Small Coffee with Foam

I never used to be a coffee person. For years, I prided myself on my ability to perform my daily routine without the aid of caffeine. I never understood why people felt the need to guzzle hot brown liquid before starting their day. It just didn’t compute. 

It was only when I started frequenting European cafés that I finally understood the appeal of the aforementioned hot brown liquid. Now, one of my favorite activities is sitting at an outdoor café, sipping a caffé macchiato (no, not the one from Starbucks), and watching the world go by. This little indulgence became my obsession. Everywhere I went, I sought out chic cafés with al fresco seating. I learned to love the caffé macchiato in Italy, the caffé cortado in Spain, and the noisette in France. Each is slightly different than the other but, all are equally satisfying and teeny. 

I fell in love with this specific coffee drink because of its simplicity, ease of sipping, and foam. There is something so delightful about foam. Cappuccinos and lattes were too big of a commitment but, the caffé macchiato, caffé cortado, and noisette – they were juuuust right! I never felt guilty or over-indulgent if I ordered another. This petite beverage was meant to be enjoyed exactly how I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, America is severely lacking in coffee culture. We are conditioned to believe that coffee can only be procured out of drive-thru windows and is consumed while racing to work. In my opinion, coffee is not meant to be slugged out of a “venti” takeaway cup. This hot brown liquid should be enjoyed slowly with friends or with a great book.

I believe that life is meant to be lived (I know cliché) – and coffee is meant to be enjoyed. Next time you find yourself rushing around - stop; take 10 minutes to sip your coffee at a table - out of a REAL cup and let me know how you feel.