Travel by coffee
It’s a marvel the way the world enjoys coffee and plant-based beverages.
For me, much of my travels are marked by my coffee experiences in other lands.
I’ll never forget the extensive pour-over setup - like a chemistry lab - at a coffee bar along the river in Luang Prabang (Laos) that inspired my deeper appreciation for the brew method.
Or the fact that the airport in Inlay (Myanmar) sold locally farmed coffee beans (and no other products) right by the terminal gates, in case you wanted to stock up while boarding.
Coffee in Oaxaca often came de Olla style with cinnamon and a hint of piloncillo sweetness.
In Rome, it was a quick ash-dark espresso at the bar in under five minutes while visiting the ruins.
In France, coffee breaks were numerous throughout the day; the coffee itself wasn’t the highlight, it was moreso the ritual and counting how many sugar cubes everyone used.
As for Saigon, oh my goodness the bold robusta beans paired with sweetened condensed milk over ice - ca phe sua da - maybe one of the best things to taste in life. And in Hanoi, ca phe trung - robusta blended with egg yolk and sugar for another indulgence. It was also in Vietnam where I learned to up my iced coffee game with coffee ice cubes.
In Bogota, no matter where I stopped it was just smoothly richly roasted and so so good.
In La Fortuna (Costa Rica), it was enjoyed in sweet company, with the organic turmeric farmers nearby and sleepy sloths above. Near the Arenal volcano, there was a coffee farm tour that went in depth about the washing and drying to create green beans (for roasting).
And in Bali, there was the farm that explained the cultivation process for kopi luwak - civet (mongoose-like creature) poop coffee.
There was the instant coffee on top of the volcano at sunrise in Bali.
And the oatmilk-only coffee closet in Shanghai.
These are just a few of the top-of-mind memories, but there are so many more to savor.
The point is, regardless of how we humans like our coffee, or tea, the appreciation for the plant-based beverage is one of the many many things we share in common. Coffee can serve as a uniter and harmonizer, as well as an invitation to let go and enjoy - even for just a moment.
