Sunday 13 July 2008

Can I have a burnt macchiato with a twist of instant?


What is it with coffee drinkers? In the past decade or two the quality of coffee available around the world has generally skyrocketed. The variety of coffee choices is huge - espresso, macchiato, ristretto, latte, cappuccino, mugaccino, flat white, long black, mocha, affogato, espresso corretto, cafe au lait, cafe freddo...

Not only do we have an enormous choice of coffee styles, but a huge array of combinations we can order to make the 'perfect coffee' , with variations including low fat, soy, skim, decaf, organic... (We haven't even started to talk about the choice of coffee bean, its origin and the social implications of same).

Despite the increased choice, sophistication and penetration of great coffee in the past 10 years, it seems increasingly common to hear complaints like: It's burnt , it's too strong, too weak, tastes like instant, too cold, too much milk, too little froth, not as good as at Pedro's, it's too thick, there's no crema... Soon Baristas will be paid more than Barristers to keep the discerning coffee drinkers of this world happy. Perhaps the increased choice has upgraded everyone's taste buds as well.

How often in a caffeine depleted low have you or people you know sought a caffeine hit in an unfamiliar cafe and, at the sight of a drip filter machine or even more inferior coffee culture, made a bee-line for the exit despite a world-crushing caffeine-free headache?

Are those who still live an oblivious existence on International Roast, or an equivalent instant, the losers in this world - or are they lucky to have escaped the caffeine elite with its constant disappointment?

6 comments:

Ryan said...

Hahaha... I drink coffee too. But I don't choose. Any coffee will do. But I would still prefer tea over coffee. Especially green tea. :D

Darwin said...

I'm afraid for years 've been a coffee snob - and have an aversion to instant... My choice of what to drink is easier than for most though - I'm fortunate / unfortunate that I don't drink milk or sugar. Black and Bitter - just like my men. almost.

Anonymous said...

Not a loser in this world without coffee, I am the lucky one who did not get that addiction.
You ask why the industry has skyrocketed...it is a HUGE money makeer. People went from paying 75 cents for a cup of coffe to around 3 dollars! Ouch!

Angus said...

At 7am the type of coffee doesn't matter. That all changes after 11am wardround.

Superchilled said...

I actually don't drink coffee.
These are my observations of those who do...
Give me caffeine and I'm bouncing off the walls, quite literally. Dangerous - but fun.

Monty said...

I would have said "anyone in Nth Qld" are still drinking instant, HOWEVER after my trip to Pt Douglas, I discovered that they too, have realized the delights of proper coffee! I was impressed! :-)