Coffee at The Office
How a warm drink managed to bring us together
Joe. Java. Kawa. Café. Arabica. Robusta. Brazil. Colombia. Ethiopia. Fika. These are all words we associate with coffee. The second most popular drink in the world and the brew that makes it go round. But can it also mean more than that? Could it ever become a bridge between people?
As a self-proclaimed foodie, I have to admit that most of my favorite memories have something to do with coffee and food. Growing up, my mom used to call our kitchen “the office.” Why? you may ask. The answer is not so simple, so instead, I will give you a bit of background.
Picture my mom: a little yet fierce Hispanic woman; a force of nature that is sharper than a razor, and kind to no end. A “coffee enthusiast” (read: slightly addicted. Yes, it runs in the family), sociable, and always trying to feed you no matter how many times you tell her that you aren’t hungry. Her coffee mug? Always filled to the brim.
Our office was an open plan kitchen with a small round table to the side. The humming of the overworked coffee maker in the background, and the smell of whatever happened to be cooking at the time filling the air. My mom and her coffee mug would always greet you with a smile, and as usual, she would ask if you were hungry or if you would much rather have some coffee. It…
