My caffe latte addiction...how it all begun

I must admit, I was a big cappuccino drinker many years ago but suddenly my taste buds has changed. It's almost ten years since I started drinking latte. I like the espresso flavor with both generous amount of steam milk and foam. Yummy.

As a child growing up in the Philippines, we were not allowed to drink coffee. I remember my granny would say, "coffee is for the adults and hot chocolate is for the kids". My grandfather had three cacao trees in his backyard. I used to adore the fruit pods, how they turned from green to yellow and dark orange/red color, which signified that the fruits were ready for harvesting. My grandpa would then dry-roast then grind the seeds, and voila, an organic chocolate powder.

Moving to the big city as a boy, drinking coffee didn't give me the edge even most of my relatives from abroad would sent or presented us big jars of "Taster Choice" or "Nescafe instant coffee" and matching creamer as gifts. For me, they looked better in our display cabinet rather than being consumed. I liked the labels and design of the jars, and of course, they were made in the USA.

Coffee drinking wasn't the general trend when I left the Philippines some 20 years ago, albeit coffee was regularly consumed during certain events, like "lamay" - wake. Jeepney and taxi drivers could get themselves a quick and cheap coffee while waiting for passengers during the night, from the many street vendors in and around the city. The elite, however, would drink their coffee from the best English fine bone china at five star hotels, which often had specialist coffee shops.

Moving to Australia opened my eyes on how differently coffee was consumed. Although I didn't jump straight away into the many, then, milk bars and corner shops for a coffee. My experiences were rather a step by step approach, the weather had a major part to do with it, as some days just felt like "Coffee Days".

One of my very few, early possessions was a coffee maker. I poured the boiling water on to the filtered coffee granules and I watched the coffee slowly, and aromatically, drip in to the jug. The aroma of the freshly brewed coffee was sensual as well as sensational, and I could squeezed three cups out of it!

Having associated myself with Aussie flatmates, who were into Food and Wine, my knowledge and appreciation began. Although I kept my coffee maker, my flatmates introduced me to the real coffee drinking habits. We served coffee after dinner parties. We were Sunday regulars at the Colousci Bar along Darlinghurst road in Kings Cross. If we went for a dinner in a restaurant, our dessert comes with or the coffee will follow shortly. I also remember, we used to drink one shot of short black before heading for a big night out - to keep us awake. Oh insane!

My flatmates were big flat white drinkers and for me I enjoyed my cappuccino. It reminds me of my childhood days, the chocolate powder that's been sprinkled onto the froth was for me to look forward liking it first just like when I was a kid.

Now a days, trends and mores has changed our life the way we drink coffee. In my previous travels alone, I haven't been to any country wherein I am not confronted by Starbucks, Gloria Jeans, Coffee Beans to name a few. With the introduction of these chains of coffee shops, I wonder if Japan's Ginza district famous $30 coffee still exist.

Drinking coffee(latte) is now a part of my daily routine. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. I read a lot of scientific reports on the benefits of drinking coffee. My regular coffee shop offers a good deal too, six coffee then get the seventh free. Now that's generous.

Well, now it's your turn. What's your favorite coffee and why? Do you know the different types of coffees? Do you get a good deal from your coffee shop?