My Love/Hate Relationship With Coffee

Some days coffee makes me happier than ever, some days I’m just not in the mood for it or I drink it and I don’t feel well at all. I thought I’d share a little about my relationship with coffee.

My personal journey with my cup of joe started when I first was introduced to Starbucks and LOVED all the sugary frappuccinos and mochas. I thought I was real cool sipping out of a Starbucks cup, even though what I was drinking wasn’t really coffee at all, but basically dessert. Anytime I would make my own coffee, I added so much sugar and creamer that you couldn’t even taste the coffee.

My dad has always been a coffee drinker. My sister and I still talk about waking up to the smell of coffee every morning when we were kids. Ahh, memories. I’m not sure exactly when, but I decided I should probably try some actually good tasting coffee, instead of the crap I had been drinking for so long.

It wasn’t until college that I really started drinking it regularly, partly because I discovered how good a cup of black coffee can taste and partly out of necessity. I actually never pulled a full all-nighter–maybe until 3AM at the latest–but coffee still got me through those early mornings (hello, 8AM classes) and late night study sessions.

And then, Italy happened.

I could probably write an entire book about my study abroad experience and how it taught me to really savor good food and drink, specifically pizza, pasta, wine, and coffee. I remember the feeling of having my very first Italian cappuccino, standing at a counter in a beautiful cafe, busy and noisy with people talking in Italian and sipping on caffe macchiatos and cappuccinos. It’s probably just because it was my first Italian coffee, but that cappuccino was the best coffee I’ve ever had, besides the fact that I was confused as heck trying to order it and pay.

Many more Italian coffees were had after that first one, of course, probably about one a day (and I was wondering how my euros disappeared so quickly). There was a coffee shop directly across the street from our apartment and one right across from our school. It was such an amazing feeling to walk out of my little apartment to the streets of Florence and start my morning with a bold, flavorful coffee. Caffe macchiato was most definitely my favorite.

Drinking coffee there was different. We asked for a to-go cup and they looked at us like we were absolutely insane. You savor the coffee. You stand at the counter or sit at a little table with your coffee (and probably a nutella filled croissant) and that coffee is your main focus. You’re not sucking it down just to get the caffeine, you’re drinking it to enjoy it. Drinking coffee in Italy is about the experience, and I miss it every day.

Once I returned home, coffee just wasn’t the same. It probably took me three months to actually enjoy a cup. I could not handle the taste of a coffee brewed from my Keurig, when I just spent four months drinking delicious, Italian coffee made carefully by a barista. I actually bought a little coffee maker like the one we had in our apartment to make good coffee, and once I returned to college for my final semester, I discovered a few local coffee shops that make excellent coffee, and I was hooked again.

During my senior year and since graduating, I’m always back and forth with coffee. One day I’ll enjoy a big cup and feel great the whole day, the next day if I drink it I feel terrible. So first, I thought I’d share why I love it:

Taste. I know some people just aren’t coffee people because it tastes bad to them, but I am definitely not one of those people. The flavor of a good coffee is really indescribable to me, and as I said I really learned to savor the flavor of things abroad.

Smell. Smell comes pretty close to taste to me. I fully understand why “wake up and smell the coffee” is a common phrase, because there are few better smells than a fresh brewed cup of coffee.

Experience. I talked all about my Italian experience drinking coffee, in the cute cafes with the locals, but I enjoy it just as much at home too. Whether I’m relaxing on my front porch enjoying the quiet of the morning or I’m at a coffee shop catching up with a friend, it’s all about the experience to me and how drinking coffee makes me feel.

Caffeine. I don’t usually drink coffee solely for the caffeine, but the little energy boost is sometimes necessary, like if I’m feeling groggy at work or need to drive a long ways. Of course, though, this usually comes with a crash (see below).

You’re probably thinking, well then why would you ever say no to coffee? I have my reasons for that too:

Sick. Some days I’m fine after drinking a cup of coffee, but some days it makes me feel absolutely terrible. This may be a bit graphic (sorry grandma), but I’ve had so many times when my body acts like it hates me after drinking coffee. Either I have to run to the bathroom as soon as a drink a cup,  I get stomach cramps, or I get the worst heartburn.

Addicting. I have no nutritional background, but I do try to do my research and learn as much as I can. Coffee has caffeine, so it is technically a drug. Do you struggle to get through your morning without first drinking your coffee? There’s a good chance you’re addicted without even knowing. I’ve found that the more I drink coffee, the more often I want it.

Jitters. Oh, the jitters. If I don’t have something to eat close to the time I drink a cup of coffee, I’m shaky and have a hard time focusing. Some people thrive off this, but unfortunately it makes me less productive.

Crash. And then, the crash. If I drink a big cup of coffee in the morning, when about 3pm rolls around I’m struggling. I’m usually super hungry and all I want is sugar and I can’t function for the life of me.

Expensive. I like making coffee myself at home or work if I really want it, because it’s much cheaper. At the same time, though, I don’t make good frothy cappuccinos like the coffee shop does. At $3 to $4 (or sometimes more) a cup, this can get pretty pricey.

There are so many reasons to love coffee; the side effects are kind of a major bummer. Before I continue, I really need to reinforce that we’re all different. This may be my relationship with coffee, but you could never experience any of these symptoms.

If you’re like me and you’re trying to not drink so much coffee, there are some alternatives! I love a cup of Earl Grey or chai tea, but if I’m wanting a fancier drink, I love these turmeric lattes! Copper Cup asked me to spread the word on their re-branding and sent me some samples and let me tell you, this stuff is delicious. I also received some samples of mushroom coffee with my Thrive Market package and tried herbal coffee, which both taste pretty similar to coffee. Really, though, I try to stick with water the majority of the time!

There are reasons to love coffee and reasons to stay away, but my main piece of advice is to enjoy it in moderation. If you want a cup of coffee, don’t just suck it down for the caffeine, but really enjoy the smell, flavor, and experience that comes with a good quality cup. Coffee shouldn’t be something you need, but something you enjoy, whether it be daily or on occasion.

Are you a coffee drinker? What do you love or dislike about it?

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