Bad Coffee Makes Me Sad
It’s no secret that I love coffee. Over the past couple of years my relationship with coffee has gone to a whole new level. We used to be just friends who would meet every once in a while and only when I was really tired. Also, I never really let coffee be itself around me. I always forced it to take on different appearances and flavors. I never allowed it to be who it really was. It was a very selfish relationship.
Things have changed now. I’ve repented of my ways and really feel like coffee and I have gotten to a level of our relationship that we can both be proud of.
Coffee represents something much stronger to me than flavor.
Even now as I write this I’m staring a 5lb bag of coffee that the coffee club I helped start (Raleigh Coffee Club) purchased for an organization that works with the homeless and at-risk population here in Raleigh (Love Wins). That’s the sort of thing coffee represents for me. Something much greater than a hot cup of black liquid.
It represents community. It represents hard work. It represents friendships. It represents love.
Every time I brew coffee at home, which takes me longer than most people, I’m not just trying to get caffeine in me…I’m participating in an act that not only supports people I care about, but supports employees and farmers I’ve never met, but because they are human I care about them.
It represents to local roasters that I’ve created such good friendships with. It represents the passion they have for their product.
That’s why bad coffee makes me sad.
Because I know how good it can be. And I don’t mean bad just on the basis of flavor and taste, which I’ve had my fair share of, but also bad in the sense of where it comes from and how the workers are treated where it’s roasted and farmed. When you drink “bad” coffee you are supporting that.
And I say without shame, what you buy, eat, drink and do shows what you support.
You can’t say you care about people and serve bad coffee. And again, I don’t just mean by flavor, because that is incredibly subjective…but having coffee that tastes good isn’t a bad idea either.
Don’t take this as a guilt trip, because I, by no means, buy every single thing that supports the right things…but I am making an effort.
Drink good coffee. Good tasting. Good supporting. Good.
A.J. Viola's Blog 
I hear ya! There’s hardly anything more satisfying than a cup of coffee that’s been respected through the whole chain: from the farmer’s in love with their trees who carefully handle the beans through the whole process, to the careful distribution to artisan roasters, who then further work to obtain the perfect roast, and then serving a fresh roasted cup with an appropriate brewing technique right into a hand-thrown mug, as the droplets of steam float away into the universe. Thanks for your passion on coffee!
Yes, I agree. I only buy fairtrade coffee that ensures the famers a fair price.
You’ve basically said everything I wanted to, so I’m going to thank you and AJ Viola both lol.
Bad coffee = bad vibes all through out the day. Boo
totally girl
Just happened across your blog, it caught my attention because I just now started to drink coffee (as in like the last 3 days). What do you know about Kaldi’s coffee?
I’ve never heard of Kaldi’s coffee, sorry, but thanks for reading.
Kaldi has a range of organic and fair trade coffees, if that’s what you’re asking. Personally I like their coffees, but you just have to try and see for yourself, as they have a number of original and blended coffees from various places in the world. Greets from another coffee lover!
Kaldi’s is a very good coffee company (I think they’re based out of St. Louis, MO). As far as I know, they make “good coffee”. I know Kaldi Coffee is in my favorite coffee stout made by Schlafly!
Bad coffee is widely attributed to making the world a bad place. People need to be more responsible for their actions.
“If you’re gonna grind, use your mind”
If I ever begin producing a coffee blend, my slogan will be “Coffee that respects you in the morning”
Just sayin’
Love that slogan!
If you develop a coffee blend before me, please feel free to use it. Just make sure you let us know so we can purchase some.
I’d buy that coffee, even though I don’t drink coffee…
Great read!
How are you supposed to know if the coffee brand you buy is “bad?” How do we know how Maxwell House, Folgers, or …eeek…. Great Value (Walmart) treat their workers. I ❤ my coffee but I still force it to be blond. Hahah
It’s hard to say which certain coffee is better than another when it comes to how they treat their workers and where the coffee is grown, etc…, but there are some things you can do. The #1 thing I would suggest is getting to know local roasters. Since they are run by much fewer people and usually the person roasting the beans is also probably the person who started the company, they will be able to tell you intimate details about their coffee (i.e. where it’s grown, the names of the farmers, how it’s grown, how their treated, etc…)
That would be a good place to start. Buying from larger coffee companies isn’t necessarily bad, but buying with a knowledge of who you’re buying from and what their supporting is better.
Heheh… I don’t know if we have brewers around here. I live in tobacco country! 😉
Coffee drinking is DEFINITELY more than, well, coffee drinking. I totally agree that it’s a relationship. Sadly, coffee and I are still in the eggshell phase where if it doesn’t at least partially mask it’s true self, I might have to dump it (down the drain, of course). I thoroughly enjoyed your description of your beautiful relationship! I can’t wait to share the same enthusiasm! 🙂
It just needs to be made with the same love an commitment that good food is cooked…its not much to ask
I grow coffee in Costa Rica…not much, just three hectares on a mixed finca.
Coming from Europe I have everything to learn about it and have been lucky that the gentleman who works for us knows the business from top to bottom.
Except that what he knows isn’t the way you’d like to think about coffee. He knows about herbicides, artificial fertilizer, selling to the big firms….it’s interesting, but it wouldn’t make your grade.
I could turn over to shade grown organic….the finca makes other income so it wouldn’t be a complete financial disaster while awaiting certfication …but then there’s another mafia to infiltrate……organic is a business like any other and there are plenty of ‘business practices’ about.
Then there’s the question of pickers. Here, you need to make a tour of the bushes to pick off the ripe tip cherries before the main crop ripens further down the branches…not very rewarding for the pickers, so the regular gangs who strip a cafetal in hours won’t come for that…
I stick to my regulars who see me through the whole season…but I lose cherries, through wind or rain, because my team can’t cover the whole area fast enough.
So there’s a fair bit for me to think about over a cup of proper coffee…freshly filtered, not from a coffee maker where it’s been stewing for hours!
Helen,
Reading your comment was like walking in a coffee estate. Thanks for the description. We had the finest of coffee here in India, but then the ‘export greed’ set in about 20-30 years ago. We are left with 3rd or 4th grade seeds. Even then, it is a marvelous drink.
Great post! I am following you now, if you ever want to know about Ocean Paddling follow us back! Regards.
Carlos
I agree, we live in Seattle where we take coffee and its roasting very seriously! I just added that last exclamation mark to emphasize just how serious. Coffee is everywhere and I used to be just fine with roasters like Starbucks, Seattle’s Best and Tullys, but then I found Victor’s Celtic Cofee and became ruined for all other coffee establishments. The man brews his own coffee and it is masterpiece destroying all prior coffee convictions as it brews its way into your heart with homegrown beans, original flavorings, and what I can only assume is ground magical Leprechaun.
Hmm, never heard of Victor’s… I’ll have to look them up! It’s nice to have another Seattlite here!! 🙂
That’s exactly what happened to me here in Raleigh. Once I started meeting local roasters and drinking their coffee I was ruined. Now I look back at drinking Starbucks coffee or any other kind of larger brand and wish I had come to the light sooner.
Thanks for reading!
I am from the Seattle area too…and my sister and brother in law roast coffee – Moka Joe Coffee and it has ruined me for all other companies as well. Fair trade/organic all the way! I go to Starbucks only when I can’t my favorites.
Excellent post, my good friend. What you wrote about, as well as supporting local businesses is good for our world and for it’s future. We should always strive to live in a way that supports those around us, even though sometimes it might cost a few extra pennies.. which undoubtedly we get 100x back in relationships, friendships, and in knowing we are living with a higher purpose.
Great point Manuel! We may think saving a couple bucks is helping, but what we spend (or invest in) we’ll get back in so much greater ways through relationships, taste, purpose, etc…
Thanks for reading and commenting and for coming to the super bowl party!
I like your general point that we need to think about the human backstories of what we eat and drink, but as finite human beings, it cannot be our primary focus. There is an order in love, and we need to direct most of our energy towards loving those closest to us, those God has clearly assigned to our care.
Think of it this way: which would be better, to drink “good” coffee and be a jerk to those closest to you (family, coworkers), or to drink “bad” coffee but be an absolute blessing to those closest to you? Of course it would be best to love your family and drink responsibly-harvested coffee . . . just so long as you do it in that order. Only God is powerful enough to take care of the whole world.
Lol seems to me God isn’t doing a very good job of taking care of the world at all, whether first world concrete jungles or third world coffee plantations.
I understand your point, but also think that if you develop habits of loving people, then that love will overflow into every aspect of your life…your eating, your drinking, your relationships, etc…
Jesus said the greatest commandments were to love God and to love people…not just certain people.
I think it’s a both/and issue. When we are being a blessing to those around us, like you say AND being a blessing to those not physically around us we are partnering with God in taking care of the world.
Thanks for reading and for commenting!
Good coffee assuredly helps make the world a little better. Just think if we all were able to purchase coffee and chocolate that was made without anyone being shortchanged. If it is too expensive for someone to do, maybe they could just purchase a local product once a month.
I have learned in life that it is more often the small decisions we make continually that make a change. Excellent post, I really liked it. I am enjoying reading on your blog, it is great to see you putting out such consistent content.
Keep it up bro!
Some mornings any coffee is good. When favorable conditions exist to have locally roasted, fresh beans, then I feel quite priviledged. Perhaps I’ll get the french press out now to energize for a night with Tower of Power.
As a tea drinker I liked your post 🙂
so true!
Bad coffee is a crime against humanity. You should check out my blog, Tales from the Dark Roast Side. Sometimes it’s about coffee. Most of the time it’s not. But it’s always fun.
Reblogged this on From Slacker To Scribe.
yum!
Lovely post. I’m more of a tea drinker myself but the same can be said for that industry. It is important to be mindful, especially when living in this era of consumerism. Nice to meet you 🙂
There’s one sure way to get me grumpy all morning. Bad coffee. Good coffee never fails to give me a good start. After reading your blog, “good” coffee now means “good, good” coffee to me. Good flavor, good history. And that should now apply to most everything we eat and drink. Cheers!
Glad to hear it helped redefine your thoughts on “good coffee”
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Can I suggest the best holiday coffee in the history of coffee? Door County Coffee’s Door County Christmas. Jen
just like you, Im also a coffee lover. I recently wrote a blog on “brewed coffee”
I just recently wrote an article about Guatemala and coffee especially as it relates to the social structures and lack of education among the indigenous population. It’s a complex issue, but you may find it an interesting read. I’m a big fan of great coffee and the areas where it is produced.
Hey Pat…I have a really good friend who started a non-profit and does a lot of great work in Guatemala. You should check out what he’s up to there. You’d probably be interested. http://www.lemonadeinternational.org/
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Cool. I’ll do that!
I checked it out briefly and bookmarked it. Thanks for the information.
I drink bad coffee everyday .. shame on me. I should start planting my own beans .. in the future
Only thing worse than bad coffee is no coffee ^^ and i drink that everyday.
Reblogged this on thevisionofme and commented:
Amen!
I wish I had reached the level of maturity as you have with your coffee. But, alas, we are at that stage in our relation in which we are co-dependent. It would be much better for the the both of us if we were to find ourselves first before hanging on to the other for comfort.
I was happy to read that you bought from local farmers as well as charities! I was curious when I saw your blog title under freshly pressed if you did that, and if it wasn’t mentioned was going to suggest doing such a thing! : )
I have a friend (new friend whom I recently met on my roadtrip) that says she has been spoiled with freshly grown coffee from local farmers that even drinking coffee from places like Starbucks makes her sick! Starbucks! I always thought of that as a prime great coffee place. Do you have similar experiences when drinking starbucks now that you are a coffee connoisseur?
Was also looking for types of brewing processes that you may use in your article. Curious if you use/tried the French Press method? My husband and I have fell in love with this process… as time consuming as it is.
I am a big fan of French Press, but I probably use the pour over method of brewing more than anything. I feel like it yields the best cup and it has never disappointed. It takes a lot of trial and error, but it’s totally worth it.
I think we are going to invest in a French Press (seeing how we’ve misplaced our coffee pot / machine or it was misplaced while we were away on our road trip)
OR invest in the Keurig! We stayed at a few peoples houses who have one of these and we just loved the convenience! Usually I don’t drink more than one cup of coffee, my husband no more than 2. And when we brew a pot of coffee we always brew a full 10 cup pot that gets wasted. (And even though they are kind of expensive for a coffee machine at about $100, they have reusable/pick your own coffee filter cups).
Those of us from Louisiana who grew up in a relationship with coffee wondered why Starbucks became what it did. It’s all about community–from the growing to the drinking. And, that’s what makes it good.
Thank you for posting this. I hope to develop this level of love for coffee, as well as starting my journey to find that perfect cup of coffee that not only tastes good but is economically and environmentally friendly.
This made me laugh. A lot.
Not because I was making fun, or anything rude; I have the same relationship with tea. It’s really quite tragic in a way, especially since I get SO upset when I have had a shoddy cup of tea from a restaurant, or someone’s house. I trust so few people to make me a cup of tea, or even a full carafe of tea, because it can be so disappointing. I guess I’m still quite selfish when it comes to my relationship with tea, haha. I use and abuse it, and it rewards me, but always on my own terms.
My wife has the same relationship with tea that you have! She mostly drinks loose leaf tea and is quite disappointed when she pays for tea and it’s not good. She carries tea in her purse and usually just asks for hot water at restaurants 🙂
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Oh my goodness, a woman after my own heart, haha.
That’s how I go too. I have tea packets in my purse, and jackets. I LIVE for David’s Tea here in Halifax.
I have spent small fortunes on their teas, and others, and when I receive something that is just… so disappointing, I feel personally slighted, HA.
I can’t wait to read your next posts! You’re very expressive.
Hell, Hell, Hell, Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!
I need coffee to get through my day!!!
I wholeheartedly agree with your comment about what you eat shows what you support! I love good coffee. And good food. Both are made even better by careful choosing, thoughtful preparation, and good company. I especially agree that bad coffee is sad. It makes me feel like this – http://pleasetip.us/the-soul-of-a-barista/
I like coffee, but not overload and I need coffee because there is something special for my health.
Good!
bad coffe sucks lol 🙂
This resonates with a lot of us out there — for me, coffee helped me become conscious about of a lot of issues relating to quality production and its seemingly inverse relationship with business.
The worst part is that everyone (almost) can afford coffee. Great world class coffee won’t cost you more than 15$/lb — which is a helluva lot more accessible than world class wine, tea, food…
A poignant message, simply stated that lets many in on a big issue! Wonderful tidbit 🙂
Adieu, scribbler
Reblogged this on kattyjames.
even right now i am enjoying with the cup of coffee ……..
Illy . . .yum!!!
Love the post, and love the tagline to your blog. I do think it was a good idea. 🙂
I love the line: “Coffee represents something much stronger to me than flavor….. It represents community. It represents hard work. It represents friendships. It represents love.”
Sometimes I don’t even care what kind of coffee I drink. As long as it’s coffee, then I can enjoy it. Coffee has become a friend. It is there everytime I write and trapped in writer’s block.
This article is beautiful.
congrats on being fp…good writing!
I too count in the list. Myself too picky about coffee; make sure the cup is odor free to get the purity of the coffee. Some times milk make it odd.
“It represents community. It represents hard work. It represents friendships. It represents love.” I couldn’t agree more! 🙂
i love coffee
Great read and am glad you are buying coffee from local farmers. How I wish to have the same luxury of fresh coffee everyday. :=)
totally get this! Hubby and I love coffee, and try to make sure its all good stuff in both ways. we have not found a blend which is completely what we want taste-wise, and so we blend multiple coffees into our filter machine, until we get a blend we really like. we love experimenting!
I love the idea of creating your own blends! I haven’t tried that yet. I usually stick with single origin or the blends that roasters create, but I’ll have to try that!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
bad coffee is bad…and good coffee if good…but great coffee is heaven in a cup. We all have our preference for service but nothing can hide bad beans http://wp.me/p1iFet-v0
Reblogged this on adventures of the great mic and commented:
yeah.. bad coffee is indeed saddening… i miss coffee… i can no longer drink that much because of hyperacidity… i used to drain 5 mugs of it a day…
Reblogged this on The Jackson Diner.
The best coffee I have ever had was at ‘Zarraffas’ in southeast Queensland, Australia.
The perfect blend.
I am a caffeine addict too but told to stay away from the coffee pots. I make the worst. Tea has more caffeine in it. Cute post.
Congrats on FP. Nasty coffee is a crime Another crime is the flocks of sheep gracing the door of Starbucks. That is some nasty coffee! The words “grande” and “verde” will never cross my lips. I refuse! Kudos to the empire they’ve managed to build on the back of buzz words like ethical, and free trade. Give me a break corporate giant! Support independent local shops serving locally or truly ethical products. In Vancouver – Spirit Bear is a great company. Cafe Abruzzo on Commercial drive serves a special cup – pretentious Mac books at every table replaced by old Italian gentlemen wagering on the football (soccer) matches playing on TV.
There’s nothing like starting on the right foot with the right coffee, It brings good thoughts of what the day is about to offer 😀
you remind me of my husband! he will not put ANYTHING into his coffee!
It took me a while to get to the point where I could drink black coffee, but after experiencing great tasting coffee I realized that I didn’t need to add anything. I would put so much cream and sugar in my coffee that whatever flavor the beans were was unrecognizable. One day I just had to cut it all out cold turkey. I’m glad I did!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Couldn’t agree more… coffee taste great just the way it is. 😀
nice post..
congrats of being coffee-freshly pressed
Wonderful post! Congrats on being freshly pressed! 🙂
Agreed! My true affair with coffee started in Sweden. That’s when we fell in love. Now, we have a long-standing faithful and consistent relationship that is rooted in good-ness, kindness and respect. Thanks for posting.
Why drink coffee at all when there’s beer? Or any kind of booze for that matter! For every occasion we picked you a nice drink. And you better be sure they all beat coffee! 😉
http://lordsofthedrinks.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/where-to-drink-what/
Thanks for the link. I’m a huge craft beer fan as well. We have some incredible local breweries here in the Raleigh area. I haven’t gotten to the point where I’d rather have a good beer first thing in the morning as opposed to a cup of coffee, but I’ve thought about it 🙂
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Ahh yes I know exactly what you mean! Beer from local breweries can be awesome. Some of them produce beer without preservatives. This has an amazing taste!
Agreed! Actually, some of my favorite beers are brewed with locally roasted coffee. That’s some good stuff.
Really? Hmmm sounds like an interesting flavor… Never tried smt like that. Is it any good?
It’s sooo good! Here’s one of my favorites. The coffee beans and the beer are roasted and brewed less than a mile from my house. http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/big-boss-aces-ates-coffee-stout/69325/
Cool! I will try to find smt like that close to here! 😀
We think our deepest when we think in metaphor. Well connected.
Interesting what it represents to you. I live in seattle the birth home of the international empire of coffee (starbucks) and I can tell you coffee here for the majority of people does not represent community hard work. or friendships, it’s sad. But I’m glad that you can find more pleasure in the good thing that coffee is. Good job
Beautiful (Sniff-Sniff) Just beautiful. I committed to a wonderful coffee as well. never looked back.
Loved the description 🙂
Your blog kept me laughing! Thanks for this!
Love it. It’s not just what we ingest physically–but what we watch in media, listen to, etc. They stop feeding us crap when we stop partaking of it, right?
I just bought a Keurig and instant regret it. Just not the same! http://socalmistress.wordpress.com/
I’m not a huge fan of the Keurig either, but I have a good friend who bought an AeroPress and uses the Keurig as an almost instant hot water dispenser. The water is filtered and comes out at a great temperature for brewing coffee. Might be worth a shot.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
I’d love to learn about the coffee club you started. I am lucky and know several roasters but not so many coffee drinkers. Sounds like a coffee club could change that. Any advice on starting one?
The coffee club was honestly just started as a way for a couple of friends and I to enjoy great coffee and split the cost. Both of them worked for tech companies so that night we had a website and I’m on twitter more than I probably should be, so I signed us up for an account. We started leaving reviews of the coffee so we’d remember what we thought of it. Then people and roasters started finding out about what we were doing and wanted in. We keep the cost low, but really encourage everyone to write reviews so the roasters know what the average consumer thinks of their coffee. We don’t even meet up at this point. Just buy the coffee, distribute it and get people to comment on it. Pretty simple.
Hope that helped. Feel free to email me directly for any other questions to make sure I get it, ajviola@gmail.com
Thanks for reading and commenting!
There’s nothing like a good cup of coffee in the morning!
I am truly a coffee OCD about coffee. My husband and I grind our beans every morning. We only use and love certain brands and indeed I agree that what you buy and eat you support…a lot to be said about that!
Bad makes me weak instead of giving me extra energy!
Thanks so much for this article. We’re making a move from the Seattle area to Chapel Hill, NC. It’s a move from the coffee mecca to the not-so mecca of java. It’s hard to find a good cup of coffee in the south. Texas is the words (if I may add that). Glad to know that there’s good to know there are some good roasters in Raleigh. I’ll have to check out Raleigh Coffee Club and Love Wins when we hit the ground back in the dear ol South. Great to know that there’s good coffee for a great cause!
We should grab a cup of coffee one you make the move to the Triangle! The local coffee scene is growing strong here.
AJ,
I checked out your profile and see that you work for a church in Raleigh. I’m a church planter moving out to Carrboro to plant. We’ll be there in a over a month. I’d love to grab some coffee and I’d love to hear more about your church and ministry. Cheers!
Great blog btw.
That’s cool man. I have a good friend who planted in the Chapel Hill area. You guys should hang out too.
I no longer drink coffee because it makes me a little crazy. But I understand completely: I used to care a lot about ‘good’ coffee, and now feel equally passionate about good tea.
Very cleverly written.
I am a coffee lover myself and have progressed in my relationship as well.
I love taking it to the next step to find out who you are actually supporting.
Reblogged this on whatsnext2013's Blog.
Love. x
Got to love coffee! Great read.
i taught i was the only one who has this love hate relationship with coffee
You are not alone my friend! Mine has turned more into, I love good coffee and hate bad coffee, but you are not alone!
Thanks for reading!
I totally understand, but I guess it’s different here in morocco. We never know where our coffee comes from, probably where anything comes from. But, still we can’t help it but hate bad coffee 😉 .
I totally know what you mean when you say that it takes you longer to make coffee at home than most people. My husband and I only make hand-drip at home. It takes so much longer than normal drip coffee, but it is so worth it. Like you, my coffee consumption is no longer about just getting caffeine (although there is that component!). It’s a daily ritual that I look forward to. Only the best, most ethically grown and roasted coffee will do!
I noticed that you said you live in Raleigh, NC. We live about an hour away and often take little weekend trips to Raleigh. As there any coffee places you would suggest we check out next time? We usually hit up Third Place Coffeehouse but we are always looking for new places to add to our repertoire.
That’s so cool. Third Place is pretty good, but I would definitely go to Jubala. In my opinion, it’s the best coffee in Raleigh. There’s also morning times, cafe Helios and Benelux all have good coffee.
There are also some great local roasters whose beans you can buy. Search for Raleigh Coffee Company, Cafe Muertos and Counter Culture.
Love it! Coffee: It’s a lifestyle. Great post and what an excellent way of looking at not only every cup. but everything else in our lives that is important. xx
Amen to this – coffee is definitely about community and relationships. Making homemade coffee at home on a nice, sunny Sunday morning with the family is the highlight of my week. Well said.
I’m in the rookie stages of my relationship with coffee but I can’t do without it every morning.
It brings so many people together when you think about it.
Keep drinking!
Keep writing!
Haha! Would you consider linking up with me?
i love my french press!
I am a guilty moccona coffee drinker but am much more picky with tea. Maybe that’s cos i am chinese.
But i do respect the occidental obsession with coffee. Anyone tried weasel coffee from vietnam?
#CoolBlogPost @DrAnthony
I. Love. Coffee.
Great post! I’m still newly exploring the world of “good” coffee. It’s an exciting time 😉
Tallulah
http://choosesimplicitydotorg.wordpress.com/
the world of ‘good coffee’ has now been in Melbourne for a generation, but it’s starting to get silly! Slow drip, first press, virginal beans from volcanic soils that is served medium roasted with a blend of …..and the list goes on!
I love coffee. My city loves coffee. but even I think it needs to stop somewhere and you are only fueling people’s obsessions with posts like this!
http://meandmymoustache.wordpress.com/
I agree with you on some level. It can get a little out of control at times. But if there’s ever anything I want to be accused of going overboard with…it’s caring deeply for people and how my actions and daily choices affect other human beings. For that I am guilty as charged and will continue to encourage others to do as well.
keep up the good beans 🙂
Reblogged this on Oyia Brown.
I am currently reading this in the dark with a full coffee press of espresso. You are a kind soul for all that you do to help!
Love it,
Mr Matt
http://www.MrMattPieroni.com
This made me so happy to have someone else vocalize these things! Some people think I’m crazy about how specific I am about the coffee I buy and drink (and yes, it’s specific, not picky).
Congrats on FP. So true what you say. I just touched on this topic the other day when soemone called me a coffe snob. It is so much more than a warm jolt of caffeine to me too! Thanks for sharing…I’m glad someone knows where I am coming from! Cheers to coffee, our love for it and what it represents!
Completely agree! The rise of the K-Cup has really turned the coffee market into shambles
This is why I don’t drink coffee. lol But I understand the sentiment. 🙂
Reblogged this on bigcityambition.
Great post! And congrats on getting Freshly Pressed! This is huge, we vote and agree and choose based on how we spend our money. The more I delve into human trafficking issues, the more apparent this becomes. The case for coffee also stands for chocolate, shoes, toys. I’m so glad that we have the resources at our fingertips to make those good choices and support life and justice though those little things like the coffee we drink. Thanks for sharing!
I really like your blog and would love you to feature on mine, http://www.5thingstodotoday.com. All you have to do is write five suggestions along with a link back to your site. Please check out the blog and see the sort of things people have written about.
Congrats on getting freshly pressed while talking about freshly pressin’ some coffee! Love the post, keep it up!
Love the post! And I am nothing less than a coffee addict myself. Keep it going
Amen to this! Great blog, can’t stand hot milk that big chains pass off as coffee.
Woooooo! I get so fucking hyped from coffee, and I can’t tell what coffee is better or not! I commend your support for fairtrade products though! coolbeans!
Great post – I hate bad coffee too – just can’t drink it. Congrats on being freshly pressed
I really like the coffee with its different flavors. I always feel the freshness of the beans when I go around them. Congrats on getting freshly pressed, Keep it up
Thanks for bringing up this point. Yet — even when people denounce Starbucks I will never turn down a Caramel Macchiato (even though it’s not even a true macchiato to my understanding). 😉 Maybe I need to try a really good, quality cup for a mark of contrast. 🙂
Same thing here, I’ve got a good 1kg of freshly ground coffee from a local coffee farm! Coming from a country who also produces its local coffee, I definitely agree with your point. Good coffee doesn’t have to come from fancy cafes. Good coffee is a labor of love. Let’s support our local farmers and contribute to our society. Cheers (to a cup of coffee)!
I couldn’t agree with you more!
Good thinking! I also try to do my bit by buying stuff (cosmetics) from companies that encourage Fair Trade. Some of the best Latte I’ve tasted were locally produced in South India and sold in little coffee shops.
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
Hear here and well stated. Taste with tact.
PS In Ireland we have a cure for coffee that doesn’t taste too good – we even gave it a name!
Coffee!!! 😀
“Bad Coffee Makes Me Sad”
I feel the same about bad beer. It should be made illegal.
thanks
After a month long trip to Guatemala, coffee here in Canada is a pale shadow. I long yet again for the brewed by the cup, house roasted, house grown and harvested flavour of true coffee from Moonfish Cafe in San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala.
Wow, nice post! Recently in the North of Thailand I went to Doi Tung which is a huge coffee project started in the Chiang Rai province of Thailand to give work to former opium farmers. A great initiative started by the Princess Mother of Thailand. Coffee can bring good to others all around the world!
Agreed. Though like a crack addict with a less than sumptuous selection of crack, I’ll still drink bad coffee. Sigh…
Great post. Coffee. Drink of the gods. Preparation > anticipation > gratification. Current coffee system of choice is my aeropress.
Interesting. Being Kenyan, I always love to see Kenyan coffee beans in places like Starbucks because I know it somehow supports our economy…
I understand your feeling.
I love coffee and I always goes after famous brand.
that’s why i always get it from the best stores.
The first time I drank Coffee I Felt weird and a little sick like I just ate twelve barrels of Coffee
Amen to that. I ❤ good coffee and I ❤ our local coffee shops.
I love what you're doing with the Raleigh coffee group…very cool idea (and cool city….says a Raleighite, of course!)
destressyoga.wordpress.com
totally agree!
feel free to take a look at my blog!
I can´t stand bad coffee either. I have recently gone back to my previous coffee addiction, only to be a tad stronger this time round. Good news for me is that I can find better quality coffee in many places in UK these days.
I love this! Good coffee…ahhhh, it makes every terrible morning tolerable 🙂
Couldn’t agree more!! Also, very well written!
It really makes me sad..
Life s too short for bad music , stale poems or inferior lattes
I am too a coffee degen 🙂
The worst coffee I have ever drank was in Poland. Seriously, anywhere in Poland – people there just don’t know what the coffee is and how it should be prepared. Give them the best water and finest coffee beans and you will get a see-through brownish water-like drink that is ashamed to be called even the hundreth cousin of the real coffee.
No offense, Polish people. I love you all. Just not your coffee preparing… ermmm… “techniques” or “traditions” or “national taste” or whatever that is 🙂 Piece 😀
Good job helping people be more aware of the impact their coffee can have! My family and I live in Guatemala and work with coffee farmers and their communities. We help them sell their coffee for a better price and better their community by giving them ACCESS to resources! We help them help themselves out of poverty. So when people buy our coffee at http://www.gcworks.biz they not only get delish freshly roasted coffee they also make a difference for these families! Keep writing girl and enjoy your good coffee!
That’s really cool. I’m not a girl, but I appreciate the compliment 🙂
oops…so sorry! I didn’t pay close enough attention to your profile!!!
brew more coffee with good taste n drink them 🙂
Thoughtful words.
what’s life without a good cup of coffee?
………… I wouldn’t know -> I’d still be in bed. 🙂
Reblogged this on Baby & Kids Clothing For Momz & Dadz and commented:
the best source of a nutrient i like to call “Pitch”
Yes. Good coffee makes my day. Bad coffee can ruin it.
What a kick-ass way to view coffee.
100% agree! It’s always satisfying to know that every cup that you drink helped someone else.
well, I should love my own coffee. 🙂
It astounds me how quality of coffee alters quality of mood and well being. A good quality coffee doesn’t even make me jittery. A semi good coffee creates a creative high – which disappears as soon as I return home to get to work. A bad coffee… well, so many consequences…
Amen! Bad coffee (flavor, quality, and sourcing) can throw off my entire morning. Good coffee = great day!
I guess it’s bad that I drink coffee from those cappuchino machines at 7-11.. Hey don’t judge me, the French Vanilla is pretty good!!!
me to loves coffe more………..
I’m drinking bad coffee now, but I am stuck at work and have to drink the coffee provided 😦
I’m ashamed to admit I’ve only ever considered it bad coffee when its bad flavour. You have opened my eyes to just how naive and selfish I have been. I trust the world to much to only give me whats good. Good coffee only from now on for me.
Bad coffee really makes me weak! And sad too!
I truly love that our society here in the U.S. has evolved into a co-dependency on coffee. Not just because it’s created a new industry, jobs, etc., but because of the whole social aspect of coffee houses and places where people can visit, meet and enjoy a hot brew together. Twenty-five years ago, the closest you got to a daily shared experience was waiting for the restroom key at the gas station. I love the tradition of morning coffee in the same way Brits love their tea. Except, of course, that coffee is way cooler…
Reblogged this on spainglishjami and commented:
I feel this way about my friend, C!
Agreed!
Great post. Thank you! And how about a conflict free iPhone too!
it’s so true..thanks for sharing..I look forward to reading more from you 🙂
Gosh….you speak to my coffee drinking soul. I completely agree and have allowed my own relationship with coffee to mature. Thank you fellow coffe drinker for a honest and fun piece.
A good coffee is like a good wine! Once you have had the good stuff, its hard to go back to the cheep inferior product. Our coffee obsession has gotten so out of hand my husband has even purchased his own roaster. Buys green coffee beans and fresh roasts everything himself. The grinds and uses a chemix to brew. The process takes so much longer, but so worth the time involved
Woah!
bad coffee is like an insult…. especially when you’re paying for it…..
I am not a coffee lover like you, but you remind me to be aware of the other foods, and businesses, that I buy and therefore support. Thank you!
I raise my cup (of coffee) to you for reminding me that good coffee can be even better for the right reasons.
Reblogged this on eloisetaylor5693.
I too have a coffee crush and must always be aware of where/who it comes from and that it supports more than my daily habit. Great post.
Reading this post caused me to tear up. Not only do you love coffee like me, you are a humanitarian consumer of same! Having served the public trust and sipped many a bad cup of coffee late at night to keep myself awake while pulling midnight shifts, I am thankful for the great gift that is Keurig coffee making technology. The Wright brothers accomplished a lot for mankind, but so did Mr. Keurig (or whatever the guy or gal’s name is that designed that thing — and those expensive little pods I horde that go in it).
coffee addict here too .
High 5! I Love Coffee too! and Yes, Bad Coffee affects me really bad. :))
Thank you, A.J., for writing this!
I work in a cafe that sells Gimme Coffee, and would rate as very good by your standards. It is thoroughly delicious! I have recently fallen in love with espresso and how it looks as it’s dripping from the portafilter, and how it tastes when it’s done perfectly.
Although I personally never adulterate my coffee with synthetic syrups, I do add milk once in a while. But, because I make all the flavored lattes, I am constantly tasting them to see how they come out. I just pour a small taste in a espresso cup before I hand the latte to the customer.
after drinking so much coffee from so many places, I discovered that it is ok (in my world) to put cream, sugar in your coffee and have flavored lattes, because nothing can mask the taste of old, stale, over-roasted beans.
Sad that mainstream coffee drinkers have been desensitized and don’t know the difference. They think it’s cool to buy a coffee drink that is all hype and promotion, but doesn’t support the well-being of those involved in its production. That’s not cool anymore.
a good coffee can really start your day!
enjoyed reading this with a cup of coffee! especially liked the analogy, and of course, the lesson! look forward to another great coffee break read!
So agree on this one. Bad coffee makes us sad:((
Bad coffee should be illegal… LOL
I live in Canada, and order my coffee from a great LA coffee shop. It’s the best, for me. And nothing less will get me going in the AM. Amen!
as a coffee addict myself, i can absolutely relate!!!
What an excellent post! I can completely relate to this! Especially on the part that bad coffee makes you sad, because you know how good it can be. For me it isn’t a caffeine shot either, it’s the taste that makes me feel satisfied and happy. I just love the taste of good coffee. I’m going to make myself a cup of hazelnut cappuccino with vanilla sugar now.
Speak my mind!
i love coffee and I’m about to go get a cappuccino in a few.
The title of the post cracked me up! This has been my life since I moved to La Grange, TX a few months ago. Whether I used tap water or bottles, the coffee is bad. Why??? Why????
With just a splash of cream, It opens up the aromas, gives longevity to the mouth feel. I promise. It’s the same principle as a splash of water in bourbon, Or salt on meat right before it is cooked. But if you insist on drinking it black……call it “John Wayne.” People get a kick out of that. Cheers
Bad coffee makes me mad!
Here in Serbia we have a whole ritual about brewing and drinking coffee. It’s not just a cup of hot brown liquid; it’s a way of life!
well, as long as the coffee doesn’t kill me, i will have it! 🙂
Also going to reblog this on http://andyhodgson2000.wordpress.com/ to spread the word, maybe it will eventually reach whoever buys the coffee where I work
Reblogged this on Andy knows everything! and commented:
Couldn’t have said it any better myself, so I borrowed AJ’s words instead
Coffe is like wine. Once you taste the good stuff you can never go back to the cheap stuff…..never.
So true! (although never tasted wine in that scene)
This is where I buy my good, fairtrade coffee in the UK 🙂 http://www.timpeaks.com/home/
Yippee!!! Fellow (good coffee) lovers unite! Thanks for saying what we are all thinking! 🙂
I love your blog on “bad coffee makes you sad”…I have a tea business…but I also love drinking a hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning…Smiles, Cindi
the problem is there is so much bad coffee out there. Most people really don’t know what a good cup of coffee is. There is a local coffee shop where I live they roast their own coffee and get only the best beans. http://www.moondoggiecoffee.com. It really makes me sad and baffles me when someone goes across the street to buy a cup of coffee at the Krauzers with their burnt coffee and people like it YUCK
I agree 100%. I’m of Brasilian descent, and I get mean without my cuppa java. Good java. Bitter, rich, delicious…fuck it I’m out to make a cup right now!
Wallace
Right on!
Reblogged this on off the record.
Ugh this post just made me so sad, mainly because I gave up coffee for Lent and I wish I could enjoy an amazing cup of amazing jo. I agree as well that coffee is a communal habit and practice – who doesn’t love to go grab a cup of coffee. It’s warm, it’s good, it is definitely love.
Congrats on being pressed!
http://www.suazmopolitan.com
Reblogged this on thecoffeecupmonologues and commented:
nice read on coffee
Being a lover of coffee myself, I thoroughly enjoyed this post. You totally made coffee come alive and make me rethink where I get my coffee. Cheers.
Hey I loved this post so much that I’ve linked to it in my recent post about coffee. My relationship with coffee completely mirrors yours!
Thanks
Thanks so much for sharing and for reading. Good to know we’re not alone in our coffee relationships!
I am SO with you on this! Making that perfect cup of coffee is a bit art, a bit science. We are working on the science….trying our THIRD coffee maker in as many months! Not satisfied yet, since the last best one broke!
Coffee is the one thing I’m fussy about, and I love my relationship with it. I write this as I’m ready to take the first sip of my P.M. cup. Ah, yes, enjoy!
Im also a coffee lover. just the brewed is fine with me. what matters most is the right blend, temperature, enough sugar and creamer.