Coffee: The universal symbol for getting "up"
The early morning starting well before dawn, burning the midnight oil to get that project done, clocking into a double shift, or the slow, lethargic process of waking up on vacation.
Whatever "up" means to you personally, I am willing to bet that when it comes to getting there coffee has enough influence to be a consideration for making it easier to get there. Is it the smell? The taste? Caffeine? or even the process of making it? The "it" of coffee is hard to narrow down, but it, is definitely here to stay.
Personally, to me coffee has meant a lot to me symbolically on top of just being a simple drink. But that's just it, coffee itself (and I'm not talking about the concoctions that can be made from it at your local coffee shop) is a simple drink. It is hot water and beans. Now obviously it is a bit more refined than that in practice, but if you strip away the different processes and additions at the end of the day to make coffee all you need is two ingredients. Complexity raises quiet a bit once dairy or daily analogs enter the mix as the, coffee to cream ratio becomes important but even then, the drink is still only three ingredients. Three ingredients that have come to symbolize both energy and a break at the same time.
The symbolism of coffee hardly stops there though. In the cold coffee can be a beacon of warmth, a heater for you both inside and out. Coffee can be a common ground for two strangers to seek connection. Coffee can be a change to show off a refinement of the pallet to a level that I will never know. Inversely, coffee can show off a no nonsense attitude. It could also be a favor or an apology or a way to settle a score. No what what is trying to be expressed, there is probably room for coffee to be part of that expression.
To return from the slightly tangential train of thought that is how I think across the globe coffee is enjoyed as part of peoples get ready ritual. This love of coffee makes sense when consideration is taken for what exactly coffee provides. First and foremost coffee provides energy, acting almost the spark that lights the fire in us to get the day going. This alone provides enough value to be worth drinking it for most people. But, this is not the end of the value no way. Coffee also offers value socially, it creates a excuse for people to slow down and connect through a shared love of the warm drink and provides a simple topic for small talk to get a conversation brewing, "how do you like your coffee?". Not to leave indirect benefits out coffee leaves a distinct aroma in the air as almost a lure to the people nearby, calling out saying your almost here, come get yourself a cup. And last when bringing up the universal benefits from coffee we can not forget that it keeps you regular. Nothing says you are ready for the day like a morning BM.
All these benefits from so beans and water. Its no wonder why its loved across the globe. The atmosphere a coffee shop creates is almost that of the "angel" on one shoulder while the pub is the "devil" on the other. Not to say I have anything against going to a pub but the similar functions that cafes and pub provide lean into this analogy. Both provide a public space to hang out and serve drinks that drinks that make us more social. The contrast arises when we look into how the drinks make us social. Coffee provides caffeine which gives a boost of energy and promotes productivity. Beer and cocktails provide alcohol which provides a buzz and lowers inhibitions. Both have their place, when looking at the establishments that that serve the drinks it is undeniable how similar they are, much like the little angel and devil "on our shoulders".
Coffee goes by many names, cuppa, joe, bean juice, brew, java, etc. etc. but no matter where you are across the world coffee is always be a symbol for getting up. So when looking into the finer details of coffee and how it is served and appreciated it is good to remember that at the heart of all the complexity and minutia is a simple mix of two ingredients, hot water and beans, that ultimate goal is simply to get someone up.
