Anyone who really knows me knows I drink Diet Coke. Tons of it. I realize how bad it is, but I'm hopelessly addicted. I drink about 100 ounces a day and been doing it for 20 years. Disgusting, I know. So, to curb myself off it, I've started drinking coffee. Sadly, I have no idea how to order it at places like Starbucks. I never knew they sell about 10000 different types, and 99% aren't even coffee. Right now I'm ordering Mocha and Latte's at 7-11, McDonalds, and it's been hit or miss. I hate the taste of coffee, so I'm limited in what I'll like, but the caramel mocha's taste great, but I end up in the bathroom for a long time afterwards (TMI, I know) so I have to time it right when I drink them so I'm not having an emergency at work. LOL Any suggestions? What do you all like?
Excellent question, John. My usual: Venti Iced Coffee, Whole Milk, 1 Splenda After 2 PM: Venti Iced Decaf Americano, Whole Milk, 1 Splenda Sometimes I'll switch up the "usual" and do a non decaf Americano, but if you have tummy probs, I don't recommend Americanos. When I'm doing sugar fasts (M-F mornings), I make a (sometimes decaf) Espresso at home with unsalted butter and coconut oil in it - bulletproof style. Personally, I LOVE iced coffee, and I highly recommend it. The best thing you can do is get those syrups out of your coffee though. They're really not good for you. I worked myself down to 1 Splenda through time and discipline. Now I don't miss anything sweeter and I sometimes drink it black (or with Truvia, which I prefer for health reasons).
I've started drinking coffee over the last year too after never really liking it much before. I was at a cafe on campus and I noticed the coffee was much cheaper than the other energy drinks so I figured I'd try it out. I noticed a significantly different effect than standard energy drinks. Stuff like Monster or Red Bull would raise my heart rate and make me kinda anxious and twitchy. With coffee on the other hand, I actually feel a lot more focused. I frequently have a cup before studying now. As to how I drink it, I have issues with dairy, so I just drink it black with no sugar. I've grown to like the taste. I don't really know the subtle differences between different types of roasts and beans yet though.
I've never tasted a sip of coffee before in my life and don't plan on doing it at any time in the future.
I love coffee. I drink WAY too much especially when I am employed because I HATE mornings. I have been known to down 2 large Red Eyes and/or Black Eyes before 11am to keep me going and dealing with people's BS. Right now, I am unemployed but I am drinking McDonalds Coffee with half and half or Panera's Hazelnut blend. All brewed in my coffee pot. John, I am not sure of how much help I can be, because I love the actual taste of coffee. I used to drink it really strong and black. Lately, as I said, I have been gravitating back to other flavors due to having something different. The best I can suggest is Panera's Hazelnut Creme. I think it tastes better in the restaurant and it goes good with their bagels in the morning. As for Starbucks ... I only ever order one of three things: 1) Cafe Mocha 2) Mocha Cookie Crumble (seasonal) 3) Mocha Peppermint (Late Nov/December ... this stuff is crack). Now, I consider Starbucks a treat so I'd only spend about 100 bucks per year there. Its only when I want a special drink and I am not sure how much these beverages would be considered "coffee." Dunkin' Donuts has good Blueberry Coffee. The first time I tried it I was at a history conference in Phoenix, Arizona. I ended up drinking 46oz of it in like an hour. Uh, needless to say I was more wired than Nicholas Cage ... and it ended with a stomach ache. But it was so worth it. Dunkin' Donuts aren't everywhere though. They are always a fun place to visit if you are traveling. When I drove to Indiana, I was stopping there all the time. If you start liking the actual flavor of coffee you can go with my absolute favorite from Dunkin' Donuts Original Beans. You get those and grind them yourself. DONT get the pre-ground coffee, I swear its not the same. Some of the best coffee I have ever tasted, in my opinion. ... And yes, I am actually drinking the McDonalds Coffee as I write this post.
I never took up soda. I can count on two hands how many sodas I've had in my life (I'm 36). But my dad was on a two 2-Liter bottle (yes, that's 4 flippin' liters) a day habit of Diet Coke. I'm not sure replacing soda with coffee is the best idea. Coffee is very acidic and could cause a host of problems if you start drinking 5-6 large cups a day instead of Coke. If you are able to drink 1 or two and replace a couple liters of the Coke that way, that'd be fantastic. As far as coffee, I am a So Cal kid so I typically drink at Peets, but iirc you are in OK so no dice for you. Also, when ordering the "fancy" drinks, keep in mind that espresso can raise your cholesterol, so if you're one of those people who are on the fence of having to take medicine, I'd stick with plain black.
^^^ You're right. No Peets here, but I'm moving back to California soon. When I was there this summer I saw that Peets is the new go-to place. My sisters said it's Starbucks on steroids.
Vietnamese coffee every morning, brother! Ground french roast, Italian roast or espresso (something dark and smokey) goes in the silver strainer thingy. The white stuff is condensed milk. Add boiling water and the coffee drips out very slowly, making it very thick and very strong. Stir it up and drink it hot or pour over ice.....so fricking good and you only need 3-4oz of it.
Punk isn't helping me with new (old) contraptions. LOL 45 years old and I don't know how to order coffee. I'm a loser!
I'm gonna give it to you straight @John3:16 as a 40 year coffee drinker. No one starts out liking the taste of coffee. But, learn to drink it black, learn to grind and brew your own with a quality brewer, and never look back.
I can attest to this. It's sort of like beer. If all you've every guzzled down is Coors Light and you're handed Stone Ruination IPA, you'd think Satan himself opened his fly and took a flaming piss down your throat. But by drinking more and more beer and moving to new things, your acquire a taste for it to the point where its that Coors Light that tastes vile, and Satan's piss tastes like heaven.
It's not just on steroids. It tastes so much better. Yes, some of their coffees are strong as hell, but they are good. Very good. If you can get over the sometimes over-the-top hipster vibe that seems to ooze out of the walls, the coffee is awesome. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is also better than Starbucks, in my humble opinion. Not sure where you will be living in CA, but It's a Grind isn't bad either.
I'm in California house shopping. Went to SF yesterday and tried Peets. Gotta say, that was a great cup of joe. While tasty, I wasn't jittery and had no trouble sleeping at night (I drank it at about 4 pm).
This. Go to Orange County, find a chain store called Lee's Sandwiches, get a #5 sandwich and a coffee. Their coffee is incredible. It'd wake up Sleeping Beauty.
Lee's is almost all over the place now. Pasadena, the Valley (Balboa), and across other states as well. I used to go there all the time, but I do prefer the smaller mom and pop sandwich shops.
Food or coffee? If you tell my wife there's a stronger coffee joint than lee's she'll never go back to sleep.
