–not so-frequently asked coffee questions

An Exploration of Coffee’s Multifaceted Role in Life and Culture

What is coffee? I recently asked Erik, my counterpart on all things marketing and brand, and he said, "Coffee is a beverage that usually helps get my day started, but I drink it anytime. It's part of my routine, culture, and, some may say, my identity. It's a piece of home I can take or find everywhere and delicious.” Since we launched Monday Coffee, I never thought to ask myself what coffee was or how I would explain it to someone who had never heard of it.

Coffee is ingrained in our everyday lives; do you remember the first time you heard it or saw it on TV or at a restaurant? I don't; it's just always been there, much like water. However, when I was around ten, I noticed that my grandmother always got the Starbucks bottled Frappuccinos from Walgreens. I remember her Walgreens order as if it were yesterday: Vanilla Frappuccino, Newport 100s, and whatever snack I was craving.

By definition, coffee is a brewed beverage made from roasted coffee beans, the seeds found inside the berries of the Coffea plant. The journey from bean to cup is an intricate dance filled with art and science. The Coffea plants thrive in tropical regions worldwide, and the beans are often harvested by hand from coffee cherries. Once the seeds are extracted and dried, they’re ready for roasting. Roasting transforms the green coffee beans into the aromatic brown beans we recognize, and different roasting levels bring out various flavors, from light and fruity to dark and bold.

From there, it's in your hands if you're making it at home or the barista's hands if you're out and about. Over time I’ve come to understand how vast and how much information there is to know/consider about coffee. While it can’t all be covered in one sitting, I want you to consider a few things.

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The Grind

Grinding the beans is critical, and the coarseness varies to suit different brewing methods like espresso, French press, or pour-over. The brewing process combines precision and creativity, where time, temperature, and technique play vital roles. But coffee’s impact goes far beyond the cup. It has become a social connector and a symbol of culture and creativity. From bustling urban coffee shops to peaceful home kitchens, coffee fuels conversations and connections.

As much as I talk crap about trendy coffee houses, walking into a door and being hit by the aroma of freshly ground coffee will always lighten my mood—even if that comes at the price of a $5.50 oat milk cortado and a barista with a bad haircut. I’ve come to accept and understand the roles of coffee shops. They are cultural staples and were once places of protest as well.

The Experimentation

In the culinary world, coffee’s complex flavors make it a versatile ingredient, enhancing both sweet and savory dishes. And I’ve been highly impressed with the mixology/cocktail space. I appreciate the effort in innovation and moving beyond Bailey’s as a go-to for everything. The world of coffee has also embraced innovation, with new machines and gadgets continually enhancing the brewing experience. In short—coffee is a multifaceted experience. It’s a bridge between people, a spark for creativity, a simple pick-me-up, and a comfort for the soul. Whether you’re a pumpkin spice girlie or the die-hard cold brew drinker in the dead of winter, there’s always something to discover, taste, and enjoy.

While roasting today, my thoughts wandered to my own journey with coffee. Thinking about this newfound confidence in roasting is surreal, especially considering I had no interest or taste in coffee almost a decade ago. Never dreaming that I’d be running a coffee company and now roasting, I find a unique peace in this process. It’s a stillness that excites me, reminiscent of my time with ceramics and far from the anxiety I might have once felt.

Coffee farmers photogrpaher in Honduras–Summer’23