Coffee Purist

I thoroughly enjoy the flavor of an excellently brewed, fresh cup of coffee.  For me, I'm not into all the various flavors such as hazelnut so many people like to add to their coffee.  Just give me a small amount of half-and-half and a bit of sugar and I'm thrilled.  Some insist that drinking coffee with anything in it disqualifies you from being a purist.  I don't agree with them.

Coffee Convenience

Starbucks has certainly made getting a decent cup of coffee convenient to people throughout the world.  What did we ever do before they came along?  Some of us went to great lengths to make our own excellent brew.  I found a little coffee store that carried an excellent selection of gourmet beans.  My favorite was Tip of the Andes.  It was a mild blend that was perfect for those of us who are slow to awaken on most mornings.  I for one don't enjoy bold, robust flavors first thing to start my day.  I'd rather my coffee gentle me awake.

Then, too, we did not have all the selections we do today in coffee making machines.  I mostly preferred the French press method.  But Starbucks and the rise of their competitors has changed all of that.  There are so many different machines and coffee bean varieties available that it's sometimes challenging to make a decision.

Initially, only in major metropolitan areas, these coffee shops are branching out into smaller cities.  And they're thriving.  Sure, you don't have one on every street like you do in some downtown areas.  But you can find them if you happen to be on a road trip traveling across the country.  I know this from experience.  Who on earth would have thought that Pueblo, Colorado would have a Starbucks?  Well, they do.  So, I'm thrilled that I can find good coffee just about anywhere.

My Coffee Favorites

When it comes to beans, the coffee that I enjoy most is a breakfast blend.  It's mild and smooth and completely satisfying in the mornings.  But as the day progresses, I much prefer stronger, more robust and bold coffee.  An extra hot latte with an extra shot of espresso works wonders as I head home from a hectic workday.  I love the aroma as it's brewed.

If I'm dining out, I like a good cappuccino following dinner.  My preference is after the meal and before any after dinner drinks....kind of a pause to catch your breath sort of thing.

Another favorite is Kona coffee.  Like so many, I discovered it and enjoyed it for the first time while playing the tourist in Hawaii.  I like it a lot and am convinced it tastes even better when drunk in the islands.  But it sure is fun to order some beans and let the drinking of Kona coffee while on the mainland take you back to wonderful memories in the land of Aloha.

Coffee Health Benefits

For more information and additional links you might want to read the excellent article at Wikipedia, which I have linked for your convenience when you click on COFFEE.