Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Coffee!

Now, anyone who knows me knows that I love coffee. So I thought I'd do a little post on why I love it and how I became so...for lack of a better term, obsessed.


It started one summer during school when I had an office desk job as a summer student. The job was very much a 'run out the clock' situation.


5pm couldn't arrive fast enough. It was a constant fight.

I've always loved the smell of coffee, but yes, even to those who know me well, there actually was a time where I couldn't stand the taste of coffee.

Even still though, if I could somehow set up a timer to wake me up to the smell of coffee every morning, I would, although that would definitely up my chances of burning things down due to faulty wiring...or stupidity.
The cafe at the front of the building had a self-serve type deal - it smelled absolutely wonderful with flavours like 'vanilla bean hazelnut', 'orange mocha' or 'clever chocolate'. They all tasted the same, the most vile tasting sludge ever.
One day, my cousin was visiting Toronto from Florida due to work, and he asked me to try his then favourite drink, a caramel macchiato.

The experience was enlightening.

I remember the first time I ever had a triple shot of espresso, I came home wanted to get something from my room. The next thing I knew I was at the top of the stairs without remembering climbing them at all.

Gradually, I became less and less accustomed to sweet drinks, where at one time I loved them, I can barely stand a Caramel Macchiato now.
Slowly I started to warm up to coffee and grow accustomed to the different tastes and essentially 'found my drink'. Currently either an Espresso Macchiato or an Iced Americano.

It wasn't until I moved to LA and went to what became my most favourite coffee shop ever, that I discovered what good coffee was.

For the first time, I tasted straight espresso that was creamy, rich and sweet - with hints of vanilla, hazelnut and chocolate. With no additives! It was love at first sip.


Now, mornings usually don't start til I have coffee. Without some, I'm a useless pile of blob. The staff at my local Starbucks can attest to that.

Coffee also brings people together. A few friends and myself have been able to go to one of our new favourite coffee shops in Toronto, Lit Espresso Bar, and be very productive, social and relaxed all at the same time. Coffee is the new beer.


After visiting so many coffee shops (so, so many) certain things start to jump out at you. Especially when they're reoccurring. As a result, I've been able to discern a certain number of barista 'types'. These are a few of them.

My friends Jon and Jeremy created a drink at Starbucks they lovingly refer to as "The Killer". I decided to be daring and try 3 shots instead of the recommended 2. The results were less than favourable.


I'm hoping that one day it rains coffee from the sky. If that happens, the world will be a more pleasant smelling and delicious place. It may also become faster paced and crazier, but we'll ignore that for now.

I sincerely think there's a whole untapped market for coffee flavoured/coffee influenced products. Someone should get on that and make it happen.
I'd buy it.

I think I have a problem.

R.


21 comments:

Moro Rogers said...

If I ever had a band I'd call it 'Coffee Angel.'

Brian said...

Caramel Macchiato used to be my favourite drink as well, but it makes me feel sick afterwards now. Still tastes amazing on the way down. Like the milk at the bottom of a bowl of Sugar Crisp!

40deuce said...

hilarious dude.
coffee is my hero too

~KT~ said...

Ha-ha I love this. Good stuff.

trevor dalmer said...

that's pure amazingness ! so many hilarious parts. that coffee candle would really fly.. u should get on that. great post friend.. i look fwd to seeing the next :)

Anonymous said...

Deep! You finally did your coffee blog. I think you got the barista stereotypes correct (especially the drug addict). Once I get my apartment, I expect you to take me to Lit. Just sayin'. <3 Hilary

Alexis Barattin said...

as someone who also lives in TO, i want to put forth my theory that people in TO are coffee crazy. seriously, we have a collective problem. a delicious, delicious collective problem.

irene said...

aww I wish I was a coffee drinker!!

manpreet said...

Hey, great blog (but you made me look thinner than I really am (thanks)). What about coffee flavored STAMPS and ENVELOPES? -Cousin

Louise Smythe said...

hey i saw your message on twitter and man your work is awesome! love your sketchbook pages a lot! :D

Floyd Norman said...

Love your coffee story, Randeep. Now if we can only get Disney to produce it.

Sean Ward said...

Love your drawing, great style. I'll be watching for more.

Unknown said...

Randeep, this is awesome.

Jess said...

Great story! Loved the graphics. I don't drink coffee so I found it extra humorous. And yes, I've smelled the "killer" before and it doesn't smell good.

Kt Shy said...

Panel 2 cracks me up every time I see it XD

Colin Jack said...

hilarious well done sir!

Gabby Zapata said...

this was the best thing ive read in a longgg time! Haha, I'm a bit of a coffee addict myself. This was a well-put way of describing the emotions one goes thru! Well gone :) Very fun!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, this post is excellent!! I giggled all the way through!

Lauren said...

best post ever. love this. coffee fuels my life.

Anonymous said...

Awesomee bro Luv_ Bhavsi K

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