Coffee
Inspired by a friend’s courageous tale, I have stopped putting sugar or cream in my coffee. Now when I drink it, I feel like I can taste the differences between say Folger’s and Tully’s pre-ground coffees. I must have been drowning the coffee in sweeteners.
I have been enjoying Tully’s House Blend for a few weeks now. I understand it is “mainstream” coffee, so I may be losing some karma/cool points for admitting I like it, heh. However, now I understand why people are so picky about coffee; once you remove all of that “extra” stuff, they really can be unique.
Reminds me of that old Juan Valdez commercial where the guy gets coffee at a diner, tastes it, and adds a spoonful of sugar. Stirs, tastes, adds another. Stirs, tastes, picks up sugar jar and starts pouring and pouring.
I add cream when the coffee is burnt, usually. And i always add sugar to my coffee, but almost never to my espresso.
So, about espresso… everyone is always talking about how it shouldn’t be bitter, but I have never had a shot that wasn’t. Are we talking different things when we say bitter or am I just getting bum coffee?
I’m not sure; I’ve never tried espresso straight. The drinks I usually get are lattes, or the occasional mocha, which have enough flavoring ingredients to drown out any bitterness (I expect?) I used to consider black coffee bitter, but I think I’ve manipulated my taste buds, through exposure, such that it no longer tastes bitter.
Oh to be a judge at the championship. :)