I’ve spent countless hours in coffee shops, starting at age 14! Back then, Lava Java (my local coffee shop in SW Washington) had just opened and my bible study was meeting there. Over the years I met friends there to chat or to play board games. I would skip part of English class to run and get a latte from there. For the most part my teachers didn’t care, I was a straight A student.
In college I had the great opportunity to live in Seattle and experience a myriad of wonderful coffee shops! My friends and I would do homework, chat, have bible study, or just read books at the various coffee shops there. We went to different coffee shops depending on what we wanted.
Then, as part of my college graduation gift, I got to go to Italy! I didn’t want to seem Americanized, so I ordered a cappuccino in the mornings and espresso in the afternoons. They were shocked that a 20 year old American did not want a latte or “Americano”.
When I moved back to Vancouver, WA, I was disappointed that so many coffee shops closed so early in the evening. I was still the night owl back then. It was around that time, however, that I began making French Press coffee for myself. Even if I couldn’t have coffee at a shop at 7 pm, at least I could make a good brew at home!
Speaking of a good brew, I like my coffee strong and dark. I used to order a caramel vanilla latte often, but I usually order a traditional cappuccino now. At home I make French Press coffee or Chemex. Central or South American roasts are my favorite, as they tend to have caramel or chocolate notes to them.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters is by far the best, and I’m very blessed to have so much good coffee nearby. Lava Java is still open 15 years since I started coming and I’m currently typing this post from there.
So is coffee just a drink? Nope. Coffee opens up so many opportunities. Building relationships, a quiet place to read, a place to talk about geeky topics with the baristas. People relate over coffee, they crave it not just because of the caffeine.
I live in a cool and rainy climate. Pacific Northwest. We are known for our amazing coffee and beer. The reason why? We need a warm place to be when it’s gray and rainy out most of the year. It’s our own Hygge.
I’m a coffee geek, snob, aficionados. But more importantly I see the potential of coffee and how it can change lives for the better.