A fresh latte from Cuppies and Joe in Oklahoma City — on our mini-road trip adventure of 2012
Monday morning just doesn’t seem possible to me without a good cup of coffee. And by “good” I mean the beans I’ve ground myself, brewed in my favorite machine with some skim milk and a hint of sweetener.
That’s my ritual every morning — and trust me — if I don’t get it right, it’s a bumpy day.
Image via WeHeartIt
That means I MUST savor a cup at home before I leave for work, then I bring my coffee with me in a travel mug (no gross office sludge for me, thank you). Last week the unthinkable happened — I hand-washed my travel mug right before leaving. And since I was in a hurry, I didn’t rinse it out well. So as I’m driving, I take a huge swig — of soapy coffee. I nearly had a wreck!
That said, I’m sure all coffee freaks like myself have their own rituals. Tulsa is a great place for a coffee snob — we have so many wonderful coffee shops (several that roast their own beans right in the store), that it’s easy to hit your favorite spot for a cup on the way to work.
There really is nothing like an espresso or latte made fresh from a local coffee house. It’s a real treat!
Image of DoubleShot Coffee Company in Tulsa, via Flickr
My coffee breakthrough moment came when I discovered the brilliance of the burr grinder about five years ago. What’s the difference? A steel grinder actually heats up the beans and changes their flavor in the process. A burr grinder keeps the flavor intact. You really can taste the difference!
Why am I getting so nerdy about coffee? Well, because frankly it’s what keeps me going in the mornings — especially on a blah winter Monday.
I’ve gathered some of my favorite accouterments for all you caffeine junkies out there.
What are your rituals or favorite local coffee shops?
1. Pantone Coffee Mug in Emerald, the official color of 2013 2. Burr Grinder, Target 3. Travel coffee and tea press, Amazon 4. Stainless steel milk frother, Sur La Table 5. Illy espresso beans, Williams-Sonoma
Kim A
Kim is a public relations pro by day, homebody by night. Kim worked as a newspaper features writer for more than a decade and she has written hundreds of stories on others' homes. But she is still discovering her own style. Kim and her husband are renovating their late-1950s home, making it their own. For Kim, staying home is a destination. She frequently entertains friends and family, so keeping it simple and comfortable is important (with the exception of her closets – her shopping and bargain-hunting habits take up some serious space). Kim’s perfect place is snuggled up in her PJs eating a homemade meal in front of the TV with her husband.
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