Our Dutch Hospitality:
The air smells of warmth with melty caramel and strong coffee beans as the sounds of joy fill the room and a kettle whistles softly in the background. Two friends sit across from each other, laughing and reflecting on the joys of their day, as one sets a plate between them full of stroopwafels waiting to be warmed and enjoyed. A single stroopwafel is placed on top of the steaming cup of coffee, allowing the caramel to melt ever so slightly, and for a few unhurried minutes, the world begins to slow and worries ease.
This is “koffie met iets lekkers,” meaning coffee with something sweet. In the Netherlands, it isn’t just a quick snack at home or on the go. It is a sign of welcome and a tradition of connection, or a creation of Gezelligheid. For Dutch Waffle Company, we value the simplicity of the act and the art of turning an ordinary moment into a memorable one.
History of “ koffie met iets lekkers”:
Now you might be asking yourself, what does “koffie met iets lekkers” have to do with us, and why should we care? Well, first, it is a ritual of Dutch life in the Netherlands. To them, coffee time isn’t just an odd hour of the day when you feel low on energy and need to get through the day. It is a moment of genuine hospitality and a door for connection and comfort. Many Dutch homes and even workplaces have pauses throughout their day, around ten in the morning and again in the middle of the afternoon for a cup of coffee. These breaks are called koffietijd, and they are always accompanied by a side of something sweet. That something could be a biscuit, a cheese sandwich, or most importantly, a stroopwafel.
This practice exemplifies an important element of Dutch culture, as previously mentioned, Gezelligheid. The word is about fostering a sense of community, togetherness, and shared enjoyment. It tries to evoke a feeling of belonging, coziness, warmth, and social interaction. To share a cup of coffee with something sweet is an embodiment of Gezelligheid to slow down, make space for others, and to enjoy the similarities of life through the presence of each other.
The beauty in this phrase doesn’t stem from luxury or perfection, which means that you don’t need the perfect china or the greatest preparation. It’s just coffee, something sweet, and connections that go beyond the speed of time. In our world that prioritizes productivity and due dates, the Dutch tradition reminds us to pause, breathe, and enjoy the life and company that has been awarded to us.
What is a Stroopwafel?
Before we can fully understand the magic of koffie met iets lekkers, we first have to understand the story of how a simple cookie has gone from Gouda to an international favorite.
The stroopwafel began its origins in the city of Gouda in the Netherlands, and it is believed to have been first created in 1810 by a baker named Gerard Kamphuisen. It was made using leftover breadcrumbs and dough that were sweetened with syrup and became the first version of this tasty treat that is now filled with caramel. They were first crafted as an affordable snack for the working class and were especially enjoyed among the lower social class who couldn’t afford more expensive baked goods. They have since become a symbol of Dutch craftsmanship and tradition.
The traditional stroopwafel is a treat made from two thin, crispy waffle-like cookies sandwiched together with a caramel syrup filling. The name stroopwafel translates to “syrup waffle” in English. It can be enjoyed as a snack or dessert, but is often placed on top of a cup of hot coffee or tea, allowing the caramel to soften and the cookie to warm.
Today, the Dutch Waffle Company continues that tradition, bringing the customs of home to life and allowing us to share in their heritage while keeping the same goal of bringing people together through delicious treats.
What We Can Learn from the Dutch Tradition
Because we can see and understand the customers, there are a couple of things that we can learn from them.
Learn to allow slowness in the fast-pacedness of our world
The Dutch daily coffee breaks, or what is koffietijd, is an act of defiance against the modern rules of life that have been placed on us. Instead of multitasking, getting things done before five in the afternoon, and being quick and efficient, people sit, relax, take off their shoes, and truly listen to the people around them. The days of our lives go by so fast, and time is never on our side, but these traditions can remind us that we shouldn’t waste time worrying or rushing to complete something. We should learn to reconnect with ourselves and others before time runs out.
The stroopwafel is a tool in this tradition because it is not instant gratification. You have to wait, which teaches you to have patience for the caramel to reach its most perfect gooeyness. This shows us that sometimes slowing down is the reward of a good day and an even sweeter treat.
Finding ways to bridge the connection, maybe through a sweet treat
The act of sharing food is common among many cultures. It creates understanding and connection, turns strangers into friends, and offers a simple “I see you and I welcome you.” In the Netherlands, this tradition isn’t just a simple drink and snack; it is a way to strengthen connections and share love.
It shows us to take a minute and offer a friend something as simple as a sweet to show them that we want them to sit and talk for a while. It becomes the bridge that offers comfort in the thought that they are welcome in your space and that you want them to stay because you value how they are doing. Whether it’s at your house, in a park, at work, or even in a classroom, the gesture can transform the meaning of our moments.
Incorporate hospitality into your daily lives, because everyone deserves to feel welcome
In Dutch culture, hospitality is not a daunting task. It is not the perfection of a living space or the perfect arrangement of food. It is a planned time that begins with a simple invitation or opportunity. The first instinct is to put the kettle on and offer your guest a stroopwafel as something sweet.
This approach redefines what hospitality can mean for us. It is no longer a performance or a stress, but instead a routine or tradition to live by. Many times, all it takes is something warm and comforting or refreshing and cool to be a nice gesture.
How to implement them
To enjoy these traditions or to live by them, you don’t have to be from the Netherlands or even have been there. You can recreate this tradition in your homes, your offices, or even in public spaces. It is not about the confinement of the space but about the genuineness of the gesture. It is about the laughs, the smiles, and the conversations that are shared. It is the comfort in knowing that you belong and are wanted in the space that you have been welcomed into.
The first step is just to have your stroopwafels on hand and your invitations open.
For the Dutch, sweetness has always been about more than taste. It is about genuine connection. Each stroopwafel carries our goal and the truth that joy lives in the unexpected moments and the small details, the intentionality, the gesture, and the simplicity.
So the next time you enjoy a stroopwafel with your coffee, you’re not just having a treat—you’re taking part in a delicious story centuries in the making.
