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Welcome to the Coffee Culture

© Chris Rothe

Hello once again! I feel I may be drowning my readers in opinionated, philosophical insight, so I'll try to keep it to a minimum. While I'm on the subject of my previous articles, I urge you to read and reply. It's so nice to hear from people who share or disagree with my views. Anyhow, on to the article.

Have you been to many coffee shops lately? When you do go, how much attention do you pay to the menus? You could have just plain coffee, the way it used to be, or you could be adventurous. You could have a Latte, which is espresso with steamed milk. Or if you really go out on a limb, you could have a decaf, ristretto shot, half sweet vanilla, non fat, extra hot, with whip, mocha. Sounds kind of rediculous, doesn't it?

It may have a rather rediculous and, in a way, snobby, sound to it, but it really is different. Quite different than I once thought. I see a lot of art and culture in the coffee shops of today. Some humorous reflections, such as the old cliche; tall dark and hansome; paired with it's coffee counterpart; the tall, dark and full bodied. True, I may be reaching with that one, but I see a lot more than just little coincidences in the world of coffee.

In a way, the coffee houses are drug dealers, dispensing precious fluids to an eagerly addicted public. To the people who have made coffee a way of life, the coffee bar of today has become a cocktail lounge. It's an affluent escape from the day to day. It's a laid back place in which you can actually relax in an otherwise overwhelming society. It's bliss, what more can I say. I can think of nothing better than a nice warm cup of french roast coffee and a book after a hard day's work, or for than matter, any time at all. It's euphoric, coffee is a state of mind. It's become an ever growing facet of our day to day lives. Perhaps it may be reaching too far though. I live in Vancouver. If you walk down the street, it is a guarantee that you will run into at least one Starbucks. If you are downtown, it's a guarantee that you will run into at least six or seven. Is this a good thing? I think so. The coffee culture is a revolution. It is an underground movement that promotes relaxation, exposes you to art is the form of a beverage. Forget love. Coffee is the drug.