Introduction to Coffee

Coffee is something that many of us drink every day. For years, I thought coffee simply meant Nescafe or some other instant brand, a quick fix to get through the day. It wasn’t until about two years ago that I realized coffee could be so much more. This discovery not only changed the way I drink coffee but also opened up a whole new world of flavors, experiences, and connections.

What is Specialty Coffee?

Before we dive deeper, it’s important to understand what specialty coffee is. Specialty coffee refers to the highest quality beans that are grown in ideal conditions and are meticulously processed and roasted to highlight their best characteristics. Unlike commercial-grade coffee, which often sacrifices flavor for mass production, specialty coffee is all about the pursuit of perfection in every cup. Each batch is roasted to bring out unique flavor profiles, whether it’s fruity, floral, nutty, or chocolatey, and brewed with care to extract the best possible taste.

My Journey into Coffee

I started drinking coffee long before I understood its true variety. For me, coffee was just a tool—something to keep me awake during late-night classes or to grab on the way to a busy day. I had no idea that coffee could be an experience, a moment of presence and beauty in my daily life.

The Turning Point

But why should the average person, who’s content with their morning Nescafe or Starbucks, care about this? Why invest time and money in learning barista skills, buying scales, coffee makers, and other equipment just to sometimes end up with a less-than-perfect cup?

For me, the answer lies in learning to become present and noticing the beauty around me. Yes, beauty and coffee—two things that you might not immediately connect—have a deep relationship in my life. Let me tell you how.

Discovering the World of Coffee

The Brooklyn Experience

It all started when I was living in Brooklyn about two years ago. I was attending Design School, but I was miserable—depressed, homesick, and overwhelmed. One week, I was so frustrated that I stopped showing up to college. I was scared and paralyzed by the thought of entering the building. The only thing keeping me going was a strange craving to taste an espresso.

The James Hoffman Influence

A couple of weeks earlier, I had been sick and, with nothing else to do, I stumbled upon a video by James Hoffman, where he taught Tom Scott about coffee. Specifically, Tom Scott, who didn’t like coffee, was shown why he should care about it. Watching this video sparked my curiosity—was coffee really this complex, this nuanced? Could it be more than just a daily routine?

The First Espresso

One day, when I finally mustered the courage to go to college but couldn’t bring myself to enter the building, I found myself craving that espresso. There was a café close to my college in Midtown Manhattan that I had heard good things about, so I decided to give it a try.

The espresso I ordered wasn’t what I expected. James Hoffman had promised a world of flavors, earthiness, aromas, and sweetness. But what I tasted was bitter and very sour. When the barista asked if I liked it, I meekly said yes, not knowing any better.

Why You Should Care About Coffee

The Learning Curve

You might think my coffee adventure ended there, but it was just the beginning. I ended up getting an AeroPress, then a grinder, and suddenly the world of coffee opened up to me. Every street in Manhattan had a café where I could chat with baristas, ask about coffee, and get advice on the best brewing methods. It was like a new layer of the world had been revealed to me, and I felt refreshed, with something to look forward to every day.

What the Coffee Hobby Entails

Diving into the world of specialty coffee as a hobby involves more than just drinking a cup of coffee. It’s about exploring different brewing methods, from the simplicity of a French press to the precision of an espresso machine. It’s about understanding the origins of the beans, how they’re grown, and the subtle differences in flavor that terroir and processing methods can create. The hobby also involves connecting with a community of coffee enthusiasts who share tips, tricks, and experiences, making it a social activity as much as a personal one.

Finding Beauty in the Ordinary

Every morning, I would walk to a nearby coffee place in Brooklyn around 7:30 or 8:00 AM and get a cappuccino. The early hours meant I could talk to the barista while they set up for the day. It became a nice ritual—walking back to my flat, seeing the early morning traffic, and hurrying people. I’d sit in the park close to my house, holding my warm cup of coffee, and listen to the breeze flowing through the trees. These moments made my day better, not just because of the coffee but because of the beauty that surrounded it.

Conclusion: A Hobby That Enriches Life

In the last two years, I’ve invested time, effort, and money into this hobby. I’ve learned more about coffee than I ever thought possible and met people who share the same passion. Every morning, when I brew a new cup, I think about what that cup has to tell me. It’s a comforting ritual that brings me a sense of peace and presence.

You don’t have to take up coffee as a hobby—there might be something else that’s more enjoyable for you. But anything that makes the world around you more interesting is worth exploring. If you’re a regular coffee drinker and want to expand your world just a little bit, I highly recommend diving into the world of coffee. I’ve made friends, taught people how to make coffee, and helped them discover this world, and I would gladly do the same for you.

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