Addict

I never thought I would be one of those people. You know the ones. They can't really start their day without their cup of joe. They get moody and irritable when there is not enough caffeine running through their system. They talk about how one type of coffee is richer or darker than another, or how this roast tastes nuttier, or that roast has chocolate undertones.

To me, coffee was always coffee. For the most part, I felt I could live without it. In college, I tried a latte here or there, but not knowing how to truly order one made me hesitate to even try. And plain coffee? Forget it!



I have changed. I think it started when I moved to California. My roommate and I would go down to the local Starbucks and order a drink now and then. I never "specialized" it. I would order straight off the menu...usually a caramel macchiato. Coffee began to grow on me.



Once I moved to Canada, I was a goner. We live a mere three hours from Seattle, the wonderful city where the Starbucks chain began. I began to learn the coffee lingo, ordering a nonfat this or that, an extra hot or half-sweet, no whip, light ice delicious creation. I learned how to order that special drink that was taylored just to my needs and tastes!



Once again, I developed and changed. Coffee now became something I enjoyed, but I still couldn't brew a cup of coffee that I loved at home. I recently discovered why.



I never knew that the coffee bean made such a difference. I had always bought the cheapo brand of already ground coffee beans from the grocery store. You know the kind, they come in the big tins and last forever. A few days ago I decided to try something different. I had a bag of coffee beans that someone had given me from Starbucks in my freezer. I took them out and ground just enough for what I needed in my morning coffee. I set the coffeemaker on automatic and left the rest to fate!



It was delicious! I always add creamer...specifically fat free hazelnut. The first day I tried it with the Starbucks coffee it was like drinking an entirely different cup of coffee! This morning was my third day of freshly ground beans and I don't think I will ever be able to go back. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have become a coffee snob. I will forever be buying the unground beans at Starbucks and grinding them fresh each day. So, if you are ever looking for a gift for me? Coffee beans will do, thank you very much!