Dark Rich Delicious - My Affair With Coffee #InternationalCoffeeDay

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My longest relationship ever, has been with coffee. I honestly do not remember the first time I started having coffee. I remember making cups of coffee every two hours during my late night studies as a student, so I definitely was hooked to caffeine at an early age. No complains though. Coffee has been a constant for me in every phase of my life. While I prefer a deep, dark brew now, earlier I used to consume instant coffee with hot milk and no sugar. The BRU coffee containers that are used to store groceries at my parents' house is testament to the amount of coffee I consumed while staying there.

Tea has never been my, well, cup of tea. While I do enjoy green tea and an occasional iced tea, tea with milk is something that I have never tried. Nor I will. I'm known to make excellent masala tea, but I swear I haven't even tasted a drop of it. Ever. Something about the smell irks me and I cannot bring myself to sip it. Over time, I developed an aversion to milk, turning my coffee black. While I do enjoy milk in my cold coffee or in an ice-cream, I was just not able to palate it as part of hot coffee. Thus began my actual love affair with coffee.

There’s something magical about that first sip of rich, strong, black coffee. It’s more than a daily ritual - it’s a soul connection. Every morning, as I pour hot water over those freshly ground beans, the rich aroma fills the air, and I feel grounded, alert, and present. Coffee, for me, isn’t just a beverage; it’s an experience, a moment of peace, and a jolt of inspiration all wrapped into one. My day doesn't begin until I have my first cup of coffee. Everyone says it is not right to consume coffee on an empty stomach, but that is something I choose to ignore. Nothing stands between my dark brew and me every morning. No milk, no sugar - just coffee in its purest form, strong and unapologetic, just the way I like it. Just the way I am.

Once I shifted to the dark side, I’ve never understood the appeal of adding milk to coffee. To me, it dilutes the beauty of the brew, stripping away its robust essence. Milk covers up the complexity of the beans, the dark, earthy notes that I crave. Some people swear by their filter coffees, lattes and cappuccinos, but that’s just not my style. I want the coffee to hit hard, to wake me up with a jolt, not a whisper. It’s about the intensity, the boldness of flavor, and I’m not about to let anything water it down. Most Americanos disappoint too, with the tepid taste of coffee against lukewarm water. An Americano with an extra shot of espresso does the trick. Mostly.

My love for coffee has taken me far beyond the confines of my local cafés. My trip to Vietnam early this year opened my eyes to some of the most intriguing coffee experiences I’ve ever had. Vietnamese coconut coffee, with its rich, creamy texture derived not from dairy milk but from coconut milk, was a revelation. It is nutty, yet the coffee’s strength remains intact, creating a beautifully balanced cup. The dried coconut flakes add a crunch that leaves a delicious texture on your palate never once ignoring the taste of coffee. And then there’s egg coffee - an unexpected delight that combines the richness of egg yolk with robust coffee. It may sound odd, but it’s a silky, decadent experience that blends beautifully with the strong brew beneath it. Dip a warm, flaky croissant in it and you have the most delicious combo ever!

What I can’t stomach now though, is instant coffee. The disappointment I feel when presented with a cup of that stuff is almost personal. It lacks the depth, the aroma, the ritual. I want coffee that’s been cared for, made with intention. And weak, tepid coffee from machines? It’s even worse. I've been contemplating on bringing home a coffee machine, those fancy ones you see on Western television, but I doubt if it will have the same effect. Coffee should be an experience, not a lackluster shadow of one. Coffee granules and water in a pot, brought to a level of heat just until the first hint of a boil, strained directly into a mug and sipped immediately. That's my cup of coffee! A half-hearted brew simply doesn’t cut it. The bitterness, the warmth, the intensity; all must be present, or it’s not worth the cup. Thanks to my persnicketiness about this, the only coffee I wholeheartedly enjoy is the one made by me!

The aromas of freshly brewed coffee are something I look forward to each day. There’s a certain warmth to it that nothing else compares to. The smell alone has a way of lifting my mood, wrapping me in its comforting embrace. There’s something primal, earthy, and undeniably calming about it. The moment it hits my senses, the world feels a little more aligned, a little more manageable. It’s like my day doesn’t truly begin until that scent fills the room. Coffee is, without a doubt, good for the soul and let’s not forget, for the body, too. A good cup is loaded with antioxidants, boosting energy, improving focus, and even uplifting the spirit. It’s my secret weapon, a companion through both the calm and chaos of life. While I do rely on protein powders, green juices and supplements, coffee remains my steadfast ally. It fuels my creativity, powers me through working and writing sessions, and keeps me alert when I need it most.

In the end, coffee is more than a drink to me. It’s an experience, an aura, a moment of joy that I savor with each sip. There’s something intimate about holding that cup, feeling the warmth radiate through my hands, knowing that in that moment, all is well. And when it’s rich, strong, and black, this soul-stirring elixir is pure perfection.

I have spoken about my love for food a million times before, but this ode to coffee was needed this International Coffee Day. 

So, how do you like your coffee?