It all started with carrots.
Before I had children, I hated cooked carrots. Then, there was a pregnancy craving somewhere along the way. Now I LOVE them. They love me. Steamed carrots, butter, sea salt, and me… we’re a happy bunch. Strange, yes? I thought so, too. But it got me thinking about our taste buds, and acquiring a taste for things we think we dislike, and whether it’s possible.
And now, the coffee affair.
I’ve never been a coffee drinker.
(Unless you count that half a year in high school in which I often had a cup of crappy donut-shop coffee with loads of cream and sugar in order to stay awake during a particularly boring first-period class. I don’t, especially because I actually hated every single cup.)
Anyhow, for some odd reason I recently got the notion in my head that I should acquire the taste of coffee.
People seem to really enjoy it.
I mean, REALLY enjoy it.
It’s like a whole culture unto itself. There are different methods, types, and preparations. There are code words and things that confuse the heck out of me. There are professions of undying love, with passion and obsessive certainty. It made me wonder what exactly I was missing out on!
(Side note: I was at the airport the other day waiting for my flight with Canaan, and since I don’t really know how to order coffee without sounding like a total dork, I just got the one that sounded pretty: Peruvian Sunrise. I have no idea what it was, but it was yummy, thank goodness).
Coffee is loved all over the world, and it is very much a social drink. There’s also a lot of history behind it. I found this quote on my google travels tonight:
As more and more coffeehouses sprung up in the Arab Empire, an association of coffee with social interaction began to form. Arabs began to view coffee as a social drink. But more than that they saw it is an intellectual drink. In fact, Arabs referred to coffee as “the milk of thinkers and chess players.”
And that was my biggest reason for wanting to acquire the taste: because it is a social drink with centuries of history that many people count as one of life’s finest pleasures.
Then, of course, since I am a natural-minded mama, I wondered, “Is it healthy?”. In all of my reading and researching thus far I’ve come to the conclusion that it is sorta neutral on the natural living scale. There are many claims of it having super health benefits. Contrasted with that, however, are the purported evils of caffeine, and the loads of cream and sugar that often go along with the coffee culture.
Of the most stringent and dedicated health nuts I know – pretty well all of them still indulge in a cup or two a day (but probably without the sugar).
So after having thought about it for a few months, made a few spreadsheets and held a few committee meetings (what can I say? I was raised Baptist!), when my in-laws were visiting us in Tiny Town last month, and brewing coffee everyday, I made myself a cup. With a touch of cream and sugar (I planned to wean myself off these when I’d acquired the taste of coffee itself).
Lo and behold…
I liked it! Really!
Fast forward a month and a few cups of joe later, I arrive at my in-laws’ house and my Italian father-in-law makes me a cappuccino on his new fancy espresso machine.
Lo and behold…
I LOVED it!
Since I love to figure out ways to make healthy versions of not-so-healthy treats, I began to scour the internet for some options. I have developed a taste for good coffee already, and do not enjoy the cheap stuff. Today Chris and I made an organic cappuccino sweetened with a touch of real maple syrup, made with homemade almond milk. It was heavenly. A new favourite for both of us.
I’m looking forward to trying a latte, maybe an americano, and as many fair-trade, organic blends as I can find.
A love affair has officially begun.
Do you drink coffee? Was it love at first sip, or did you have to acquire the taste? Any recommendations for me?
Aine
I’m just reading this now so my comment (tip) is probably no longer needed. But for future coffee drinkers I would have to say, don’t pigeon hole yourself into just one type (flavour) of coffee. Enjoy espresso, latte, cappuccino, caf, decaf, iced coffee, dark roast, French roast, light roast, Arabica, Columbian . . . the list goes on and on. Don’t compare one to the other. It would be similar to liking walnuts but not allowing yourself to enjoy Brazil nuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts and macadamia nuts because, well because you like walnuts. I am a Canadian gal and have friends and family who will only drink coffee from a certain chain cafe. They are missing out but refuse to budge. Experiment, find a favourite but it’s okay to stray once in a while. If we don’t try other coffees, how can we know what our favourite is?
Edie
My tastes have changed a bit since I was young; used to not like olives now I love them but I still don’t like mushrooms. I’ve been a coffee lover for a long time and stopped drinking it a few months ago when I had become sick with a stomach virus and when I tried to go back to drinking it my stomach would become upset, it was the creamer I was using. I’ve slowly incorporated it back in a bit but without the creamer which was hard to overcome, I like my coffee creamy like a latte. Being sick was a blessing in disguise because I realized milk and gluten was causing me some issues and feel much better now that I’m not eating/drinking them. I still eat yogurt and kefir though, which I make myself 🙂 I think I’m going to try a cold brew coffee that has less acid in it and is healther for you than hot brewed coffee.
Nicole Bennett
Love this, Beth, your whole purposed desire to become a coffee-drinker… it’s just what I wish my hubby would do so we could enjoy it together. I might have to email him your post. 🙂
I drink mine with half’n’half and honey or agave, and make it in the french press or occasionally an americano with my moka stove-top espresso maker. I’m hoping to get a real espresso maker someday! Now that we’re at my parents’ house I indulge in my mom’s creamer —
it’s at least the “natural” version.
But seriously for regular coffee, you can’t make a better cup than with a french press. I brew mine with a little alcohol-free vanilla extract for a fun twist. My ideal is half-caf because I’m so easily addicted (I try to get swiss-water processed decaf rather than chemically-processed decaf). Just found a coffee I love at Peet’s (do that have that in Canada) called Moka Java and it comes in regular and the good kind of decaf.
Mmmm. coffee. My dad just filled the coffee pot with grounds for tomorrow morning so I’m smelling it as I write about. <3 <3 <3
Beth Ricci
I don’t think we have Peet’s 🙁
I think I really need to get a French Press… seems to be the way to go! And adding vanilla is another I’ve heard from various sources… I think I shall try that! Right now I’m loving having real maple syrup in my cappuccinos. SO yum.
Handsfull
I never used to drink coffee – just couldn’t see the point of it. And then I started cleaning houses for elderly people who had just come out of hospital, and they almost all wanted to talk more than they wanted clean houses! So out of politeness I started saying ‘yes’ to a cup of coffee… but with 3 sugars so I couldn’t taste the horrible coffee taste as much. Lol! Then I realised that coffee wasn’t that bad tasting after all, that moved on to actually liking coffee, and now I have a minimum of 2 coffees a day. AND I’ve managed to wean myself down to 1 sugar, which I’m ridiculously proud of.
I don’t like it when it feels like I’m medicating myself with coffee when I’m tired, so I try to just keep it to 2 cups a day.
I love that it started with carrots for you! Wonder what other new tastes you’ll develop over the next few years?
Beth Ricci
Yeah, I almost see it as a personal challenge now – what new things can I learn to love? I think if I can do it, anyone can!
Kacie
Yes, I do have recommendations! You sound like you like espresso drinks. I do as well, and espresso makers are expensive. Try the aeropress coffee maker, which is cheap and you can find it on amazon.
Beth Ricci
we were actually given an espresso machine, from my father-in-law… it’s his “old” one… and it’s awesome! any drink recs for me?
Coffeebeings
I love coffee… It’s my best treat! 🙂 Enjoy your journey of discovery. 🙂
Beth Ricci
thanks! i assume you loved coffee from your name 🙂
Katie Stanley
After claiming for years that I didn’t like coffee I finally had the “good stuff”. I was in a friend’s wedding and the favor was a linen bag with a tiny plastic sealed bag inside with the BEST coffee ever! I took it home ground it and used a friend’s coffee maker. So smooth and delicous with a touch of coconut milk and honey. Currently I just have a bag of organic Starbucks beans which aren’t my favorite but it works. I’ve been making lots of frappucinnos. Your capucinno sounds amazing! In fact it’s a reminder to me that I was going to make more almond milk today…. 🙂
Beth Ricci
yes, i’m looking forward to tasting the really high-quality stuff. and i can’t wait to make my own frappuccinos! any good recipes?
Katie @Nourishing Simplicity
I was getting ready to comment and then saw that I already did!
Here are two that I like: http://nourishingsimplicity.org/2012/05/coconut-frappuccino.html
http://nourishingsimplicity.org/2012/08/power-house-peppermint-mocha-frappuccino.html
Or a mocha: http://nourishingsimplicity.org/2012/12/a-sweet-winter-treat-peppermint-mocha-refined-sugar-free-with-dairy-free-and-vegan-options.html
Dad (Father in law)
Welcome to the “dark side”
Beth Ricci
🙂
Olivia Brant
Mmmmm…coffee! Yes, we have quite the scandelous love affair going on! To me it’s a comfort drink. I love my morning ritual of curling up on the couch with my cup of coffee and devotional (after the kids and hubs are out of the house!) And there is nothing better than meeting a good friend at a coffee shop. Coffee has gotten me through many late nights of homework (math -ugh!). My family knows that coffee is the cure when this momma gets grumpy. Oh! One more thing – sisters make the best coffee – it’s a perfect combination of love, warmth and comfort!
Beth Ricci
yes, i love the warmth and comfort. i feel completely disloyal, but i *may* love it more than tea (gasp!)
Alicia
That creation at the end is more than amazing, right there. Oh organic almond milk lattes, and cappuccinos. Yes, there you are. Welcome to the dark fair trade wonderful ness side, you know I love.
Beth Ricci
thanks for the welcome, dear friend. xo.
Laura
LOVE coffee. I think it all started for me when I worked at Starbucks in university. Before then I was an occasional drinker at best, and usually I didn’t like it. But as I started to learn about coffee and different ways to make it and different varieties, I started to know how I liked it. And I also learned to leave that cream and sugar crap OUT (unless, of course, indulging in a caramel macchiato).
Now I drink (at least) a cup daily. Wish we had an espresso maker but the Keurig does the trick.
Beth Ricci
any starbucks tricks i should know? what is your fave thing to order?
Laura
The Caramel Macchiato is my go-to treat drink (Vanilla syrup, Steamed milk, Foam, Shots of esspresso poured over the foam so it sits on top, finished with caramel drizzle). Every once in a while, usually in the summer, I will stump a Starbucks employee with my very similar, off-menu frappe drink: I order a Vanilla bean frappuccino affogato style (it hurts my heart to explain what this is to the employees, but usually I have to. An affogato frappuccino has a shot (or two) of espresso on top rather than blended in.) Finally, finish with caramel drizzle, and you have awesome.
Also, you should check out Starbuck’s “secret menu”. It isn’t really a conspiracy – likely employees won’t know what you’re talking about if you give a name. They are just drinks someone has come up with. But technically, Starbucks should make any combination for you, so if any of these sound good, you could give it a go:
http://thefw.com/starbucks-secret-menu/
Other than that, I almost feel out of the loop now. Starbucks has changed a lot since I worked there. Even how they call drinks has changed, so I feel like I’m back to square one having no idea how to ask for a drink there.