As they say, wake up and smell your coffee! There are a few of us mortal souls who think about their first cup even before they open their eyes every morning. And yes I unabashedly confess that people around us know when we haven’t had our dose yet! No wonder there are huge number of Before/After Coffee memes always buzzing the social media.
I consider coffee to be a basic fundamental right of existence. In fact it should find a place in our constitution! Most of the coffee lovers feel that they can rule the world once enough coffee runs through their veins. Their life’s philosophies are based around coffee and some of the big questions in life can be resolved over a cuppa.
Come autumn and our favourite coffee shops lure us with those irresistible pumpkin spice lattes, eggnogs, praline or salted caramel holiday confections. Every year coffee lovers spend increasing amounts on these winter warmers during the festive season owing to these speciality drinks.
Did you know coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world? As a matter of fact, both New York Stock Exchange and Bank of New York started in the humble coffee houses on Wall Street.
Caffè Italiano – The art of drinking coffee in Italy
One of the most authentic food experiences is to drink coffee in Italy. The coffee culture varies in its regions. I must say that the Italians take their coffee seriously. While an ideal get-together for a Brit is grabbing a good ole pint, an Italian will ask you “shall we go out for a coffee?” Their working day is rather squeezed between the cups of espressos. One cannot simply miss its wonderful variations that sound seductive and end in a big o! Espresso, lungo, macchiato, cappuccino, corretto, ristretto et al. While in Italy, never order a cappuccino after 11am or after dinner if you do not wish your barista to give you that incredulous look. Cappucino has milk which is usually suitable only for breakfast. Order a macchiato if you just cannot bear to go without milk!
South Indian Kaapi
It is impossible for me to resist the traditional south Indian coffee or kaapi served in the steel tumbler and dabara. It is swished theatrically a few times between the two to make it frothy. I have always loved the aroma of this caramel hued filter coffee topped with a fluff of white foam. It transports me back to my childhood when it was a delight to wake up to the smell of this frothy concoction of strong coffee, milk and sugar made by the neighbouring aunties as I call them. The blend used is coffee mixed with 20-30% of chicory. As Italians, a true blue South Indian wouldn’t start his / her day without a filter coffee. In South India, coffee is not just served in homes but roadside establishments, messes, restaurants and hot chip shops.
I enjoy my relationship with coffee. It has eventually led to my obsession with coffee mugs and all other stuff that make my love for coffee quite evident. I am in love with its enticing aroma that envelops me into warmth and comfort instantly. Its sweet, rich, milky taste is my passport to a better day. Be it before the most important interview, having a quiet ‘me’ time or a quick celebration of that long awaited promotion, coffee has been my companion and a catalyst for wonderful and creative things.
