Let’s Talk Coffee

Seeing as how it’s Monday morning, let’s talk COFFEE.

Personally? I need to start each day with a cup of Nescafe – my apologies to any coffee snobs, I clearly don’t have the gourmet gene 😉 .

I’m pretty spoiled because most days the husbear gets up first and will even bring me a cuppa in bed!

At night however, I much prefer a decaf coffee.

Tea or Coffee?

But other than that, I tend to drink tea. And I like my cup of tea just like the husbear – strong and sweet 😉 .

However, if I am out I drink coffee – mainly because it is impossible to get a decent cup of tea unless you are at home. Has anybody else ever noticed that?! And besides, I refuse to pay four or five dollars for a cup of hot water and a tea bag. Seriously.

So when I am out, I order coffee.

But not just any coffee!

My Favourite Coffee Order

My favourite coffee order is:

“a vanilla decaf half strength skinny latte”

• Vanilla: That way, I don’t have to add any sugar, it’s sweet enough on its own.
• Decaf: Because I don’t want to make my heart race, or stay awake all night long.
• Half Strength: I’m not fond of that really strong bitter coffee taste so half is plenty.
• Skinny: It makes me feel virtuous and lessens the kilojoules.
• Latte: Even at home I like lots of milk in my coffee; same when I’m out and about.

I’m sure the baristas hate me – what a fusspot!

But I’ve also heard much more outlandish coffee orders, so I know I’m in good company.

Weird and Wonderful Coffee Orders

Miss 25revealed some of her barista secrets some time ago in her guide to coffee shop etiquette; this time she spills the (coffee!) beans on some of the weird and wonderful requests she has heard:

• 1/8 strength coffee (and I thought I was bad with 1/2 strength?!);
• coffee made to an EXACT temperature eg 77 degrees;
• extra or boiling hot (food and safety regulations state that staff are not allowed to turn the machines up that high);
• cappuccino in a mug, soy, decaf, extra hot;
• cappuccino, 60 degrees, 6 sugars, and 4 PINK marshmallows …  people are very particular about the colour of their marshmallows apparently!

I’ve even heard some folk are so fussy, they will only go to coffee shops that stock their favourite brand (eg Chiasso, Di Bella, Lavazza, Merlo etc).

I’ve learned a lot from my daughter since she worked in the industry for quite a few years. I’ve heard her complain if the coffee beans are burnt, or the coffee machine makes a terrible noise (because apparently if it is being used correctly, that shouldn’t happen!). Whereas all I know is if it tastes good – or not. I have to say, often the smell is much more tantalising than the taste!

One final tip before I finish chatting about coffee – if you go to Italy, don’t ask for a decaf, the staff will literally laugh at you!

Now it’s your turn to talk coffee – what’s your favourite order?!