For the first twenty-odd years of my caffeinated existence, I drank only instant coffee. Always with milk. And ALWAYS with sugar.
Coffee outside the house usually meant a trip to the local South Indian/Udupi joint. There, the options were simple: Instant Coffee (usually Nescafe) or Filter Coffee. I’d pick Nescafe nine times out of ten. Filter Coffee was reserved for moments of reckless adventure.
So imagine my culture shock the first time I tried ordering coffee at an airport. It felt like a lifelong vegetarian being asked to choose between a wide lineup of Mughlai-style chicken delicacies and an authentic sushi spread.
Believe it or not, here's how it went down (possibly exaggerated for your reading pleasure):
Me, squinting at the menu board, mumbling: "Latte? Espresso? Match...chee..aah..”
The barista, a young man barely out of school (or so it seemed), turned sharply to stop me before I could complete my blasphemous utterance: “Mah-key-aah-toe, Sir.”
I panicked, “I just want a cup of coffee.”
The barista could barely register a smile, “Of course Sir...what type?”
“Hot?”
“We've got latte, cappuccino, espresso...”
“Do you have...instant?”
The barista froze, one hand over his heart, as if I'd touched his coffee beans inappropriately, “We don’t serve instant coffee, Sir.”
The woman behind me leaned in and barked, “Just get a latte and move on!"
I felt a wave of perspiration avalanche down my forehead, "Just give me something that'll wake me up in a couple of sips."
The barista sighed, “Thank you Sir. One Espresso coming right up.”
I paid the lad, found a seat, and took a sip.
And at once I felt my soul grappling with my body to be let back in.
And from that day on, I've only been having instant coffee.
This piece has been written as a part of the Blogchatter Blog Hop. The word prompt for this week (September 30 - October 6) is the word "Coffee".
Turns out October 1 was celebrated as International Coffee Day, so here's me raising a virtual Cuppa right back at you!
That was hilarious and relatable. Once I ordered Espresso just out of curiosity and had a similar experience. Instant coffee is the best 😆
ReplyDeleteInstant coffee IS REALLY the best! :D
Deleteha ha great story. I don't blame you So many choices and yes Expresso is too strong for me too I always order Capuchino My favourite
ReplyDeleteWhat's your favourite thing about Cappuccino? I hear it's Espresso hiding under a thick frothy cloud of milk :D
Deletehaha nah
DeleteYour story poem is utterly delightful!!! I did not become a coffee drinker until my 30s [now 84] ... and I am a bit of a snob about it. Grind my own beans, nothing but the best, fresh, etc.
ReplyDelete"moments of reckless adventure" made me laugh out loud! Thank you.
Yes, my Sisters granted approval before publishing.
I love coffee with sugar :) All types will do!
ReplyDeleteYour coffee-ordering experience reminded me of actress Sridevi's character in a similar situation in 'English Vinglish' Hindi movie.
Oh, truly delightful. There was a time when coffee was just coffee, humanity has a way of complicating things, don't we *grin* must say, cappuccino is my choice
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for dropping by my blog and for your comments.
ReplyDeleteI can fully relate to your experience at the airport, because it was no difference for me. The first time, I just couldn't understand what they served in the name of coffee!
(My latest post: Seasons in my life)