Believe it or not, the drama has already returned.
Starbucks didn’t put “Christmas” on their coffee cups.
Folks, I’m going to make this short and sweet (even though I like my coffee tall and black), I couldn’t care less what Starbucks does with their coffee cups.
There are a ton of other coffee shops (I went to 14 in Charleston, remember), and most of those had NOTHING on their cups. If anything, their cups were either ceramic or paper with their own logo on the side.
Heck, I’d rather go to McDonald’s for coffee! Their coffee is better than Starbucks’, and I can get 2 cups for the price of one! And McDonald’s cups keep coffee warmer longer, too.
Look, Starbucks is not a Christian company. It’s not even a Christian-friendly company. If anything, it’s blatantly liberal and apologetically so. Why would anyone expect them to promote Christmas?
This is one hill I don’t want to die on.
For that matter, you can have that hill; I’m going to the double arches.
It doesn’t matter where in the world you go, food is a universal need, even here in the middle of Georgia. However, what people eat and drink when they are hungry can vary greatly between location and culture, and Georgia is no exception.
Consider the following observations…
In Romania:
When I was in Romania, I found out that ground pork wrapped in cabbage leaves (sarmale) was the national dish, and I enjoyed it. As a matter of fact, I can’t remember any food in Romania that I didn’t like.
…except that soup.
Once, when staying in an apartment, the host family made fish soup. When I looked into the bowl, several little fish glared back at me with glassy, broth-covered eyes. Considering that the fish had to have come from water that was heavily contaminated by industrial waste, I had to refuse it. Before I did, just to be sure I was doing the right thing in offending my hosts, I dipped a spoon into the broth and tasted it…I had a metallic taste in my mouth for a week after that.
At least there was coffee.
In Zimbabwe:
As opposed to Europe, food choices in Africa can be a little more adventurous, especially for an American. However, for the most part, the food I ate in Zimbabwe was pretty much the same as in the States. The only thing I was told NOT to eat was anything from the bush (i.e., monkey).
The reason for the similarity is that Zimbabwe’s food had a history of English influence, so finding familiar food was not a problem, just as long as you knew what to ask for. Don’t eat their “biscuits” with gravy, if you know what I mean.
The only thing I couldn’t stomach in Zimbabwe was a desert made of bananas, pinto beans, green onion, yogurt, and Thousand Island salad dressing. After one spoonful I was done. My American palate had met its match.
But, at least, there was coffee!
In Georgia:
Look, believe me, the food down here is great, and other than when they spring something new on me, like pineapple sandwiches, it’s pretty much like anywhere else in the South. However, I’ve come to learn that we have a completely different understanding of one key food group: Barbecue.
The best I can tell, once you’re exposed to raw kaolin (the clay mined from the ground), pine trees, and higher-than-average heat, what the rest of the South does with pork doesn’t matter. Somewhere in their rich, rich history, these folk evidently developed a subconscious hatred for the pig. They like to eat it, but first they must pulverize it then torture it with a light bath of BBQ-flavored vinegar.
But at least there’s coffee, right? Uh, well, sorta.
Beverages
Like with food, it doesn’t matter where you go – people have to drink. Of course, what they drink depends upon the quality of the water and whether or not the locals have an excess of potatoes.
But, regardless, everywhere I’ve been in the world, from North America to Europe to Africa, one drink has been there for me, waiting around every corner, offered at every function, even boiled in pots over an open fire …coffee.
That is, except in middle Georgia!
Seriously, in Romania I woke up to a big, cast-iron pot full of dark, fragrant, exceedingly rich coffee over an open fire. Yes, there was electricity where we were staying, but because there were more than a few of us, and since coffee was a must for breakfast, they broke out the pot, lit a fire, and poured in the grounds.
In Zimbabwe, coffee was offered everywhere I went, including homes that prepared their meals in a mud hut! Even in an Ethiopian airport, where few things were recognizable to a Westerner, there was a coffee shop serving that familiar, satisfying, nerve-calming, caffeinated friend.
But here? Coffee? What coffee?
No joke, I’ve been to multiple fellowships, dinners, meetings, you name it, and I can’t tell you one time – not once – where there was any coffee offered with the desserts! Where else, except maybe the Sahara, do you go to an important meeting and find only water and iced tea, but NO coffee?
I don’t understand it.
All I can figure is that the folk down here are so laid back, so calm, so chill, so full of the “peace of that passes all understanding,” that coffee isn’t needed. Sweet tea is the cure-all for everything.
Or, it could be that they learned other ways to cope with stress way back when Union blockades stopped the shipment of coffee to Confederate troops. I don’t know.
Either way, I’ll survive. I’m tough. I’ll even grow to enjoy the way they do their BBQ.
It’s not like I have to have coffee with every meal and meeting, right? It’s not like God commanded locally-grown Georgia pecan pie be accompanied by a cup of dark roast, right?
When I first traveled down to this part of Georgia, having no knowledge of what was around, I used a common term to describe the area. I told others it was “in the middle of nowhere.”
Since then, I have felt bad about saying that. First, unless Warthen was in the middle of nowhere – like some outpost in the middle of Antarctica – the term could be considered derogatory. Coming across as bigoted isn’t helpful.
Secondly, nowhere is actually nowhere; everywhere is somewhere because God is there. In reality, I’m right in the middle of where I’m supposed to be.
So, there’s that.
Listen to the Locals
But when it comes to getting around and finding what you need, the somewhere might not be “nowhere,” but finding anywhere when you’re there can prove difficult, if not leave you stranded with an empty gas tank and no filling station for miles. That is why before you start exploring, listen to the locals!
One of the first things that bothered me (and, I know, this is more of a first-world problem) was that there seemed to be no restaurants. My wife and I had pretty much resigned ourselves to the fact that there would be no nice place to go on a date. But what we came to find out was that if we were only willing to drive a few minutes, and if we were willing to trust our local guides, we would find exactly what we were looking for.
For example, last week a couple from our church invited us to join them for a movie and dinner. After the movie, they took us to a steak house. But if we had not trusted the suggestion of our new friends, we wouldn’t have even given the place a chance. I mean this place was the quintessential example of “hole in the wall.” It was literally a steak house.
In front of Tumpies, the “Best little steakhouse this side of Texas.” It’s not too far away in Dublin, GA. It was a house built in the 1880s, but now a great place to eat!
But the food was some of the best I have ever had – ever. It will be a destination when we host friends from out of town.
Another thing that bothered me was that I didn’t think there were any coffee shops around. Again, when I listened to the locals I found out about a great coffee place not far away from where I will be meeting a new preacher friend every week to talk shop.
So, no, my place in the middle of Georgia might not be Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, or the like, but it has everything I thought I was going to miss and everything I need. I mean, come on, it’s got steak and coffee!
Been Where We’re Going
You know, the children of Israel, under the leadership of Joshua, were faced with a similar situation when they were about to cross over the Jordan River. In chapter 3, the Lord told Joshua to send the Levites and the Ark of the Covenant ahead of the people. The reason was pretty clear.
“But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between yourselves and the ark. Don’t go near it, so that you can see the way to go, for you haven’t traveled this way before.” – Joshua 3:4 (CSB)
If there is there anyone we should listen to, it’s the Lord. Do you realize there is not a place He has never walked? Do you know there is not a place, not a situation, not a wilderness, where He has not already worn the straight and narrow path?
Think how much time and effort I saved after listening to the locals who’ve lived in this little town for years and years! How much more would all of us benefit if we’d just trust the One who’s already been where we’re going?
If you can trust the locals, you can certainly trust the Lord – He knows where everything is.
Let me begin by saying that the Charleston, S.C. coffee scene is ALIVE and WELL! Keep reading to discover why!
Vacation
I can’t tell you about the coffee in Charleston without first telling you about what got all this started. Last week we went to Charleston to see our oldest daughter and son-in-law (Alicia and Josh), and, of course, our first grand-baby, Emma Louise.
Emma Lou and Me (I don’t know why she looked worried)
We had a wonderful time staying with Alicia and Josh and Emma, but what made it great was that Emma puked on everyone else but me! YAY me!
We were there from Sunday night till Saturday afternoon, and I had plenty of time to read, study, and eat shrimp and grits. But during our visit I thought it would be great to spend some quality time with my youngest, Haley, who is also a coffee lover. Therefore, I came up with the idea to visit at least 10 (we ended up with around 14, I think) of the “best” coffee shops in the Charleston area.
Backstory… A few years ago a day came when I had to visit four (4) funerals in one day. Being the dutiful PK (preacher’s kid), Haley went along with me. So, in order to put the “fun” in funeral (sorry), we came up with a contest – which funeral home had the best coffee? So, now you know why this idea for a Coffee Crawl through Charleston didn’t seem that crazy.
The Plan
The plan was simple: Go visit at least 10 (ended up with 14) coffee shops in the Charleston area, primarily in the downtown area where they’d be closer together. One reason for keeping it close to the downtown area was the time involved: I wanted to do this quickly, hopefully in one day. The other reason was that I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on gas!
Since I only knew of one coffee shop in the area, the one where my son-in-law buys all his coffee, I did a quick Google search. From that I was able to pull a list of the most recommended establishments and their locations, and from that I developed an agenda.
Unfortunately, the best-laid plans are always subject to unplanned events. So, when 4 inches of rain fell in a few hours and the alternator on my car died (which Josh and I had to replace), the Charleston Coffee Crawl got spread out to a total, including the final visit to buy a bag of beans, of four days! In the video I made I only mention two days, but I wasn’t trying to mislead.
Below you will find a list (in order of our visit, not ranking) of every coffee shop, cafe, and roaster we visited, along with what we thought about each one. There will also be links to their websites and such in the reviews so that you can find out more about them and hopefully pay them a visit 🙂
1101 East Montague Avenue, North Charleston, South Carolina 29405
The Orange Spot was the first place we visited. If I had gotten the hang of things a little earlier, I would have done some video there, but I didn’t. Nevertheless, Haley and I really liked the little place. The atmosphere was inviting and casual (as most places are), and evidently a great place to hang out – we couldn’t even find a seat!
Jenny was the lady we spoke with, and she was the first to hear our idea for the coffee crawl. We asked for a sample of their regular coffee – the already-brewed kind – and she was happy to oblige. When we tasted it, I thought it had a hint of citrus and a slight acidity; Haley thought it was bitter. I did think it had a smooth finish, however. Jenny said that she likes it a little “zippy.”
The Orange Spot wasn’t exactly in downtown Charleston, but we decided to drive through North Charleston on the way from where we were staying with family.
Overall: Good coffee. If I lived in North Charleston, I’d definitely go back.
Mercantile and Mash is located in a “recently renovated cigar factory,” and it was our next stop on the crawl. We were nearly blown away by the merchandise of this mercantile, so it took a little longer than we planned as we strolled around. Unlike any of the other coffee shops, this place actually had a meat shop! I mean, they sold gourmet cuts of meats, not your average hamburger.
Not a dedicated coffee shop, Mercantile and Mash is also known for its adult beverages, specifically the kind with a little more kick than caffeine. However, even though coffee wasn’t the big seller, the folks behind the counter were happy to talk and offer advice.
They were the first to offer us samples of coffee in actual espresso cups, and that set a new standard for the rest of the crawl. And as for the coffee, I thought their basic black coffee was excellent. Haley said, “This is some of the best black coffee I’ve ever had!” It was light, low in acidity, but rich in flavor.
Overall: Great place. Great atmosphere. Lots and lots of seating with room for computers or books. LOTS of stuff besides coffee. Dustin served us, and he was originally from Tennessee 🙂
The Daily was a hoppin place! I’m talking busy! After getting our samples, along with a wonderfully-moist and tasty lemon cake-like-thing, I proclaimed that the basic coffee they gave us was the best-tasting coffee so far – and it ended up being my favorite of the whole trip. They offered a blend roasted by Springbok Coffee Roasters (affiliated with Kudu Coffee) called “Butcher and Bean.”
Interesting note: Come to find out, several of the coffee shops that didn’t roast their own coffee used Springbok Coffee Roasters beans or specialized blends (like the “Restoration Blend” made for the hotel in which The Rise coffee shop is located).
Overall: Wonderful place. Fast-paced initial atmosphere, but plenty of room to sit, chill, and sip a fantastic cup of coffee.
The rain really put a damper on our tour of Charleston, and as you can see in the video I’ve attached, many roads were actually closed! However, as we were driving out after leaving The Daily, a random turn led us right by Babas on Cannon. Here we thought we were done for the day, but the next thing we knew we were in unique coffee heaven.
Go to their website (linked above) and you will find that Babas is not your average coffee shop. As a matter of fact, the barista who helped us that day (I never got his name, but his photo is in the video) was the most hospitable, proud-of-what-they-offered kind of guy we met! Not only did he gleefully agree to give us samples of their regular coffee, he practically pleaded with us to let him make for us two other drinks to try! One was a tall, cold, shaken coffee that was as smooth as water; the other was a shaken, cold, foamy espresso that left Haley and I speechless – except for “wow.”
Overall: Totally unique. Great coffee and service. Very hospitable. Quaint.
The Rise was the only coffee shop that we visited that was attached to a hotel. By comparison, the Rise was small. It really didn’t offer too much by way of coffee options, options for food, or even merchandise to take home to the waiting family. No, The Rise was simply a place to get a good cup of coffee made with beans specially roasted by the Springbok folk.
As strange as it may sound, two things made our stop at The Rise memorable: the marble counter and the reading room. Well, I don’t know if the counter where we sat was actual marble, but it was certainly nice! But it was the suggestion from the barista to walk through a door into the library and reading lounge of The Restoration (a hotel) that made all the difference.
I’ll be honest, it was really funny when I stepped out of the men’s room at The Restoration and was met with “What did your bathroom look like? Was it nice?” Haley was totally impressed with the ladies’ restroom, so much so that she had to show it to me…and it was fancier than the men’s – just saying.
Overall: The Rise is a good place to pick up a cup of coffee as you’re passing through to see the sights, read a book in the library, or before you visit the swanky restrooms. Oh, and sitting at the white marble bar asking strangers what they think about it is fun, too 🙂
Second State Coffee was the first one of the coffee shops that we visited while walking around downtown Charleston. And let me just say that doing the walking tour of coffee bars is totally worth it. I mean, it’s not just the coffee that makes the walking worth it; it’s the sights you see along the way, especially the ones you miss while driving, that add to the experience.
My first impressions of Second State were that it was very friendly, cute, bright, and lively. Those might not be words you’d choose, but surely charming and inviting might be. I just loved the look of the old place from the outside, then fell more in love as soon as I opened the door.
Second State serves their own roasted coffee blends, and the day we visited they served us an Ethiopian blend that had a “sour” tang to it, was a little acidic, but needed no creamer, that’s for sure. Ethiopian blends are not my personal favorite, but this one was nice. Haley said it “wasn’t her favorite.”
Overall: This is the kind of place where college students and professors alike come to sit, compute on their MacBooks, and enjoy a good cup of coffee prepared by people who care about what they do. I’d go back in a heartbeat.
When I think of a “bar,” coffee is not the first thing that comes to mind. What comes to mind is either a smoky dive where unhappy people consume beverages meant to numb their pain, or the stereotypical “Cheers” place where everybody knows your name. City Lights Coffee had an atmosphere a lot like the latter.
I’m not joking when I say this, but “character” was the first word that came to mind when I walked into City Lights Coffee. And I’m not exaggerating when I say that the girl who served us seemed more like a sympathetic bartender than someone who works at a coffee bar. The next time you lose your job, or should your wife leave you for a millionaire, instead of getting drunk at some dive, pay a visit to City Lights – the coffee will do you good 🙂
Overall: I really liked this little place. Keep in mind, it’s not a place you drive to, park, and then go inside. There is literally NO parking; you have to walk to it. They served an Ethiopian roast that Haley actually liked.
I’m going to be totally honest with you on this one – you really need to visit Bitty & Beau’s, whether you like coffee, or not.
Bitty & Beau’s is not famous for its coffee, but for those who are employed to serve it to you. This company has three locations, but we, of course, went to the one in Charleston. However, at all three locations Bitty & Beau’s hires people who are intellectually challenged or were born with Down Syndrome. This, alone, will make your day. The coffee is just icing on the cake!
Overall: Honestly, the coffee was good, but had it been through-the-roof great I wouldn’t have noticed. The joy I received from watching people do their jobs with such enthusiasm and pride; being reminded as I stood in line that even though the world sees a disability, those with Down Syndrome are #notbroken; the visit alone made the coffee worth it.
Honesty is the best policy, right? Well, if so, I must tell you the truth about Caviar and Bananas: It’s NOT a coffee bar.
Maybe it was all about other things, but we were really looking forward to visiting this establishment. My son-in-law’s brother made a big deal of the place and told us we “had” to put it on our list. I mean, if “caviar” is in the name, why not? But it was not too long after we walked in that we were disappointed with the lack of “coffee shop” atmosphere. Oh, don’t get me wrong! The place was pretty nice and hip – it was like a scaled-down Whole Foods store meant for a college campus crowd, but it had little charm.
Here’s probably the biggest difference between Caviar and Bananas: the counter staff. Haley and I both felt no love from the people who served us – to them we were just another customer. Basically, the people that work there seem to do a good job, but they aren’t there because they’re passionate about coffee.
Overall: This is a great place to stop for a quick sandwich or salad, some pastries, a cold beer, a cup of coffee, and then get on about your day. It’s not a place to bring your laptop and sit while you enjoy an espresso.
If you want to visit a cute little coffee bar that pays homage to one particular extinct dinosaur, look no further than Tricera Coffee. As a matter of fact, all you have to do is walk out of Caviar and Bananas and turn right – it’s not even a stone’s throw away! Ironically, I asked a couple of ladies who were grabbing a bite to eat with their kids at Caviar and Bananas if they’d ever been to Tricera Coffee. Neither one had heard of the place, even though both had lived in the area for 3 years! Seriously?
Anyway, there is a whole triceratops theme going on at this place, and it’s pretty cute. As a matter of fact, if you want a good laugh, make sure you go to Tricera Coffee’s website and look at the pictures.
Overall: The coffee was acceptable, but not the best. Maybe it was just the roast they had that day. Haley thought it tasted like “mud.” I thought that was too harsh of a comparison. It might have not been my favorite coffee, but it was nice and had a sweet finish.
Kudu Coffee was the only coffee establishment that was recommended to us by at least four other coffee shops. Literally, at least three other baristas asked, “Have you been to Kudu’s, yet?” I mean, if the other coffee shops are telling you to go there, what else do you do?
Kudu Coffee and Springbok Roasters were both started by the same South Africans. Actually, the names Kudu and Springbok come from the names of South African animals – the long-horned antelope type. Therefore, there is a horn theme to some of their logos and decoration. When we found out about the animal names it all made sense.
On the day that we visited Kudu, we were treated with a creation by the local award-winning barista who made a pretty cappuccino for us (you can watch it in the video I made).
On a funny note: Right across the street from Kudu’s is the offices of an evangelical Lutheran church. I told Haley that I’d bet a dollar the staff of the church drinks more than coffee when they step over for meetings 😉
Overall: Some parking on the street. Plenty of sitting room inside, plus a beautiful and spacious coffee/beer garden outside. And since the other coffee shops recommended this place so much, it really doesn’t matter what I think the coffee tastes like, right?
Let me share with you the exact words I wrote in my notebook just seconds after walking through the doors of Broom Wagon, a coffee shop that wasn’t even on our initial list until it was also recommended by other coffee shop owners: “Pretty, lively, happy, fresh, upbeat music.”
Broom Wagon was not on our initial list, but it was recommended…and it was on the way back from downtown Charleston to the Ashley River area. So, even though we were running out of time that day, I convinced Haley we should stop. We were both glad we did.
John was the one who served us that day, and let me just say that he was full of energy, enthusiastic, and happy to share his knowledge about coffee with us newbies.
Overall: Like I implied earlier, this is a happy-feeling place with plenty of parking, easy access, and a super friendly, knowledgeable staff. Oh, and the coffee was great, too! The only place that served us nitrogen-infused coffee and took the time to explain it. I’d like to go back.
If there was an overall favorite with Haley, this was it. I can’t blame her. There was just something about this place that struck a chord with us, and maybe it’s because at Highfalutin Coffee Roasters the main thing is not pastries, ambiance, or craft beer – it’s the art of fine coffee. And we’re not talking about sugary, syrupy, froo-froo concoctions people who don’t like coffee drink in order to make believe they like coffee, either. This place just makes dang good coffee.
When we first walked up to the counter, Haley asked the owner and founder Adam Hunt the following question: “We’d just like to try a sample of your regular coffee.” Adam replied with: “There’s just one problem with what you’re asking. We don’t serve regular coffee; we serve exceptional coffee.”
So, what did he offer us? A small batch from Burundi that he’d imported in an effort to help encourage the quality of the coffee growers there. His description: “Sweet with big fruit acidity and creamy mouthfeel; chocolate, sugar cane, lavender and grapefruit flavors.” Dude, all I can say is that the man knows his stuff and is serious about coffee – and you can taste the difference.
Overall: One of the top 3 coffee shops in all of Charleston. Plenty of sitting area inside and out. Parking could be better, but oh well. The only place we went to where there was live music – and that was good, too!
2875 Ashley River Road, Suite 1, Charleston, SC 29414
This is the place where my son-in-law buys all his coffee. Literally, it’s only a mile or two down the road from his house, so that’s a contributing factor. However, like I told my youngest, no other coffee place smells as nice as this one when you walk in the door. Part of the reason could be the 20 or so bags of coffee sitting out in the open!
Charleston Coffee Exchange is certainly the place to go if you want to buy a good cup of coffee and take home with you a bag of coffee beans. The choices leave little to be desired.
Overall: Really good coffee by the cup. Not as personable as some of the other coffee bars, but still friendly. Plenty of parking and room to sit for a while. In a shopping area, so a little more fast-paced and less-likely to see more than one or two people chilling and chatting.
Conclusion
After all was said and done, even after visiting the most wonderful coffee shops around, the best part of the Charleston Coffee Crawl was spending time with my beautiful daughter, Haley Brianna.
Take the time to do something fun and inexpensive like this with someone you love, especially over a cup of good coffee 🙂
I like coffee, but I wouldn’t say I love it. My wife and kids, on the other hand, are worth dying for. I love them. I only like coffee. I’m not going to jump in front of a moving train to save an espresso.
But there are times when I like coffee more than I like my wife. Every once in a while I want a cup of coffee more than a kiss or a hug. I still love my wife, but she won’t fit into the French press.
Now, it must be said that I also like tea. Thanks to the influence of certain English folk, my tea consumption has increased a thousand fold! Yet, tea is not coffee. Sometimes I want coffee more than tea. Sometimes tea needs to leaf me alone. There’s a big difference between loose-leaf anything and some medium roast Jamaican Blue Mountain. That’s real coffee, and I really like it.
What is Real?
But wait! That raises a question. What is real coffee? What is the difference between freshly brewed coffee and let’s say, uh, freeze-dried instant? Both are real, aren’t they?
Fake coffee. Whoever still drinks that stuff on purpose should be psychologically evaluated. Coffee is only coffee if it comes about as the result of gently ground coffee beans being caressed by steaming hot water. Chicory is of the Devil.
Instant coffee. It comes packaged in a jar, but it is made from real coffee. It may not taste as good as fresh-brewed, but it’s real, nevertheless. The worst instant coffee is still better than dandelion tea, believe me.
Nasty coffee. Even the stuff you find in a gas station, an army mess tent, or a crazy relative’s thermos is still coffee. Coffee is coffee, even if it tastes like road tar.
“Unleaded.” What I don’t understand is decaffeinated coffee. Sure, it tastes the same to most people, but why would anyone want it? Without the caffeine coffee is…well…it’s just not coffee. It has the look and taste, but no umph, no kick, no power.
Powerless
Decaffeinated Christianity is the same way. It looks like the real thing. It smells like the real thing. It tastes like the real thing. For crying out loud, it even outsells full-strength, real Christianity 10 to 1! People love it! They wear t-shirts promoting their favorite brand. Yet, decaffeinated Christianity is no better than decaffeinated coffee without the Power.
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! – 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT
There are some things and people that don’t deserve a “day” for themselves, however…
Today is National Coffee Day.
How am I celebrating?
Well, first of all, I took my cup of coffee and my Bible and went outside and staged a photo. I plan on doing some study on the front porch while sitting in the antique glider, but I don’t plan on studying at this metal table in the front yard. However, it made for a decent photo, don’t you think?
Secondly, I’m going to drink coffee all day. Don’t worry, a lot of it (but not all) will be decaffeinated.
Thirdly, I’m going to pretend I’m going to Krispy Kreme to get a free cup of coffee because I’m not going to drive the 20 miles and then wait in line, only to be tempted to purchase a dozen hot, life-altering donuts (and what’s worse, they now even have a “coffee glazed”).
Fourth, I am going to thank God I’m not living as a Southerner in the Civil War (The War of Northern Aggression) when Yankee embargos kept coffee from being imported. Believe it or not, the average Confederate soldier had to substitute dried dandelion and other nasty stuff for coffee, which actually did have a detrimental effect on morale – and alertness. #*@! Yankees!
Fifth and finally, I’m going to thank God for the coffee bean and the invention of hot water, for, as the Bible clearly says (and I’m actually preaching from this passage tomorrow in my continuing series through the book of James):
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights [He provides the fire to heat the water], with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. – James 1:17 KJV
This morning, before I got out of bed, I told my wife, “I just want to write!” Last night I went to bed with thoughts I wanted to express, but were wondering which to tackle first. Writing, of course, is one of the most therapeutic exercises for relieving stress and clearing one’s mind, but some of what I want to write about face some barriers to my sensibilities.
“It’s not like I have writer’s block…” I said, as my wife looked at me with a look that implied indifference to my struggle – which is a common expression from those who don’t understand the need to pound a computer keyboard – “…it’s like I have ‘writer’s wall‘!”
Do any of you understand what I talking about? It’s like there are a ton of things worth discussing, but what will happen when I write about them? For example, I seriously want to write about the “F” word and its usage. Also, there’s all the curse words like “damn” and “go to hell” that need to be realistically addressed in the light of atheism. What do you think the reaction from my conservative readership would be? How could I set those up?
Another topic would be the definitions of “racism” and “racist.” Personally, I believe that without a biblical worldview and the Christian faith, the whole subject of racism is an ironic joke unwittingly perpetrated on a daily basis by millions upon millions. Yet, what would be the repercussions should I even approach that topic? Would I get banned from social media without even getting to make my point?
It’s not like I have nothing to write about; it’s just that there’s so much which poses a real challenge, even a danger, to put into print. Unfortunately, that only adds to unwanted stress.
Racist Coffee
So, as I was trying to decide if or what I would write about, I made the seemingly innocuous decision to make a Saturday-morning pot of coffee. If anything was going to get done this morning, besides the rest of the activities and chores which the rest of the day holds, a good cup of coffee made perfect sense.
Using a conventional Mr. Coffee drip coffee maker, I poured in the right amount of water, to begin with, and then placed in the filter to hold the grounds. For some unknown reason, possibly the result of criminal activity, I could not find my usual tool to measure out the appropriate amount of ground coffee to put in the filter; therefore, I selected a previously-unused measuring spoon from the counter drawer and put it to use.
A few minutes later – and not a minute too soon – the coffee maker beeped at me, signifying the coffee-making process had finished and my morning caffeine was ready for consumption. Unfortunately, as soon as I poured the freshly-brewed coffee into my white ceramic mug, the blackness of the liquid signaled something went wrong. Obviously, the previously-unused measuring spoon resulted in me using too many coffee grounds for the amount of water in the pot.
The coffee was now too dark, too “black.”
Immediately…not like I had a chance to jokingly come up with it…immediately…just as soon as I looked down into my white cup with the “too black” coffee!…the thought came into my mind, “Great! All I wanted was a cup of coffee, and now I’m a racist.”
Folks, when you can’t even make a simple cup of coffee in the morning without the constant drumming of media messaging and labeling affecting completely unrelated actions, society…civilized society…is in big, big, trouble.
A friend posted the above picture to his Facebook wall, noting he got this as a Father’s Day present.
When I read what was on the cup I literally laughed out loud. My wife, a little annoyed by my disturbing behavior, continued playing a card game on her phone (which is her normal practice as she winds down to sleep).
She briefly glanced in my direction as if to ask, “What’s so funny?” But she didn’t ask… She knows I can’t keep something funny to myself.
She makes a quick play on her phone before my inevitable interruption.
I rolled over and said, “You’ve got to see this,” and showed her the picture. Hardly able to keep from laughing once again, I read to her what was on the cup…
As if waiting for a punchline, she asked, “And?”
Once again I started laughing…
Then I said…
“And evidently you must be the other kind.”
(I’m sorry Valerie, but it was too funny not to share.)
In an effort to keep you entertained and encouraged, even though I’m too pressed for time to press a shirt or French press some coffee, here’s a re-run…a repeat…a re-heated cup of truth. (Oh, and don’t forget to check out ProverbialThought.com)
Like vs. Love
I like coffee, but I wouldn’t say I love it. My wife and kids, on the other hand, are worth dying for. I love them. I only like coffee. I’m not going to jump in front of a moving train to save an espresso.
But there are times when I like coffee more than I like my wife. Every once in a while I want a cup of coffee more than a kiss or a hug. I still love my wife, but she won’t fit into the French press.
Now, it must be said that I also like tea. Thanks to the influence of certain English folk, my tea consumption has increased a thousand fold! Yet, tea is not coffee. Sometimes I want coffee more than tea. Sometimes tea needs to leaf me alone. There’s a big difference between loose-leaf anything and some medium roast Jamaican Blue Mountain. That’s real coffee, and I really like it.
What is Real?
But wait! That raises a question. What is real coffee? What is the difference between freshly brewed coffee and let’s say, uh, freeze-dried instant? Both are real, aren’t they?
Fake coffee. Whoever still drinks that stuff on purpose should be psychologically evaluated. Coffee is only coffee if it comes about as the result of gently ground coffee beans being caressed by steaming hot water. Chicory is of the Devil.
Instant coffee. It comes packaged in a jar, but it is made from real coffee. It may not taste as good as fresh-brewed, but it’s real, nevertheless. The worst instant coffee is still better than dandelion tea, believe me.
Nasty coffee. Even the stuff you find in a gas station, an army mess tent, or a crazy relative’s thermos is still coffee. Coffee is coffee, even if it tastes like road tar.
“Unleaded.” What I don’t understand is decaffeinated coffee. Sure, it tastes the same to most people, but why would anyone want it? Without the caffeine coffee is…well…it’s just not coffee. It has the look and taste, but no umph, no kick, no power.
Powerless
Decaffeinated Christianity is the same way. It looks like the real thing. It smells like the real thing. It tastes like the real thing. For crying out loud, it even outsells full-strength, real Christianity 10 to 1! People love it! They wear t-shirts promoting their favorite brand. Yet, decaffeinated Christianity is no better than decaffeinated coffee without the Power.
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! – 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT
I don’t understand it.
Go to their website (linked above) and you will find that Babas is not your average coffee shop. As a matter of fact, the barista who helped us that day (I never got his name, but his photo is in the video) was the most hospitable, proud-of-what-they-offered kind of guy we met! Not only did he gleefully agree to give us samples of their regular coffee, he practically pleaded with us to let him make for us two other drinks to try! One was a tall, cold, shaken coffee that was as smooth as water; the other was a shaken, cold, foamy espresso that left Haley and I speechless – except for “wow.”
The Rise was the only coffee shop that we visited that was attached to a hotel. By comparison, the Rise was small. It really didn’t offer too much by way of coffee options, options for food, or even merchandise to take home to the waiting family. No, The Rise was simply a place to get a good cup of coffee made with beans specially roasted by the Springbok folk.
Second State Coffee was the first one of the coffee shops that we visited while walking around downtown Charleston. And let me just say that doing the walking tour of coffee bars is totally worth it. I mean, it’s not just the coffee that makes the walking worth it; it’s the sights you see along the way, especially the ones you miss while driving, that add to the experience.
When I think of a “bar,” coffee is not the first thing that comes to mind. What comes to mind is either a smoky dive where unhappy people consume beverages meant to numb their pain, or the stereotypical “Cheers” place where everybody knows your name. City Lights Coffee had an atmosphere a lot like the latter.
If you want to visit a cute little coffee bar that pays homage to one particular extinct dinosaur, look no further than Tricera Coffee. As a matter of fact, all you have to do is walk out of Caviar and Bananas and turn right – it’s not even a stone’s throw away! Ironically, I asked a couple of ladies who were grabbing a bite to eat with their kids at Caviar and Bananas if they’d ever been to Tricera Coffee. Neither one had heard of the place, even though both had lived in the area for 3 years! Seriously?
Let me share with you the exact words I wrote in my notebook just seconds after walking through the doors of Broom Wagon, a coffee shop that wasn’t even on our initial list until it was also recommended by other coffee shop owners: “Pretty, lively, happy, fresh, upbeat music.”
When we first walked up to the counter, Haley asked the owner and founder Adam Hunt the following question: “We’d just like to try a sample of your regular coffee.” Adam replied with: “There’s just one problem with what you’re asking. We don’t serve regular coffee; we serve exceptional coffee.”
This is the place where my son-in-law buys all his coffee. Literally, it’s only a mile or two down the road from his house, so that’s a contributing factor. However, like I told my youngest, no other coffee place smells as nice as this one when you walk in the door. Part of the reason could be the 20 or so bags of coffee sitting out in the open!
The coffee was now too dark, too “black.”
The Recovering Legalist 