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.
A lot of people who think they know a lot about coffee actually don't, really, because they assume that in cultures where coffee is consumed more, people know more about it. The fact of the matter is that just because a country drinks coffee every day, it doesn't mean that the people sitting in the cafes know any more or any less about it than your average Starbucks customer. It's just a part of the culture, and a huge part of socializing.
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.
There's a lot to be said about developing a love for coffee at a younger age. Instead of just getting hopped up on caffeine and sugar, it's nice to practice drinking such a distinguished beverage. Because really, that's what coffee ultimately is: a more appropriate social drink that you can't get drunk on.
In fact, ordering coffee is one of the biggest parts of learning to drink it, and if you're going to be using coffee to socialize in new and exciting places, you should probably know what you're getting yourself into. Except early in the morning on the way to work, when you stand at the bar and do a shot of espresso, drinking coffee in Italy is going to set you back at least an afternoon. The same is true in France. Those are a couple of the only countries where you can order a shot of espresso and make it last for a couple of hours, so order accordingly.
Don't feel bad if you want a drink with more taste than simply "caffeine is pumping through my veins." A love for coffee doesn't have to mean running around wound up all day. Go for the beverage with a bunch of milk and cream, add sugar, sip slowly (which should be easy, since an afternoon coffee in France could take hours), and don't worry about looking uncultured. You're doing just fine.
Want to make sure you don't make any mistakes when you're out drinking coffee in public? Just order a simple beverage, and pay attention to what everyone else is getting. If they get elaborate foamy drinks that take a while to drink, and you're stuck holding a shot of espresso that's not designed to be sipped, then you're going to throw the balance off. Order a big drink when other people are ordering big drinks, and a small drink when people are ordering small drinks, and if in doubt, just add as much sugar as you want.
And if it all seems like too much, just remember: a love for coffee is made, not born. You've got time to figure out which version is best for you. - 30241
A lot of people who think they know a lot about coffee actually don't, really, because they assume that in cultures where coffee is consumed more, people know more about it. The fact of the matter is that just because a country drinks coffee every day, it doesn't mean that the people sitting in the cafes know any more or any less about it than your average Starbucks customer. It's just a part of the culture, and a huge part of socializing.
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.
There's a lot to be said about developing a love for coffee at a younger age. Instead of just getting hopped up on caffeine and sugar, it's nice to practice drinking such a distinguished beverage. Because really, that's what coffee ultimately is: a more appropriate social drink that you can't get drunk on.
In fact, ordering coffee is one of the biggest parts of learning to drink it, and if you're going to be using coffee to socialize in new and exciting places, you should probably know what you're getting yourself into. Except early in the morning on the way to work, when you stand at the bar and do a shot of espresso, drinking coffee in Italy is going to set you back at least an afternoon. The same is true in France. Those are a couple of the only countries where you can order a shot of espresso and make it last for a couple of hours, so order accordingly.
Don't feel bad if you want a drink with more taste than simply "caffeine is pumping through my veins." A love for coffee doesn't have to mean running around wound up all day. Go for the beverage with a bunch of milk and cream, add sugar, sip slowly (which should be easy, since an afternoon coffee in France could take hours), and don't worry about looking uncultured. You're doing just fine.
Want to make sure you don't make any mistakes when you're out drinking coffee in public? Just order a simple beverage, and pay attention to what everyone else is getting. If they get elaborate foamy drinks that take a while to drink, and you're stuck holding a shot of espresso that's not designed to be sipped, then you're going to throw the balance off. Order a big drink when other people are ordering big drinks, and a small drink when people are ordering small drinks, and if in doubt, just add as much sugar as you want.
And if it all seems like too much, just remember: a love for coffee is made, not born. You've got time to figure out which version is best for you. - 30241
About the Author:
If Damian Papworth has a major celebration he dusts off the 12 cup coffee maker. For typical mornings though one cup coffee makers are more appropriate
