Coffee 101: An Epiphany

Like many recent graduates, I am currently honing my skills in the retail industry. Whilst the situation that I have found myself in is undoubtedly a sad reflection on the current state of the economic climate, it is not something that I like to dwell upon; after all, some people enjoy working in retail. As for me, I simply treat it as a means to an end. Admittedly, after standing around on my feet for hours at a time, subject to the petty whims of over-zealous customers and occasionally being treated as a second-class citizen, that end seems very far away indeed. Nevertheless, it isn't all bad. For instance, I like to think that after spending the past four months in such close proximity to others, as the other so to speak, I've become something of an amateur psychologist. Either way, I always look forward to my break, at which point I reconnect with the society I've been spectating all morning by ordering a drink and blending in to the background of a busy cafe. The resulting coffee is invariably disappointing, more token gesture than poor imitation, but the desire for a warm drink has always outweighed the aversion to an insipid taste. Until today, that is, for what I received this afternoon was quite literally the worst cup of "coffee" I have ever had the misfortune of sipping. Although it would be fair to say that my tastes have become somewhat refined since taking up coffee as a hobby, I imagine even the most ardent fan of the cheap instant variety would be repulsed by the terribly burnt, acidic swill that I was served, which neither a will of iron nor a tongue of stone could shake. This regrettable experience has led me to reconsider my own journey towards an understanding of what makes a good cup of coffee; the results of which I feel compelled to record lest my faith in my favourite drink is ruined forever.