A Love for Coffee: How One Beverage Socializes Us Worldwide
Who could have ever guessed that one of the next big things in gourmet movements could be coffee for such a long time? It used to be that coffee was just part of a meal, but now knowing about it is an important part of most foodie repertoires. But more important than if you know some Jamaican Blue from some Java beans, coffee is a beverage for socializing, and a love for coffee helps make it easier to meet people worldwide.
No one can quite pinpoint the latest coffee boom, only comment on the far-flung places in the rural United States where it's now possible to get an organic cup of coffee (thanks, Newman's Organic and McDonalds). A large number of university cafeterias across the country fought for their right to fair-trade coffee back in the 1990s, so you'd think that this coffee trend, especially with foodies, would be a little over by now.
But for a little bit of history on coffee: not every country is capable of growing the beans, because they require weather conditions that are pretty precise. The most popular place that exports coffee is actually Columbia. And most important of all, espresso is not a variety of bean! This is the biggest beginner mistake that people seem to make. Espresso is just finely-packed coffee that is ground very, very small, making it more potent. The machines were only developed in northern Italy about a hundred years ago, so it doesn't even go back in history that far. It's just so great and potent that it took the coffee world by storm.
Many coffee drinkers think that getting serious means switching to espresso, which definitely enjoyed a surge in popularity thanks to the whole Starbucks movement. The thing with espresso, though, is that it's just a stronger version of regular coffee, which is something that a lot of people don't quite realize. In fact, espresso machines didn't even exist until 1901. But those with a love for coffee who are looking for a stronger drink, remember this when you're ordering your espresso: the really, really good kind should be able to have some serious hang-time when you toss in that spoon of sugar. Otherwise, you might as well just drink regular coffee.
Learning to order coffee is one of the most important skills you can have as a socializing grown-up, and if you're going to be traveling the world and going out with people, there's no better time to learn than right now. If everyone else is ordering drinks with actual names, and not asking for "a shot" of something, then you need to not order a single or even double espresso. It will be much smaller than their drinks, and you will feel awkward. If bitter things aren't really your taste, then go for anything with mocha or leche, as you'll get chocolate and milk to cut the taste of the coffee.
If you're not a fan of strong coffee, or don't want to be running around like a speed freak, then get something that's mostly milk and foam. Look for things involving "leche" in the title, as it will mean that you're enjoying some mild coffee with a whole lot of cream or milk. And when in doubt, just order what looks like a larger coffee drink. That way, you'll be able to sip slowly. A love for coffee will not be made by forcing yourself to drink too much of it in a bitter form.
One of the best parts about drinking coffee, especially socially, is the snacks! From Holland to Argentina, you can expect at least a couple of cookies and sometimes even a glass of orange juice, so there's always something to pick at while you're enjoying your coffee. It's also nice, if you haven't eaten, to put something in your stomach that isn't just a cup of caffeine.
Don't forget: the main purpose of drinking any sort of beverage with a group of friends is to socialize. You don't need to be an expert on coffee, or even have a serious love for coffee, to go out and use the excuse of an afternoon cup to make a great friend or get to know a new place better. Just do it. - 17273
No one can quite pinpoint the latest coffee boom, only comment on the far-flung places in the rural United States where it's now possible to get an organic cup of coffee (thanks, Newman's Organic and McDonalds). A large number of university cafeterias across the country fought for their right to fair-trade coffee back in the 1990s, so you'd think that this coffee trend, especially with foodies, would be a little over by now.
But for a little bit of history on coffee: not every country is capable of growing the beans, because they require weather conditions that are pretty precise. The most popular place that exports coffee is actually Columbia. And most important of all, espresso is not a variety of bean! This is the biggest beginner mistake that people seem to make. Espresso is just finely-packed coffee that is ground very, very small, making it more potent. The machines were only developed in northern Italy about a hundred years ago, so it doesn't even go back in history that far. It's just so great and potent that it took the coffee world by storm.
Many coffee drinkers think that getting serious means switching to espresso, which definitely enjoyed a surge in popularity thanks to the whole Starbucks movement. The thing with espresso, though, is that it's just a stronger version of regular coffee, which is something that a lot of people don't quite realize. In fact, espresso machines didn't even exist until 1901. But those with a love for coffee who are looking for a stronger drink, remember this when you're ordering your espresso: the really, really good kind should be able to have some serious hang-time when you toss in that spoon of sugar. Otherwise, you might as well just drink regular coffee.
Learning to order coffee is one of the most important skills you can have as a socializing grown-up, and if you're going to be traveling the world and going out with people, there's no better time to learn than right now. If everyone else is ordering drinks with actual names, and not asking for "a shot" of something, then you need to not order a single or even double espresso. It will be much smaller than their drinks, and you will feel awkward. If bitter things aren't really your taste, then go for anything with mocha or leche, as you'll get chocolate and milk to cut the taste of the coffee.
If you're not a fan of strong coffee, or don't want to be running around like a speed freak, then get something that's mostly milk and foam. Look for things involving "leche" in the title, as it will mean that you're enjoying some mild coffee with a whole lot of cream or milk. And when in doubt, just order what looks like a larger coffee drink. That way, you'll be able to sip slowly. A love for coffee will not be made by forcing yourself to drink too much of it in a bitter form.
One of the best parts about drinking coffee, especially socially, is the snacks! From Holland to Argentina, you can expect at least a couple of cookies and sometimes even a glass of orange juice, so there's always something to pick at while you're enjoying your coffee. It's also nice, if you haven't eaten, to put something in your stomach that isn't just a cup of caffeine.
Don't forget: the main purpose of drinking any sort of beverage with a group of friends is to socialize. You don't need to be an expert on coffee, or even have a serious love for coffee, to go out and use the excuse of an afternoon cup to make a great friend or get to know a new place better. Just do it. - 17273
About the Author:
When Damian Papworth has a major party he pulls out the 12 cup coffee maker. For typical mornings though one cup coffee makers are more appropriate
posted by X - Men at
1:48 PM
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