I have never been a coffee drinker.  Never.  Not even in college. Didn't like the bitterness it had.  I've always loved the way it smelled, though.  I often wished coffee tasted as good as it smelled, but for me it didn't.

So, I was quite happy with my tea each morning, and being the outcast whenever we’d meet people at a coffee shop for a chat.

“Nope, nothing for me, thank you.” I’d always say.
And then it happened.
It began all so innocently… a trip to Oregon (coffee drinking capital of the world, I think) with my mom.  My sister-in-law introduces Mom to a Starbucks Hazelnut Latte.  No, thank you, I said. I don't drink coffee.
Mom insisted I take a sip. I said no. She offered again.  Finally, I succumbed.  And it was ok.  Not bitter, not scalding hot, but not something I really cared to taste again.

But something must’ve happened on that trip.  Maybe it was the passive exposure to all the coffee everyone else consumed.  Maybe that one little sip awakened tastebuds in my mouth that I never used before.  I don’t know.
What I do know is this.  I have become a coffee addict.  Slowly, surely, and in a good part thanks to Starbucks.
First it was the Hazelnut Lattes.  Now, I’ve branched out – Mocha something-or-others… and some awesome concoction the barista at the Macon Starbucks made for me.  It’s got toffee nut syrup, mocha syrup, espresso, and I don’t know what else. It’s probably eight million calories, so I only indulge in one occasionally, but it is good.  Kind of like drinking a turtle candy in your coffee. Yummy.
I have been rationing myself, due to the exhorbitant prices for my favorite Starbucks drinks.  Hard to justify $4 for a coffee drink when I supposedly don’t like coffee.

And then I found Joffrey’s Coffee.  Oh. My. Goodness.
They have a flavor called “Sinful Delight.”  It’s description on the bag reads thusly: “Chocolate Butterscotch with Nut Overtones.”  I saw that in the Publix and thought, “Ok, that sounds really good.”  I bought it, thinking if I didn’t like it I would give it my mom.
Sorry, Mom, you’re not going to get this bag.  It is soooo good!

Now, I'm dreaming about coffee.  Sitting at my desk thinking about coffee. When the cravings come I can taste it before I even have a sip.  Mind you, I'm not into all that plain coffee junk.  Give me the good stuff.  The sweet, flavored coffees that I can doctor up with some half and half and pretend like I've got a high-dollar latte from 'bucks.

And I have invested in a coffee press.  I was told I'd get better flavor from the beans that way. (Am I becoming a coffee snob?) I don't know if that is true (the flavor part, and the snob part) but I do know I like the fact that I can brew only one or two cups in my cute little press.  And, no hulking coffee maker taking up space on my counter.

I never, ever, in a million years thought I would like coffee.  Who knew? I guess I like coffee after all!