When traveling in Greece, I noticed that in cafe’s they would always bring you a glass of water when you order coffee. This is especially appropriate when the coffee is strong, as in my opinion it should be. The water is refreshing and cuts the impact of the coffee on your stomach, without cutting the flavor of the coffee. You can sip longer and leave without a headache, with a pleasant warmth rather than a jittery buzz. If I had a coffee shop, as I’ve sometimes thought of doing, I would serve coffee this way.
So if you have someone drop by and put a pot of coffee on, bring them a glass of cool (not iced) water, too. Don’t ask them, just bring it. You’ll refresh as well as warm them.
-Gina
I always drink water with coffee. Good point.
Mimi, you Greek!
Unknowingly, just I like both at the same time!
Of course, this also requires slowing down and enjoying your coffee, rather than consuming it as simply the means to a sugar/caffeine buzz. Another plus! Bladder limitations also make a “tall” preferable to a “venti” (am I the only one who’s regularly corrected for being so un-chic as to order a “small” coffee at Starbucks?).
At Starbucks you’re not allowed to be “small,” just tall.
I prefer diner coffee, as long as it’s not too wretched. This time a year I get a hankering for cinnamon coffee, of which Dunkin Donuts has a good cuppa. Then there is Trader Joe’s Winter Blend, peppercorns + cloves + cinnamon. It reminds me of the “spice coffee” from the Dune novels (but so far hasn’t caused me to see the future :>).