5.04.2005
All grown up
I feel like an adult now. Let us not overlook the fact that I turned 25 on Sunday, which, let's face it, is old (she says, tongue-in-cheek). But that's not why I feel like a grown-up today. Today was the first time I actually enjoyed a cup of black coffee.
My step-dad told me once that when he first tried coffee, he put a lot of cream and sugar in it, but he really hated it. Only later did he realize that it was the cream and sugar he didn't like, and once he got down to the actual coffee, he thought it was great. My experience wasn't exactly like that; rather, I had to train myself over a period of years to take less and less other stuff in my coffee. I used to put milk and sugar, and then I started using flavored creamers, because at least that's only one thing to add. Then I found out that cream or half & half does the job of cutting the bitterness, and it's sweet enough that I don't have to add sugar or silly expensive flavorings as well. So for a while now, I've been putting half & half in my coffee and skipping the sugar. However, out of necessity, I drank a cup of black coffee today, and I actually liked it. One of my favorite professors has a little one-cup coffee maker in his office, and I've availed myself of a cup from time to time. I smelled his freshly-brewed cup today, and so I asked if I could make myself a cup, but then I had to go help a student for a little while, so he brought me my coffee when it was done brewing, sans additives. At first, I was about to run into his office and put something in it, but then I thought, "No, I'll try this. Maybe I can handle it by now." Apparently, I can. Over time, I've gotten used to the actual coffee taste, which I used to think was bitter and horrible but now find rather comforting and invigorating.
I always thought it'd be so much easier if I could just train myself to drink black coffee, because it's more convenient not to add stuff and risk making a big mess. Additionally, I always thought I'd be cooler if I could drink it straight, because then I'd have something in common with detectives, coffee-house snobs, and the Gilmore girls. And I was right! I even feel cooler.
I've just come to the realization that I spent entirely too much time thinking about this. I really need a life.
My step-dad told me once that when he first tried coffee, he put a lot of cream and sugar in it, but he really hated it. Only later did he realize that it was the cream and sugar he didn't like, and once he got down to the actual coffee, he thought it was great. My experience wasn't exactly like that; rather, I had to train myself over a period of years to take less and less other stuff in my coffee. I used to put milk and sugar, and then I started using flavored creamers, because at least that's only one thing to add. Then I found out that cream or half & half does the job of cutting the bitterness, and it's sweet enough that I don't have to add sugar or silly expensive flavorings as well. So for a while now, I've been putting half & half in my coffee and skipping the sugar. However, out of necessity, I drank a cup of black coffee today, and I actually liked it. One of my favorite professors has a little one-cup coffee maker in his office, and I've availed myself of a cup from time to time. I smelled his freshly-brewed cup today, and so I asked if I could make myself a cup, but then I had to go help a student for a little while, so he brought me my coffee when it was done brewing, sans additives. At first, I was about to run into his office and put something in it, but then I thought, "No, I'll try this. Maybe I can handle it by now." Apparently, I can. Over time, I've gotten used to the actual coffee taste, which I used to think was bitter and horrible but now find rather comforting and invigorating.
I always thought it'd be so much easier if I could just train myself to drink black coffee, because it's more convenient not to add stuff and risk making a big mess. Additionally, I always thought I'd be cooler if I could drink it straight, because then I'd have something in common with detectives, coffee-house snobs, and the Gilmore girls. And I was right! I even feel cooler.
I've just come to the realization that I spent entirely too much time thinking about this. I really need a life.
Labels: coffee, getting older, my stepdad
- posted by erica 5/04/2005 04:45:00 PM
-
Comments:
Congrats! I haven't gotten so brave yet. I wonder if you can really taste the coffee quality when you drink it black, more so than after adding cream & sugar? (e.g., stale pre-ground Folgers vs. fresh roasted, fresh ground beans?) Interesting question. Feel free to investigate and report back. You have something in common with detectives now, this can be another thing! :-) Damn you, you have made me want coffee at 11pm!
Haha, E you crack me up. I especially liked the Gilmore Girls reference. I didn't know you watched them?! Or, maybe I did, it's in the fuzzy part of my brain that you've mentioned watching the show on ABC Family... anyway.. I just bought the 3rd season dvd set and have been enjoying an episode each night. =) I love tv show dvds!
Post a Comment
<< Home
