For as long as I can remember, all of my mornings have begun in the exact same manner: with a cup of coffee. I blame – no, praise – my grandfather for my habit. He’s the one who got me hooked. Medium Roast, milk, and sugary goodness. Some might raise their eyebrows at this, and I can hear the mommy bloggers all “tsk tsk”-ing in unison. But, really, who could blame him? Drinking coffee is a social experience, after all. It’s just not as fun to do alone.
The jury is still out on whether or not coffee is good for you. It feels like every day, there’s yet another study with a different response. We’re accosted with headlines like, “Hooray! Coffee drinkers rejoice!” or “Bad News for Coffee Drinkers.” However, we live in a world where there are almost two sides to the story on every object’s nutritional value. I swear, there’s some scientist right now trying to prove that kale is bad for you. Just you wait.
At some point, we have to put the research aside and make our own decisions. I decided long ago that coffee and I will never part ways, no matter what. Coffee = bae. Coffee is my soul mate. Coffee is the Jack to my Rose, and I’ll never let go.
I know I’m not alone, and here’s why:
1. People love to Instagram the hell out of their coffee.
Coffee is undeniably one of the most beloved beverages to have ever existed, and it’s just so pretty. It is one of the most Instagrammed items, hashtagged over 29 million times. Does anything look better in the Aden filter than latte foam in the shape of a heart? Nope. It’s not only the main event in our photos, but it’s a must-have accessory. Taking a picture of your shoes? Gotta have that coffee cup nearby too.
2. Coffee makes everyone feel profound.
I don’t care how illogical this seems, when I’m drinking a cup of coffee, my work immediately gets better. Or, perhaps more accurately, I’m able to work more clearly and freely. Once I take my first sip, the fog quickly disappears, my fingers fly across the keyboard, and suddenly I’m being productive. It’s a win/win.
3. It’s the perfect time-filler for people who are habitually early.
You know who you are – you’re worried that there will be traffic, so you leave your house with plenty of time to spare. Of course, there’s no traffic, no train or accident blocking your path, and you’re left with an awkward thirty minutes until your meeting/date/appointment. What do you do? Duh. Go to Starbucks and order a latte
4. When you don’t want the night to end, coffee is there to help you out.
If you’re on a dinner date that’s going well, chances are you don’t want to leave right after you’ve finished your meals. There’s a weird limbo that exists right after leaving a restaurant on a first or second date, and you probably don’t want to deal with that just yet. So instead, you suggest coffee. This way, you can continue the conversation for just a little longer. It’s a solid strategy, and if your date is a coffee-lover, he or she will most likely be game. Even better, they share your passion and love of the liquid gold.
5. Coffee can be nostalgic.
For all the (lonely) Starbucks lovers out there, you know that there are certain flavors associated with certain times of the year. Pumpkin spice lattes taste like autumn, and peppermint mochas are the aroma of winter and Christmas. Our taste buds have a crazy way of hitting the rewind button for us, and everyone loves an excellent opportunity to reminisce, even unconsciously.
6. Two words: coffee break.
Coffee is literally an excuse to take a break from work. It’s an acceptable interruption, and perfect for those moments when you’re going absolutely crazy from staring at your computer screen. If you have a Keurig near your desk, chances are you take a lot of these throughout the day.
7. Coffee can facilitate romance.
Perhaps the ultimate reason to love coffee – it’s an opening line. Asking someone to grab a cup of coffee is the epitome of casual, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. One cup can turn into two or three; an afternoon can become an evening. Coffee can taste like a chance at something more significant. People can fall in love over coffee, which is precisely why it will forever exist as an icon of possibility.