Canada has entered a tradition battle towards Donald Trump, and the battlefield is… espresso retailers.
That’s proper. Our normally mild-mannered mates north of the border have determined to dunk on Trump’s ongoing threats towards Canadian commerce items and his outrageous suggestion that Canada ought to meekly change into the 51st state. Quite than responding with aggression, Canadian espresso store house owners have quietly rechristened the “Americano” drink because the “Canadiano.” And the ingredient on this drink is pure, unfiltered Canadian defiance.
The renaming serves as a delicate type of protest towards U.S. insurance policies, together with proposed tariffs and feedback suggesting Canada ought to change into the 51st state. Whereas some café house owners purpose to stay apolitical, they embrace the “Canadiano” as a lighthearted option to help nationwide…
— AZ (@AzZaid) March 8, 2025
An Americano is an easy however elegant espresso drink made by diluting a shot (or two) of espresso with sizzling water. The result’s one thing that tastes a bit like drip espresso however with a smoother, richer taste. Legend has it that the Americano acquired its identify throughout World Warfare II, when American troopers stationed in Italy discovered the native espresso too robust for his or her tastes. To make it extra palatable, they added water, making a weaker model of the beloved Italian staple. And thus, the Americano was born. This backstory makes the Canadiano rebranding much more deliciously ironic. Turning a drink with roots in American insecurity into a logo of Canadian delight? That’s some master-level trolling.
Traditionally, food and drinks have at all times been handy pawns in political disputes. Throughout World Warfare I, anti-German sentiment ran so excessive in America that patriotic restaurateurs and diners desperately tried to rechristen hamburgers as “Liberty Sandwiches.” People additionally took purpose at frankfurters. These well-liked German-origin sausages have been swiftly rebranded “sizzling canine,” a reputation that caught much better than “Liberty Puppies” may need. Fortunately, “sizzling canine” was catchy sufficient to outlive future diplomatic breakdowns.
As they need to
— Sharty Bae FAN (@PettyNickiMinaj) March 8, 2025
Within the early 2000s, after France opposed America‘s Iraq Warfare marketing campaign (prompting the legendary “Freedom Fries” incident), some conservative People took the meals feud additional by refusing to purchase French wine or cheese. Some even known as Brie cheese “Liberty Brie.” Sadly for patriots in all places, “Liberty Brie” did not catch on. Extra just lately, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Western bars and eating places boldly stood as much as Vladimir Putin by renaming “Moscow Mule” cocktails as “Kyiv Mule.”
Lmfao I’m American however I help this stage of petty
— lex in tx (@alexissTyler) March 8, 2025
Certain, possibly renaming espresso drinks gained’t rewrite commerce offers in a single day — but it surely’s an undeniably satisfying type of resistance that each Canadians and People can recognize. Let’s additionally remind ourselves that beneath Canadians’ stereotypical civility simmers a nationwide sport the place “sorry” is muttered solely after you’ve completely pummeled your opponent.
