HOW do you drink your coffee, black, with sugar, with cream, or with everything in it? Has it ever crossed your mind how you take this aromatic substance reflect your age? As I was preparing my espresso, this thought popped in.
Several times I have been asked why I take it black. Just one thing, I love how the underlying notes play on my palate — the combination of bitterness with hints of chocolate, nut, and toffee, depending on the beans used. Mixing it with cream or sugar takes away its pure flavors. That's me. Most people I know love to have it with sugar and cream.
I have been drinking coffee since my high school days. Blame it on burning the midnight oil for exams. I got it, perhaps from my father, who used to ask me when I was still a grader to prepare his coffee.
During my first employment, our boss asked our messenger to prepare coffee for our clients. Our messenger asked whether with sugar or cream. The husband replied with sugar, while the wife said cream. Coffee came, one with sugar and the other with cream and NO coffee. My boss offered to have it changed, but the wife politely declined and drank her cream with a smile.
The rest of us kept our cool, and when they left, we all laughed and cried out, "Dongkie!!!" That's the name of our messenger.
Going back to age and coffee, I read a white paper commissioned by a known coffee wholesaler on coffee preferences by age group. The younger generation, supporters of the coffeehouse culture, prefer coffee frappes. But as one gets older, his drinking habit matures. He now drinks the more traditional brewed coffee or espresso.
However, this research may not be reflective in some places. Take a look around. Coffee drink preference may have a link with age or otherwise. Perhaps age plays a part, but it's more than that. One's palate, peers, health, social media, ads, and health all contribute to your preference.
Social media and ads play a considerable role in today's coffee drinkers. The presentation, and the ambiance of the place, matter to some. Some purists go to the extent of knowing where the beans came from, the type of beans, and how it's roasted.
In the end, it's your taste that matters. No matter what age you are, if you feel like drinking your coffee with everything in it and with added whipped cream on top, go for it!
Just don't ever forget to put coffee in your cream, okay?
