From peppermint mochas to shaken espressos and oatmilk lattes, my coffee order has evolved over the years. Throughout my childhood, I preferred vanilla bean frappuccinos and hot chocolates over coffee or tea. In most cases, I just ordered room temperature water. A lot of my early coffee-drinking experiences were quite disappointing. I used to say that coffee was too bitter and generally terrible. I disregarded the drink altogether until my friend gave me a big 40 ounce bottle of peppermint mocha cold brew as a Christmas gift during my junior year of high school. As a long-time fan of peppermint hot chocolate, I thought this was the perfect drink. It was so sweet that the cold brew flavor was more of a supplement to the intense mint and chocolate flavors. That first sip was the beginning of an experimental year, where I tried all kinds of syrups, flavors and milks in my coffee. 

I stuck to iced drinks until the temperature started to drop. When I was looking for a sweet treat, I ordered an espresso frappuccino with java chips. Channeling my inner barista skills, I combined chocolate almond milk and cold brew over ice at home to make mochas. I fell in love with hot coffee when seasonally themed drinks, such as chestnut praline and pumpkin spiced lattes, rolled out. I viewed coffee as an infrequent and fun treat. However, I recall a low point when I was very sleep deprived and I downed two shots of espresso one morning before school. Even now, espresso on its own is usually too strong for me. I need, at the very least, a splash of milk.

While I’m not lactose intolerant, I typically select plant-based milks. Growing up, my mom bought a mix of almond, soy and 2% milks. Almond has become my default milk choice, but I’ve ordered oat more recently because it is light and creamy. The only main exception is that I think whole milk creates a richer blend and consistency in frappuccinos. Despite my love for sugar, I am not drinking frappuccinos every single day. My regular coffee order is more simple. 

When I walk into a cafe, I’ll often order a vanilla oat milk latte. Most coffee shops have these ingredients, and I’ll have it hot or iced, depending on the day. I don’t think I have the most refined palette in terms of coffee and taste. It’s hard for me to find a coffee I don’t like, and I can’t tell the difference between types of roasts. I enjoy espresso-based beverages more than the standard drip coffee. Hot coffee tastes better than iced coffee because the ice can water-down the coffee flavor. I usually like to pair my drink with a blueberry muffin or a croissant. 

I started drinking coffee on a daily basis during my first year of college because it was accessible and convenient. Every meal swipe came with a coffee, tea or soda. I would pour a splash of soy milk and stir a packet of sugar into a paper to-go cup of coffee. During my study abroad in Italy, I would order a cappuccino served hot in between classes. I spent a summer working at a café, and one of my favorite parts of that job was learning how to use the espresso machine, steam the milk and prepare the lattes. I was grateful for the free coffees as well. 

There are many reasons to drink coffee: the taste, the caffeine and the experience. Now that I’ve figured out my preferred coffee to milk to sugar ratio, I’ve come to love and appreciate the taste. I’ve also discovered that I shouldn’t drink coffee in the afternoon because it negatively affects my sleep schedule but that doesn’t always stop me. Sometimes, it’s easier to take on a late night essay writing session or project with a coffee beside me. I enjoy the ritual of preparing my own in the morning and drinking it during my first class. I like how getting coffee can be a shared experience that can apply to various settings. I like meeting up with friends at coffee shops to study or just chat. My parents have always been avid coffee drinkers, so we enjoy grabbing coffee and breakfast before continuing with our day. It is comforting to walk around campus or the city with a warm drink in hand, especially during the winter months. 

Overall, I think coffee is a very versatile and accessible beverage. There are so many different ways to prepare it, and it’s easy to find a coffee shop down the street. It might have taken a few years for me to switch from a coffee hater to a coffee lover, but I am so happy that I did.