Coffee is rapidly becoming one of those things (like church luncheons!) that has the ability to bring people together. Just as chocolate is said to aid in healing broken hearts, coffee is central to healing and feeding relationships. If you know a friend who has been down lately, or are having a casual business meeting, or maybe even a first date… what’s the answer?  “Do you want to meet me for coffee?”  (Unless you’re from England… then the answer is “Let me put the kettle on.”)  Even if you don’t drink coffee, there’s something about that phrase that lightens the heart. A way to come together over a common thing, and pour out your stories, troubles, and joys into this drink, while a sympathetic ear listens. 

Myself, I really only started drinking coffee for the experience. Meeting good friends in a warm cafe, wrapping your hands around the mug, nursing your drink… savoring every hot sip. Enjoying the art-work or the hand-written chalkboards of each particular coffee house. At first I was resigned to the easy-to-drink beverages… my first ‘favorite’ was the Caramel Macchiato. It was sweet, it had the whip cream, you could hardly taste the coffee… it was wonderful! Unfortunately, that’s what many people think coffee is all about.

Then I was introduced to coffee in one of its purest forms. Dark Espresso beans, from a good quality roaster (and I am definitely not talking about Starbucks!), brewed in a Italian espresso machine, a bit of hot water added Americano style – and bottoms up! And that was that. No turning back.

Of course, I do still marvel over the sweet creaminess that is a well-made latte, (unblemished by sugar, syrups, or non-fat milk!) that can transport you to your favorite happy-place, whether it be your armchair with a good book, a park bench on a spring afternoon, or a fireplace during a snowstorm. Or the sweet marriage of an Americano and a warm, dense muffin. The mocha – smooth chocolate balanced by bitter-sweet espresso, topped with cool, luxurious whip cream. And lets not forget all of the above, On the Rocks, during the Dog Days of Summer.

Who among us is able to turn away from the beautiful aroma? Somehow a cross between chocolate and a mid-summer campfire – it is certainly alluring to all… even the tea drinkers! If you have purchased a bag of coffee, you may have noticed the “freshness valve”. A little hole in the bag that allows air to flow out, keeping the beans fresh. One of my favorite things to do upon receiving a fresh bag of coffee is to hold the bag really close to my face and squeeze – the air comes shooting out, full of the beautiful scent! I swear I could use a bag of coffee as a pillow. I have often thought about using the beans as air fresheners. If only!

I could go on and on like this, but really, just come by Meso Coffee House and see what all the fuss is about. I make a life-changing latte, if I say so myself!