Coffee to the Rescue!

Monday morning. It creeps up like a ninja. Midnight never saw it coming. Sunrise doesn’t care.

The alarm clock executes its heinous orders. The blaring sound is one of life’s most annoying realities. It was 9:17 p.m. Sunday, just ten minutes ago. How can it be 5:30 a.m. already?

The snooze button offers temporary relief, but for a scant few minutes. Soon it starts again.

Beep beep beep beep. That thing is relentless. In the end, it always wins.

A hot shower. Nothing worse than an unexpected cold one. Toothbrushes make the gym shoe breath go away. For about half the population, razor blades remove unwanted stubble.

Faint memories of the weekend wash down the drain. Dreams evaporate into space, even the good ones. The transformation process is in full swing.

The journey begins. This is when we are most vulnerable. And most dangerous. Not a morning person? Better back off.

Clear thought has not arrived yet. The morning drive, for months, served on a frozen seat, often means music or talk. The car might get to fourth gear quickly, but the brain is still in neutral.

How did two days go by so quickly?

There is only one solution.

Coffee.

The first sip brings a glimmer of hope.

For some, nothing can replace it. Without it, the day does not begin properly.

Some need multiple cups. Some need it throughout the day. Some go home and drink more of it.

Americans have an affection for this beverage. In fact, we consume over one hundred billion cups per year. Worldwide, over twelve billion pounds of coffee are consumed annually.

This is nothing new, as the first pot was brewed in the 15th century. It has come a long way since then but in many ways, has not changed at all.

The fresh smell of a newly opened can. Had to stick my face near it and take a long, deep whiff. Several times. Never got tired of it.

For years, our stove-top percolator showed its readiness with a visual alert. The joe jumping happily into the glass top like a dolphin out of water.

Then a popular baseball star named Joe became the pitch man for Mr. Coffee, a drip coffeemaker. It became quicker and easier. The coffee may have lost a bit of flavor, but it did not lose any popularity.

All the while, I can still see my grandpa using a spoon to slurp Sanka out of his old, cracked “Pop” mug. Boil water. Pour. Mix. Instant coffee.

Through the years, I must admit that my taste has evolved.

In my house, in the place where a pot of Folgers occupied counter space for decades, a single-cup Keurig machine now offers a vast selection. Coffee and tea of all flavors are readily available, as are hot chocolate, expresso, and others.

However, coffee shops have better ingredients, equipment and frankly, talent, therefore making better beverages than anything coming out of my kitchen. While the Keurig machine is fine for home use, when wanting really good mud, I need to go out.

There are myriad places worth consideration. In 2017, there were about 14,000 Starbucks and over 9,000 Dunkin’ Donuts locations in the US. Add restaurants, independent coffee shops, convenient stores and mini-marts and you never have to go too far.

Cappucino, Latte, Americano, Frappuccino, Macchiato, just to name a few. Hot drinks. Cold drinks. Nitro drinks. Molten lava and glacial ice drinks. Lots of options.

Fortunately, I am lucky to be near Jeremiah Joe’s. For the last nine years, they have helped me conquer the morning. Their products are awesome. Their selection is robust. DeWayne and company make the experience even better. If a day needs to begin, that’s a wonderful place to start it.

Now, some people will refuse to pay much for a cup of coffee; others will demand only the highest quality. Regardless of whether your java is store-bought, hand-crafted or if you enjoy both, it’s okay! If it works for you, then you’re drinking the right stuff.

Folks that judge by drink preferences need to consider a heaping teaspoon of lighten up and a switch to decaf.

This column originally appeared in the Times, a Shaw publication.