I’ll tell you right now; I love coffee. No, not that sugar infused, drowned in milk, and topped with whip cream mess most people associate it with. There are few things more pleasing in the morning or during an afternoon siesta than a freshly brewed cup of roasted beans. Sure, I like a bit of creamer here and there, but never enough to drown out the actual flavor of the coffee; more so to compliment it. Now, if you like your sugary drink piled high that’s perfectly fine, it’s your taster’s choice (Har-har), but why do people like to demonize coffee as some ritualistic, addictive concoction that becomes some glorified obstacle to overcome?
I blame it on a lot of misconceptions as well people not taking the time to understand how their body reacts to natural caffeine. Coffee is rich in antioxidants, aids in digestion, improves gall bladder functionality, opens the bronchial tubes, relieving the congestion of colds and flu, acts as a natural diuretic, and can improve Heart health when enjoyed in moderation. As with literally anything we Humans consume, moderation is key. About 300mg (2-3 cups) is considered the average amount of coffee to be consumed by an adult per day before you start venturing into “Is this still safe?” territory. You’re still consuming pure caffeine after all. Also, if you’re sensitive to caffeine then the proper course of action is pretty obvious. In fact, I’ve noticed a lot of the negativity towards coffee stems from those who are sensitive to its contents. Hm…
Coffee’s documented history dates as far back as the 15th Century (but can very likely be traced further) in the Sufi Monasteries of Yemen. From there it would spread through Mecca, Cairo, the Middle East, South India, Persia, Turkey, North America, and beyond. I won’t bore you to tears with a full recap of the bean’s Global Tour de Force, but this gives you an idea of its reach and historical origins. The World loves coffee!
I can trace my first real sip back to when I was about 14. It was an early morning and I was on my way to one of my Summer jobs and had stopped at a local market with my mother. We scooped up some breakfast (a bacon, egg, n’ cheese on a cinnamon raisin bagel for me) and were deciding on beverages. Now, my father was a biiiiig coffee drinker. Every morning, at the crack of dawn you could smell that pot of joe brewing and ready to go. Growing up, I didn’t really fancy the scent. In fact, it kind of turned my stomach at times. Today was different.
It seems my tastes were starting to change and grow, because I caught a good whiff of some fresh French Roast and just had to give it a try. In a bid to make my first experience as natural as possible I put just barely a teaspoon of brown sugar into the mix. Admittedly, the first sip was more bitter than I had anticipated, but I wasn’t going to give up and most certainly wasn’t going to just waste the whole cup! With each sip the flavor and intoxicating bouquet became more and more appealing. Soon, I’d finished my cup before my first hour of work was even over.
As the years went by coffee continued to be a staple of my morning routine. My mornings just didn’t feel the same without at least one cup of that dark, rich beverage. Many have inquired about my stance on coffee’s counterpart, tea, and I can say that I am rather indifferent towards it. I do enjoy some refreshing cups of leaves from time to time, but for me it’s more of an alternative when there aren’t any beans available. Oh, I should get something out of the way; I’ve been calling coffee beans this whole time when it is in fact, a seed! These seeds are derived from the cherries of certain species of Coffea. So, the more you know!
It was when I first moved to New York that I really began to take note of just how much people’s tastes vary concerning coffee. Walk a few blocks up or down the Upper West Side, through Time Square, or down in the Bronx and you’ll come across an endless sea of local and franchised coffee shops. Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts stand predominantly on nearly every possible corner, and inside every possible market, hotel, and/or convention center. The smell of coffee literally permeates throughout the city.
It’s the local coffee shops that are the REAL treats, however. You know the kind; Tucked away between a diner and ice cream parlor, or nuzzled neatly into a bookstore just out of sight. Here is where a good roast truly shines. You see, the environment affects the flavor of your cup o’ Joe just as much as the roast, heat, and origin of the seed. Since taste begins with smell, the flavor of your coffee can be altered long before your first sip. Say, for example, you were drinking coffee at the beach; The salty brine of the ocean would adjust your sense of taste and nearly over power the smoothness of the brew. In fact, it would enhance the already acidic nature of it.
This is why it’s actually optimal to enjoy a cup inside the coffee shop itself where the consistent bouquet of liquid gold permeates the air and enhances the overall flavor of everything you taste. I don’t think I’ll ever give up coffee, and there’s honestly no reason to. Whatever your beverage of choice though, enjoy it to the fullest! Cheers, friends!