Coffee.

 I love coffee. I need coffee. If it's possible I think my blood type is coffee and my horoscope would be Coffeeria or something.

Had my first cup when I was 12 because I was curious about this drink that my mom had to have every morning. And surprisingly she allowed, and even encouraged me to try it. Coffee became the one thing we had in common (according to mom I wasn't easy during my teenage years). Then I thought coffee made me look cool in a safe way (compared to smoking) and so I had a cup everyday like mom. Still rude and rebellious though.

Coffee was with me throughout high school and university. Still thinking I looked cool with coffee.

Finally I started working and had my own income and so I had more options in terms of coffee (which really meant Starbucks, the fancy Starbucks). Realizing it was expensive, I allowed myself to have a mocha frappuccino with chocolate sauce and whipped cream only on Fridays. Coffee then not only was my lifestyle but it was also a delicious motivator to get me out of bed on Fridays. 

I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes a day before my 29th birthday. Had to see a nutritionist so sort out my carbs intake. She wrote down my daily eating habits and said I could only keep coffee in my diet but it had to be black or with only milk (bye fat Coke). I was so happy I could keep coffee. The one familiar edible in my life now that I had to learn how to eat healthy. 

Coffee became my source of comfort and it felt like my best friend when I had to say goodbye to my fats friends, my excess carbs friends, and my sugary friends. Good old Coffee stayed back and held my hand and said "We will do this together. I just need to be black that's all."

And so I continued to have coffee. Black coffee did not take long to get used to; I adapted after my first cup. Maybe because I was desperate to keep coffee in my life and so I didn't even care how bitter black coffee was. I just accepted it immediately. I think I got hooked with the much stronger caffeine boost also.

But Coffee's function changed quietly. It was no longer a habit. It truly became something I had to start my day with. I just had "say hi" to my best friend first thing in the morning or else I could not function. Soon I was introduced to the french press because my ex-boyfriend (now husband) did the math and said it would be cheaper in the long run if I used to french press to make starbucks quality coffee. I was over the moon! My coffee now had a little ritual and I am loving it. Needing coffee to get me ready for my day is even more comforting now. And so much cheaper. And so much nicer...

I was like, 33 then. 

Now being financially stable I felt I could explore more about coffee, since it has been with me when I was 12. I felt it would be fair to spend time and know more about my caffeinated best friend. 

Here comes the espresso machine, here comes the coffee bean grinder (one of the best choices I have ever made in my life), then here comes the hand drip coffee. If my place is bigger I would have gotten the siphon too. Then last year I subscribed to fresh roasted beans home delivery service. I can watch my coffee bloom every time I make it (shown in the photo above). 

Nowadays coffee is my lifestyle because I love everything about it. It's part of me. I enjoy exploring it and being very aware of the different tones in it (I'd read the packaging and see if I could taste something similar). I want to spend the rest of my life understanding my loyal caffeinated best friend.