I am not a coffee snob, honest.
I spent a good part of one of the legs of our vacation trying to convince my better half of this fact. He was not convinced while I continued to maintain that I am an addict not a snob. He told me I needed to try and convince others, so... what do you think?
Let's get down to brass tacks shall we...
I do not like the taste of coffee... addict or snob?
I never have liked the taste of coffee and don't think I ever will. It has always smelled delicious to me, but the taste is something I have never actually "enjoyed." Even flavored coffees, which smell even yummier, the taste simply masks the inevitable bitterness that is coffee that I don't like. So when I drink coffee it is not for taste... addict or snob?
For me, feeding my addiction is more important than what I feed it with. It does not matter to me where the coffee came from, cheap or expensive, caff or decaff, dark, cream, black, sugar, flavored, or whatever, I will happily drink any coffee served me... addict or snob?
There is one place that we have been served by far, the world's worst coffee, which was basically water not coffee, and someone I know won't drink their coffee, while I still do without problems... addict or snob?
I don't always drink coffee with cream. Sometimes I will get a nasty cup of gas station coffee and drink it black or a really expensive cup and drink it filled with cream. It simply depends on my mood that day, how I want my addiction to comfort me, etc, etc, etc... addict or snob?
Finally, look at the facts... I own a $5 coffee maker and I only buy cheap coffee beans or what's on sale and I honestly don't know how to make a good pot of coffee and I "wing it" every time... addict or snob?
HOWEVER...
I am a total espresso snob.
I will call any bean junk that makes a cruddy espresso because seriously, if you are going to drink/make espresso, it helps to be a snob.
I can say that because I honestly used to not be a snob in this area. With our old espresso maker, I would use whatever and not care. With our new one I have used whatever and then, we found an amazing source for fresh roasted beans that create delicious espressos and I have been ruined for all other beans, nothing compares.
Mike, owner of Capanna Coffee Company, roasts amazing beans and after using those in our wonderful Gaggia Espresso Machine (that the Cramer Dev employees got us for a gift, so nice!), I am a firm believer on the value of a good roast and good grind in order to get perfect crema. I am a total espresso snob.
It is not that I won't use other beans now and then when in a pinch but unlike bad coffees, I will care and can totally tell the difference. I will still drink it (thanks to my addiction) but will really be grossed out the whole time. Bad coffee I will drink and still not care... addict or snob?
Am I a coffee snob? There is 1 vote for yes and 1 vote for no. Every vote counts and no offense taken!
Honest.
Update: Josh will be writing up a side on this debate. Unfortunately for me, he makes some good points, :)!
Oh Dana, wow! At first I thought "Oh, she's a snob", but then the fact that you will drink gas station coffee black, and nice yummy coffee filled with creamer... you've got it bad girlfriend. You, are in fact, an addict. I will say that I am completely confused that you don't "enjoy" the taste of coffee but continue to drink it. I love me some coffee, both smell and taste (when it is good coffee, as I am a snob). However, along with the fifty thousand other things that Julia hates for me to have, coffee has fallen into that category. Shame. But I am reaching the point that I am about to make her deal with beans, coffee and beer, just so I can start having some of it again.
Oh, I hope Julia can deal with those 3 things too! I was thinking some more, and I would say I enjoy the act of drinking coffee because otherwise, why would I drink it, though I still do not like the taste, so would make sense? But then, would that lead more toward being a snob then? Hmmmm...
You mean, you weren't acting when you said you wanted a cup of my Folgers 1/2 Caff?! That makes me feel so much better to know that it is only espresso that you are picky about... b/c I doubt I will ever get the chance to serve that to you. I really felt bad that day that that is all we had on hand for you guys... especially after a night of sleeping at the office! So, you have my vote for no. ;)
No, you are not a coffee snob hearing your side of the story. Yes, I would say you are an addict! I don't know if I can say that I have even tried the stuff in 20+ years. There are those dragging days though that I am tempted to give in to being a caffiene user but have resisted the urge to jump in with both feet! I was given some Shaklee tea and I do admit to "using" it a few times in the past year. I can't say that I enjoyed the taste or the drinking experience but I was energized from the Energizing tea and that was the point. Enjoy a cup of joe for me!
I would tend to lean more towards addict, although when it comes to espresso you are snob all the way. And I mean that as the highest compliment- you certainly will not hear me complaining about your espresso snobbery :) Thanks for the Capanna mention by the way! I drink coffee most days of the week- always from capanna and always black, and I would have to say I probably am more a snob because I definitely can tell the difference between different countries. However, I'm definitely not addicted to caffeine because if I miss a day I feel exactly the same (except I maybe use the bathroom less). In fact, mike and I both find that coffee puts us to sleep more than energizes us. I wonder if we've built some sort of super immunity! :)
Wendy - You need never feel bad about coffee and me. I completely loved drinking your coffee! Amy - Very true, I was totally thinking I should have Josh write up his side of the story, I am definitely a one sided spin zone, :)! Alicia M - That is amazing to be able to tell different countries! I think that plus your no-effect-caffeine withdrawal are definitely two of your (many) super powers!
I was skeptical of your side of the story, until I got further down and read the espresso bit. So I'll vote for: coffee addict, espresso snob (as you admit) I also love the smell of coffee, but can't stand the taste. I've tried everything - even mixing hot chocolate mix in with the coffee, but I still couldn't take it. I, however, have not managed to drink it on a regular basis like you. Maybe that will come someday with kids and sleep deprivation... I think Josh's perspective would be interesting. I wonder if any voted would change after that??
Update: Josh will be writing up a side on this debate. Unfortunately for me, he makes some good points, :)!