Ritual #1 (or Obsession #1)

I really need to have a morning coffee! Either at home or from the very first "good quality" coffee shop out in town. Of course, my coffee is the better of the two. I make it my way and I like it strong. But I am also the type of coffee drinker who likes a strong coffee with cream and sugar (I even need to for my espresso). Even more particular, raw sugar and carnation evaporated milk.




Sure, I like MY way, but if I can't have it MY way, other ways are fine; the bottom line is still, I need my morning coffee. Without it, I get very sleepy by 3pm; and this is a proven fact.


Of the many possibilities of making my morning brew, my absolute preference is a french press. I used to do the drip thing, but found that I prefer it this way. But I was never this particular either. I got hooked about 10 years ago, while working downtown and encountered the infamous coffee cart. Ok, I stopped primarily due to the cute man working the machine! So, he got me started with a latte...then a vanilla latte. As the year progressed, I couldn't handle the milk (and I just don't like soy), so I changed to an americano. Eventually, the americano was weak and I needed something stronger.

I did the drip for a while due to convenience sake...but now, I love my french press. I continue to encourage coffee drinkers to have their coffee this way too. It's a bit like a religion...and my attempts to try and convert folks to drink it my way.

The other dynamic involved with my morning ritual is the type of coffee. I once loved my 100% Kona coffee. As pricey as it is, averaging $20 for 1 pound, I could no longer afford it...and the bean was not strong enough for me. Same as the Kaua`i Peaberry or the Kona Peaberry; not strong enough. What I like is a strong Italian roast and I can also settle for an Espresso roast.

It may appear that I may be called a "coffee snob" and ok, I do have my particular desires, but why not? I can! You will never catch me drinking coffee from McDonald's, I call that battery acid. 7-11's actually sell Lion's coffee and that I'll drink if I really have to. And yes, I'll have a cup out in a restaurant. But even after all this, I still need to drink it with cream and sugar.

This love for my coffee, some can call this an addiction. I guess it is, I really do need the caffeine...the caffeine is my drug of choice. But I like to call this my ritual....