, or sourdough: paying more for something you care about is fine.
• Others note that mocking “bougie coffee” is itself a lifestyle signal.

Complexity, choice, and frustration

• A major theme is annoyance at overcomplicated menus and “performative” ordering rituals when some people just want “a coffee.”
• Counterpoint: in most places you can still ask for “drip,” “espresso,” or “house coffee” and get a default; the real issue is discomfort with choice, not genuine impossibility.
• Some invoke the “paradox of choice”: too many options can be stressful, but total lack of choice is also undesirable.
• Suggestions: cafés could define a clear default drink for customers who don’t care about details.

Third‑wave coffee and taste debates

• Long thread on light vs dark roast, bean origin, and brewing methods.
• One side: third‑wave coffee overemphasizes light roasts, tasting notes, and acidity, making espresso “lemon juice.”
• Other side: there is real, discernible variation; specialty doesn’t have to be pretentious, and some third‑wave shops do offer darker or more “traditional” roasts.
• Italian espresso is defended as a robust, everyday standard; others argue global “third wave” craft has surpassed it in variety and technique, even if Italy defined the original style.

Pricing, ethics, and exploitation

• Some justify higher prices by pointing to historically exploitative coffee supply chains and argue that “cheap coffee” expectations are themselves a product of underpaid labor.
• Others roll their eyes at affluent consumers moralizing their luxury purchases.

Iran‑specific angles and globalization

• Several commenters say the piece feels like a generic “third‑wave coffee” rant with little uniquely Iranian beyond a few historical references.
• Others note an enduring Iranian tradition of being obsessive about non‑alcoholic drinks (tea, cordials, doogh), so fancy coffee fits an existing cultural pattern.
• There’s curiosity about specialty cafés in Tehran and how global coffee culture reproduces similar “third places” across cities.

Meta: AI authorship and HN relevance

• A substantial subthread debates whether the article is LLM‑generated or LLM‑polished, and whether that undermines its credibility.
• Some worry about undislosed AI text polluting discourse; others don’t care as long as factual claims hold and are cross‑checked.