I've always loved coffee but I came to understand the ritual of coffee drinking in lockdown. When nothing else was open, a little 'hole in the wall' coffee shop serving delicious local coffee almost onto the street was our sanctuary. The joy of fresh coffee when the world felt scary and crazy was something I will always hold dear. Joining a social distanced queue (standing in line!) for that precious cup was a never forgotten small moment of joy. Said hole in the wall coffee has now expanded and grown into two local cafes!
Tea has become a lovely distraction is now part of my day, but I have to confess that the enchanting coffee bean keeps calling and the magic elixir has been made its way back into my morning routine!
My real love affair with coffee started similarly. I was on a trip to Italy when I discovered a whole new level of coffee. I had found espresso. In Italy. There was no going back😋🤣🥰.
I just love reading about your journeys - from the introduction of something, to the exploration of it, all the way up to the enjoyment and the different ways you branch off and make, whatever it is, your own. Oh, and the memories you associate with the journey...even better!
Love this post!! I have SO many coffee memories with you!!
You forgot about Intelligentsia in Chicago, tucked away under the elevated train. This is where I tried my first oat milk latte (uh..what the heck is that??) because they made an extra one that no one showed up for. It is now something I actually really like and make at home because I don't use much dairy now! There's a little coffee cart here in Franklin called Southerner's and they have the best oat milk mochas!!
There was also La Colombe' in Chicago also tucked under the train station. I'd been drinking their Corsica blend for years (I learned that's also what they serve at the Four Seasons Hotels) and finally found the coffee shop, heaven!! I recently found the beans at my local WF and Sprouts!
Then, in Florida, there was the Jumanji coffee shop - an adorable artisan shop with handmade items for sale and a cute little patio (I don't actually know the real name, lol) and Black Tulip coffee we tried at the Naples farmer's market!
Funny you should mention "mocha" today. I have deemed different days of the week as different kinds of coffee or preparations to keep it fun. Mocha Mondays (because who doesn't need that little extra on a Monday?), Toss-up Tuesdays (whichever method I want - Moka pot, Nespresso, aeroccino, cold brew, etc.), Pour-over Wednesdays, Grind and Brew Thursdays and French Press Fridays!
I can't wait until our next visit when we can explore and drink coffee together again!
I didn't start drinking coffee until I worked at the racetrack where coffee was currency and it was just the done thing. I would do a favour for someone and they'd bring me coffee....so I started drinking it.
I certainly don't have a sophisticated coffee palate -- I couldn't tell a good cup from a bad cup and have been quite happy drinking instant at times (gasp! I know! lol) -- though I will say that regular - as in non-syrupy-sugar-coated-cream-frothed - Starbucks tastes like burnt tires to me. Now, alas, it just doesn't agree with me and I can't drink it without a measure of unease in my tummy....and it would have to be decaf anyway because of my delicate constitution :D
All that said, I still love the smell of it and the ritual....I think I've probably always loved those things more than the coffee itself. xo
I don't think I knew how important ritual was until recently. I didn't grow up with people who had rituals. What they shared with me was, "Work hard, keep your head down and don't complain, and when things get tough, make a high ball."
There was no room for ritual.
I'm grateful that I can recognize the importance of ritual now.
I've always loved coffee but I came to understand the ritual of coffee drinking in lockdown. When nothing else was open, a little 'hole in the wall' coffee shop serving delicious local coffee almost onto the street was our sanctuary. The joy of fresh coffee when the world felt scary and crazy was something I will always hold dear. Joining a social distanced queue (standing in line!) for that precious cup was a never forgotten small moment of joy. Said hole in the wall coffee has now expanded and grown into two local cafes!
Ohhhh...I love this!
I love your substack so much my friend.
Tea has become a lovely distraction is now part of my day, but I have to confess that the enchanting coffee bean keeps calling and the magic elixir has been made its way back into my morning routine!
My real love affair with coffee started similarly. I was on a trip to Italy when I discovered a whole new level of coffee. I had found espresso. In Italy. There was no going back😋🤣🥰.
I just love reading about your journeys - from the introduction of something, to the exploration of it, all the way up to the enjoyment and the different ways you branch off and make, whatever it is, your own. Oh, and the memories you associate with the journey...even better!
I too really learned to LOVE coffee in France.
Love this post!! I have SO many coffee memories with you!!
You forgot about Intelligentsia in Chicago, tucked away under the elevated train. This is where I tried my first oat milk latte (uh..what the heck is that??) because they made an extra one that no one showed up for. It is now something I actually really like and make at home because I don't use much dairy now! There's a little coffee cart here in Franklin called Southerner's and they have the best oat milk mochas!!
There was also La Colombe' in Chicago also tucked under the train station. I'd been drinking their Corsica blend for years (I learned that's also what they serve at the Four Seasons Hotels) and finally found the coffee shop, heaven!! I recently found the beans at my local WF and Sprouts!
Then, in Florida, there was the Jumanji coffee shop - an adorable artisan shop with handmade items for sale and a cute little patio (I don't actually know the real name, lol) and Black Tulip coffee we tried at the Naples farmer's market!
Funny you should mention "mocha" today. I have deemed different days of the week as different kinds of coffee or preparations to keep it fun. Mocha Mondays (because who doesn't need that little extra on a Monday?), Toss-up Tuesdays (whichever method I want - Moka pot, Nespresso, aeroccino, cold brew, etc.), Pour-over Wednesdays, Grind and Brew Thursdays and French Press Fridays!
I can't wait until our next visit when we can explore and drink coffee together again!
I didn't start drinking coffee until I worked at the racetrack where coffee was currency and it was just the done thing. I would do a favour for someone and they'd bring me coffee....so I started drinking it.
I certainly don't have a sophisticated coffee palate -- I couldn't tell a good cup from a bad cup and have been quite happy drinking instant at times (gasp! I know! lol) -- though I will say that regular - as in non-syrupy-sugar-coated-cream-frothed - Starbucks tastes like burnt tires to me. Now, alas, it just doesn't agree with me and I can't drink it without a measure of unease in my tummy....and it would have to be decaf anyway because of my delicate constitution :D
All that said, I still love the smell of it and the ritual....I think I've probably always loved those things more than the coffee itself. xo
I don't think I knew how important ritual was until recently. I didn't grow up with people who had rituals. What they shared with me was, "Work hard, keep your head down and don't complain, and when things get tough, make a high ball."
There was no room for ritual.
I'm grateful that I can recognize the importance of ritual now.