Espresso Yourself

There are two kinds of people in this world – those who drink coffee and those who do not.

For the first 23 years of my life, I was not a coffee drinker.

I attended college before the Starbucks craze, before the Internet was a necessity and way before Facebook was a part of the daily routine.  Yes, I’m showing my age I know. 

My mom never drank coffee.  My dad did but never in the house.  He’d drive to the convenient store and pay for a cup.  Or he’d drink a pot at work but never had any at home.  Weird, I know?

My grandmother and several of my aunts and uncles drank the stuff but I never really touched it until I met my husband Kirk.  He drank coffee, a lot of it.  He encouraged me to try it.

I remember needing a whole lot of sugar and cream in it for me to swallow it down in those early days.  For me, it was an acquired taste.

I also didn’t like wine either.  Once again my husband corrupted me into drinking that as well.

Ahh, the innocent days of my youth are gone….

I’m a changed woman now.

Gone are the days when I don’t wake up and immediately want coffee.  I love the smell of it.  I can’t wait for it.  Somehow my morning doesn’t feel complete if I don’t have a cup or two (or three).

A few months ago, my husband expressed interest in buying an espresso machine for our home. As any frugal wife would, I found a gently used espresso machine through a second-hand shop and made the offer.  It’s not Italian or fancy but the contraption does make our mouths water…

My husband has become my barista.  I’m very lucky.

The aroma in our kitchen each morning is even more enhanced with that machine.  The deep, dark roast is my favorite.  I ditched the sugar over a year ago. I choose the heavy whipping cream.

No, keep the caramel and the vanilla for yourself.  I cannot swallow the mocha’s and frappe’s that I drank daily just a few years ago.  They are way too sweet for me now.

It amazes me all the coffee shops that are everywhere.  They make great places to people-watch or gain inspiration for writing.  I wrote half a book sitting inside a cafe’ just three years ago.  There are some good ones in my local area.  One of my favorites shares poetic quotes from authors.  Another I love overlooks a nice view of downtown and uses a slow, pour-over coffee method.

Whatever the style, whatever the pleasure, coffee has become an interesting way for people to express themselves.  They are also a wonderful avenue for creative writers, musicians and other artists.  I love discovering new ones or the small, out of the way locations that are family and locally owned.

How do you espresso yourself?  With a latte or without?