Saturday January 26th, 2008
When I was in college, I worked as a barista before I knew what that was. On weekends, summers and during the holidays, I worked at a coffee bar in our local mall before Southern Californians had even heard of Starbucks. Only the most elitist of coffee drinkers knew what a machiato was, the difference between a latte and a cappuccino and what a long espresso was. Starbucks, and like businesses, would soon invade our county, but at that point, The Coffee Trader was my home.
People still pronounced ESPRESSO with an X (EXPRESSO), and the public, at least around here, were beginning to ride the wave that would be the coffee craze; we were on the cusp of a revolution and we were unaware.
I opened the Coffee Trader early in the mornings for the mall workers and I had my regulars: the woman who would always order the flavored coffee and would get angry if HER donut had already been purchased and consumed by someone else; the three men who owned? managed? worked at? the luggage store who didn’t speak very good English and would order 3 short espressos. They’d gulp them in a single throw-back and leave their money on the counter. And of course, was the couple who would refuse to order a “cappuccino”, but would ask for a “Cappy” instead. Hmm.
I’ve never been a huge coffee drinker. But this was also before many of us had heard of Splenda, or there was such a thing as a Soy Latte. I became accustomed to drinking 16 ounce mochas that I would create (sometimes iced in the summer) and would sip on it all afternoon. We had only low-fat or full-fat milk, no blender and no way to heat anything in a microwave. This was also before wireless Internet access was available or needed or expected (Compuserve, anyone?). I guess we were crippled, but we didn’t know it and no one else was the wiser either.
So this morning, as I opened a new bag of coffee here at my house, and the sharp scent of the beans hit my nose, I was immediately taken back. It isn’t the smell of the actual coffee brewing I mean, but the distinct beautiful smell of the beans.
It was a good and easy time in my life: the espresso dust collecting in the crevices of my shoes and in my hair; pilfering handfuls of chocolate covered espresso beans in the evenings; knowing everyone in the mall (and you know what I mean if you’ve ever worked in the mall), the wholesome scent of the steamed milk and enduring the occasional burn on my hands. I would soon graduate from college, I would get married and Starbucks would soon take over.
I still don’t LOVE Starbucks. Starbucks’ coffee tastes burnt to me (so if I am there, I usually order an espresso drink to avoid the old-taste of the brewed coffee). I just now realized that I prefer Peets or Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf because in atmosphere, at least, they are very much like the Coffee Trader. And there is the smell of the beans. The coffee bean smell that I grew to love will always remind me of this time: mornings in the mall, the sun coming through the skylights; the pound, pound, pound of emptying the espresso filter, and perfecting the foam on a cappuccino.
Coffee beans is one of my favorite smells.
I, too, am not a HUGE fan of Starbucks becuase I like to support the smaller mom & pop places in town (who, I think, have better coffee anyway). I had a friend once who was a true coffee snob and mentioned she “knew” that SB burned their coffee beans for some reason I can’t now remember.
Love your blog.
It’s an idea I had for a tv advert; the couple/family/whoever group round the coffee bag to get there noseful as it’s opened and some sort of slogan about how good it smells. Its what we do in our house anyway!! Starbuck is OK, Costa’s is better, don’t know if you hve that in orange county though
Ahhh…I love your posts, Sarah! You have a way with words that creates such great imagery/emotion/inspiration,reflection, etc.
I just brewed our morning pot of coffee, and I too, always stop to inhale the scent of the beans before adding them to the coffee maker. Loved your vacation post too, it’s so fun to have that to look forward to!
xo
I am not a coffee drinker and my siblings wonder how I made it through college and into our family without acquiring a taste for it! I LOVE the smell of coffee brewing. It definitely awakens the senses.
Although my blog name may speak to the contrary, I do enjoy going to the local coffee shop around my work called Jack’s; very good coffee, relaxed atomsphere, nice people, and great service. I still go to Starbucks, but my heart does not beat solely for Starbucks
I remember when you worked there–what a flashback!! I have become quite the coffee drinker in the last 6 months, must be because I am getting significantly less sleep lately. Nautical Bean has the best coffee in SLO. Yum!
i remember that smell…coming to visit you at the coffee bean…to hang out with you at work…with Debbie (was that her name???) The chick on dad’s staff…what a blast from the past.
loves,
char
That’s it Sarah, I’m boycotting your Blog—-you’re anti Starbucks!
Jennifer, I am so not ANTI-STARBUCKS! Its just that I like other places better =).
Great post! Can I use part of your article on my site with a linkback to you? Thanks
thanks for that