Black Gold
Why I can't get enough of the stuff
What is it about a good cup of coffee, especially on a chilly and rather windy autumn morning? Maybe you’re like me and find yourself captivated by the enticing aroma and rich, earthy taste of a well-brewed coffee.
To be honest I’m rather a coffee drinking snob. Sorry not sorry!
Maybe it has something to do with being a founder of a coffee establishment way back in 2006. But here’s the thing. I fell head over heels in love with the coffee experience so much so, I left a very successful career in radio and launched a coffee house. A rather crazy decision but it was an itch I had to scratch.
I thrived off the buzz of turning a warehouse into a hip and cool hang out for business founders and working professionals. A place where people could connect, join a community and share their ideas over good quality coffee.
I think I was trying to bring a little bit of NYC into the docks area of Cardiff. Coffee and donuts, posh bacon sandwiches and a co-working space below deck. I was certainly ahead of the coffeeshop chains in Wales at that time. I had huge vision to roll out a number of coffee establishments, with a contract signed to launch satellite coffee stores with a national private hospital chain. My plan worked. But, the unfortunate thing was, I really didn’t enjoy the business ownership side of coffeeshops, behind the scenes was complete chaos. I was out of my depth and in a very vulnerable position.
Then the 2008 recession kicked in! Blimey, as I write this, it’s bringing back so many memories, and boy do I have some stories to share on that experience. But it’s a tale for another day…
Yet here I am, a 49 year old coffee addict happy to reminisce about the highs and lows of coffeeshop ownership. For me, the allure of coffee with its deep and complex flavours is a cherished experience, a source of comfort, and sometimes, even a journey of nostalgia.
But what else is it about coffee that has the power to enchant us, body and soul? For some it’s the very essence of their lives and for others, it’s simply an essential item to kick start their day.
‘Coffee is a cup of hope is a world full of chaos’
Coffee isn’t just a drink, it’s a multifaceted experience that encompasses culture, history and nostalgia. How many of us love to meet up for a coffee? Whether to share stories, celebrate a special occasion or host a business meeting. If only the coffeehouse walls could talk eh?! Where do you enjoy drinking coffee? Do you have a favourite hangout? And which type of coffee are you enjoying these days.
Mine is a cortado - a beverage consisting of espresso mixed with a roughly equal amount of warm milk to reduce the acidity, although the exact ratios have considerable regional variation. The milk in a cortado is steamed, but not frothy and "texturized" as in many Italian coffee drinks. Simply delicious!
My love affair with coffee will go on and on for years to come. After all I keep reading research that drinking coffee has some really good health benefits, from boosting your metabolism to improving brain function in later life - what’s not to love?!
Until the next time
Take care & stay safe xx
I don’t drink coffee, although love the smell! Did you serve a decent cup of tea? 😂
I like the idea of it improving brain function! I always worry that I drink way too much of it, especially when I'm writing. I love the ritual of taking a break, making a coffee, and then sitting back down at my desk and watching the steam escape from the cup as I try to piece my sentences together. Inevitably it's always tepid by the time I actually drink it!