Why Coffee, part 1
It’s pretty much the lifeblood consumable. Most people I know drink it. According to some baseline research, Americans lead the world in the number of cups consumed per day, a whopping 400 million. Globally, estimates sit at 2.25 billion, yes, billion, cups consumed daily.
There are a few things I’ve noticed that permeate my life, and I will write about them. For my friends, family, and colleagues, they know how integral this black gold, or as my non-caffeinated friend calls it, “the Devil’s turpentine,” is to my existence.
The only times I haven’t consumed coffee as an adult were out of need, such as in preparation for some sort of field training where it wasn’t readily accessible, or if somehow I missed the opportunity. Usually, I pay for these sorts of events dearly with the nag of a genuine head banger. So why am I so enthralled, addicted, in love with coffee? Why is anyone?
It runs deeper than caffeine. I will say, my body is so accustomed to it now that I’ll know by mid-morning the regret of skipping the morning cup. Then I usually fly across town on my lunch break to the nearest green or orange and pink themed shop and try to play catch up for the morning’s lack of the good stuff.
I think half of the reason I like getting coffee so much is just simply the act of heading to a shop. I enjoy the human interaction of ordering, passing a few quips back and forth, and then heading on my way with the tasty stuff in the console. And frankly, I like drinking the stuff.
My wife will tell you I love my rituals, and no sooner are we in the car heading out for the morning am I planning my coffee stop, sometimes stops, for the outing.
Some of the blessings of having family spread so far aroud the country and traveling around the world for work are simply in the exposure to people, places, and experiences that I’d never have had otherwise. When it comes to picking up a coffee, I know the ol’ trusty big name shops will usually do the job, but I’ve always liked poking around the local, one-off places. The character and atmoshpere casually lure their visitors into a cushy chair and a strong java. In my opinion, the best ones have brick fireplaces (life goals).
Something neat about coffee shops is that no matter how stuffy I might look with my clean cut appearance in comparison to the Birkenstocks behind the counter, 99 percent of the time a quick joke and a toothy grin are all it takes to break the ice. It’s neat to hear mom and pop store employees pridefully share their wares. I enjoy asking about the different blends and methods of preparation. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or who you are, people can usually find enough common grounds. Yes, Dad joke complete.
Some of my wife and my first interactions were at our student center in the vicinity of, you guessed it, the coffee shop. The socializing and mingling that takes place around these establishments is conducive to prospective romances and old friendships alike, and if you’re really lucky like I was, sometimes both.
As mentioned in the beginning, the number of cups of coffee drank daily worldwide is staggering. A while back I watched a mini documentary on coffee preparation across several different continents. The styles all differ some, but at the heart of it is tradition, a little addiction, and love of these mysterious little roasted wonders.
- MJVW