coffee
Good morning visitor.
Let's talk coffee. I looooove coffee. Coffee makes me feel good with 0 net negatives. It tastes great in any form, and is a portable source of energy that can ward off depression, hangovers, and general tiredness. I don't think I've really ever had a truly bad cup of coffee in my life. I've had everything from instant to specialty espresso. There are better and worse coffees, though, so I'll try to rank and rate them in this post.
#1: Espresso
Best espresso: Skool Beans Cafe, Vik, Iceland or ModCup Cafe, Jersey City, NJ
Espresso shots are the shots of coffee. Crazy, I know. Shots of all kinds just work. A good 2-3 espresso shots in the morning gets you going quickly and efficiently. Espresso doesn't cost nearly as much as an iced latte, is quicker to drink, and has a more concentrated, bold flavor.
Skool Beans delivered a shockingly delicious espresso for a school bus. It hit so hard after escaping a barren Icelandic mountain range. I don't really remember the specifics, but it was a truly tremendous feeling. ModCup gave me an expensive shot of co-ferment coffee, a.k.a coffee beans fermented with strawberries. It was an absolutely insane, acidic and sweet flavor. I think people who look down on co-ferments are really just lacking whimsy inside, lol.
Pictured: Strawberry dream co-ferment from ModCup cafe. Just look at that crema. Mmmm.
#2: Americano
Best americano: made by yours truly with a french press at home.
Okay, I don't think french press coffee is technically an Americano, but I don't care for semantics. A good 12oz cup of french press coffee in the morning is truly a blessing, no matter what beans I use. A lot of coffees are hot, but they don't really feel warm like french press coffee. I don't really know how to explain it.
The best black coffee I ever had was french press coffee that I made with Reykjavik Roasters beans in the back of my camper van. It was so deep in its flavor and truly felt enriching. 10/10, tbh.
#3 isn't coffee, it's matcha.
Best matcha: Khyber Coffee & Tea House, New Brunswick, NJ
I've only had matcha maybe 3 times, but it's pretty mindblowing how complex it is, given that it's just ground up green tea. I hate flavored matcha with a passion. A good, regular matcha latte with whole milk is perfect for me.
Khyber in New Brunswick makes a truly delightful matcha latte. It has this rich, umami flavor, balanced out with earthiness and sweetness. Please try it if you haven't, and don't get it iced.
Those are my big three drinks. Usually, in the morning, I'll start off with 12oz of french press, or maybe 3 shots of Moka pot if I want to spice things up (although, the Moka coffee isn't great compared to espresso). Then, after I'm done with class, I'll stop at Starbucks to get 2 espresso shots. I find that coffee makes me super chill and sociable, and also helps me complete my work and focus.
I think coffee has a unique ability to connect people. It's like alcohol, except it's not poison. When you have a guest, making them a cup of coffee really shows warmth and hospitality. And catching up with an old friend over espresso at a cafe is one of the most fulfilling conversations you'll have. Coffee has been like this for a few centuries, uniting people and even nations.
Pictured: A farmer in 800 C.E. noticed an increase in this goat's energy after it ate coffee beans. The rest is history!!
Unfortunately, the production of most coffee is wildly unethical, with farmers being paid very low wages to do excruciating work in the sun. That's why people enjoy specialty coffee, which features ethical, single-source production and communication across the entire supply chain. I'm not a really huge fan of the light roasts in most specialty coffee, but it's very nice to have something different once in a while. If you're around NJ, go ahead and visit ModCup in Jersey City to have a taste of world-class specialty coffee. You won't be disappointed.
These are my thoughts on coffee. Can you tell I like it? I don't think I aspire to own an espresso machine and do all that maintenance. I'm content with what I have at the moment. Go ahead and try some espresso, and have a great day!
Enjoy,
Ayaan