I still remember my first experience at Starbucks. We were on a family vacation, though I don’t recall the destination, and my parents were letting us order coffee. I stared up at that board entirely overwhelmed, I had no idea what anything meant. The only thing I knew was coffee. Even that as in a vague sense of something adults drank every morning; this moment was like a rite of passage. The kind barista recommended a caramel macchiato; it was something that was sweet enough to cover the perceived bitter coffee flavor. Her recommendation was perfect, and thus my love affair with coffee began. As time went on I would soon find answers to the question: Why Coffee?
Truly, I don’t think I had a choice but to eventually love coffee. My parents have always been avid coffee drinkers. I would wake up to the sound of my father grinding beans in the morning, and eventually the smell would waft into my bedroom. At this point, I consumed what our family affectionately refers to “Coffee with my sugar.” Time passed, and my taste buds evolved.
I’ve now grown to savor what good coffee is. Bold, light, acidic, full body, hot, cold, drip, espresso, black, milk, sweet, unsweetened…I’ve tried and loved it all. I especially love trying local roasts, as I feel it tells a lot about the shop itself. I’ve begun collecting beans, bringing home the flavors of a recent trip, and brewing them as I share about my ventures. Some have chosen to call me a coffee snob, but if I’m being honest I think it’s a compliment.
It wasn’t until college that I truly began to realize that a trip to the coffee shop was beginning to answer a question I never knew I had, “Why Coffee?” It was in these moments I realized that these trips can result in so much more than a cup of coffee. It has never really been about the caffeine boost, though there was plenty of coffee consumed after all-night cram sessions. Rather, I’ve found that coffee has a way of bringing people together on neutral ground. Take a moment and think of all the reasons you’ve gone to sit at a coffee shop (truly sit, not grab quick cup and go):
A date.
A study group.
A work meeting.
A job interview.
Catching up with an old friend.
A quiet place to read, study, blog.
A spot that offers free Wi-Fi in the heart of a strange city.
I have curated so many quality friendships from time spent at a coffee shop. Inspiration has been found for projects when my co-workers and I left the office and sat over coffee. There’s something about a coffee shop that sets my nerves at ease and I can feel at home in a strange city.
A good, local coffee shop is one of the first things is seek out when I visit a new city. It is the place I can get a feel of the culture I am in, relax while I research activities, or unwind and reflect from a busy day. Most places help cultivate the local art scene by allowing photographers and artists to hang their work, and musicians to entertain. It is at the coffee shop I feel like I am truly discovering what it means to be a part of the city.
My goal here is that each time you come to read, it’s like pulling up a seat at a coffee shop with me. A place we can find neutral ground and be real, honest and open. Perhaps one of my travels will inspire you for your next trip, or you can help me find local favorites. Coffee shop conversations are some of my favorite, and I’m so glad you’re here.