When I was 12/13, my sister and I had paper routes. Occasionally for that Saturday morning delivery run, we would get the option of coffee. Neither of my parents take it with any sugar, so I thought it was horrible.
I honestly don't remember when I learned to enjoy coffee. I have taken it various ways throughout my life. When I was in my early 20's, I would take it black. I moved on to taking it with cream and sugar and just sugar. Now I try to take it with splenda at home, and if I am at a coffeehouse, I will opt for an Americano with Sugar Free Vanilla flavoring. At least once per holiday season, I try to get an Egg Nog Latte, but I am very careful ordering those. Made incorrectly, the Egg Nog Latte is just a bad glass of runny sweet scrambled eggs.
The ways of enjoying coffee seem to be endless. I used to know a guy who said he liked his coffee like he liked his women, "blonde and sweet." The now defunct Vera's coffee shop in Minneapolis used to sell shirts that said "strong, hot, and full of cream." Agent Cooper from Twin Peaks liked his coffee "black as midnight on a moonless night."
Bob's Java Hut in Minneapolis sells a drink called an Octane Boost, which I believe to be coffee with copious amounts of espresso. By the way, it's eSpresso, not eXpresso. Most chain coffeeshops (Starbucks, Caribou, etc.) will make you a Depth Charge which is coffee with a shot of espresso. When consuming drinks of this nature, you can literally feel the moment that the caffeine hits your veins. You may also be prompted to hold aloft your magic sword and say "By the power of coffee...I HAVE THE POWER!" Don't try to turn your cat into a tiger. He won't like it.
I am going to leave this with a quote from film director David Lynch, "even a bad cup of coffee is better than no coffee at all."
I always thought it was weird that Dad drank it black like that. Mom at least added mocha mix. She later switched to milk. But Dad drank it black. And it was that instant kind too. I think they stopped using an actual coffee maker by the time I was 7 or 8.
ReplyDeleteI also found it odd that they would drink it all day, right up until bed time.
I don't like coffee. The only time I went out of my way to drink it was when I was working graveyard at that liquor store by CSUF. But I have never liked the taste.
On a separate note. I remember a time when I was about six, Dad was drinking Bailey's Irish Creme. I asked him if it was chocolate milk. He said yes. So I took a sip and reacted accordingly. He laughed of course.
Instant coffee is nasty. I can drink coffee black after a large meal, it seems to fit for me somehow. Unsweetened coffee with milk is just thick unsweetened coffee.
ReplyDeleteMany people drink coffee all day. I can drink it at night if I don't have to be anywhere in the morning, but Dan switches to Decaf after 3.
I have learned, over time, that really fresh coffee tastes far superior to the dirt syrup that you get in most convenience stores.
Instant coffee does have it's use though - it is outstanding if you want to add a coffee flavor to a recipe, like ice cream or fudge.