What My First Cup of Coffee Taught Me

Coffee

I hated it.

I didn’t like the smell of coffee or the way it made other people smell—almost like manure.

I also didn’t like the taste; it made my taste buds revolt against the drink.

This aversion persisted throughout the first half of my college years.

I noticed everyone else drinking coffee, but I simply ignored it.

During my second year at SMU in Texas, I realized I needed an internship and some extra cash for the summer break. That summer, I returned home to Chicago for an internship with a real estate development company. My first real gig.

I lived in Winnetka, a suburb just 25 minutes away from downtown, adorned with beautiful oak trees and peonies on every block.

Summer had arrived.

One pleasant Saturday, I decided to visit the farmers market, which was a 20-minute walk or a 3-minute drive from my place.

I wasn’t particularly in the mood to walk as I felt slightly fatigued. This was because I had been waking up at 5 AM throughout the summer, following the routine suggested in Robin Sharma’s book, 'The 5 AM Club'

I hopped into my Grand Cherokee, hit reverse, and zoomed out the driveway.

The plan?

To snag some fresh fruit and veg for my big-ass salad I'm whipping up for lunch

Nothing beats summer weather in Chicago.

A Chicagoan endures six months of wicked winter only to be rewarded with a glorious Chicago summer.

Driving slowly, I passed by moms with headphones speed-walking their golden doodles, kids playing in front yards, and dads vigilantly watching for any potential dangers. Ah the lovely life of the burbs.

The Winnetka Farmers Market springs to life on a corner near the town hall, positioned at a bustling crossroads beloved by locals. Winnetka, with its proud history and stunning architecture, truly flaunts its charm here.

The market hosts ten booths, welcoming farmers, botanists, and healers from various parts of the state. I know one farmer who makes the drive from near Springville just for this—just typical of the hardworking and genial Midwesterners

Wandering through the market, I'm greeted by a beautiful medley of scents: organic tomatoes, earthy root vegetables, ripe strawberries vibrant and fresh this time of year, and smoked salmon.

There are also hand-woven clothes from the Amish, an array of dairy and fermented cheeses, and bracelets crafted by children. The blueberries, nestled in their green paper baskets, seem to be patiently waiting for someone to take them home.

I love coming here.

The soundscape is a blend of conversations, barking dogs with sniffing noses and wagging tails, and good old small talk about each other's kids. I took all this in, dressed in my basketball shorts and sandals—fashion has never been a part of my life, and it still isn’t

I had no intention of drinking coffee today. I came for my salad.

Walking around, I noticed some new merchants had set up that Saturday. It was mid-July, and the sun was just beginning to make its presence felt more strongly.

One vendor was selling smoked salmon from Wisconsin. There were clothing vendors, and even a chiropractor who let me try his CBD—strong stuff.

Although I hadn't been interested in coffee before, my curiosity was piqued after I started listening to a health influencer, biohacker, and longevity coach named Ben Greenfield. His podcast intrigued me, particularly his views on coffee—not only for its cognitive enhancement benefits but also for its polyphenols, those beneficial plant chemicals present in the drink.

Numerous meta-analyses have shown that coffee drinkers are associated with better cardiovascular health, fewer neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s), and generally live longer than those who don't drink coffee.

As I wandered around the market, these ideas started to resurface in my subconscious. I was in the midst of starting my health journey, looking for ways to enhance my body and mind through yoga and meditation.

Coffee had never been on my radar. I thought it was bad for you.

Why now? Coffee?

Among all the stands at the farmer's market, there was one I had never noticed before. Tucked away in a corner under a spruce tree was not a stand, but a small, gleaming white camper van, almost whimsically named 'Newport Coffee.'

In front of the van was an elegantly set table, covered with a lovely linen cloth, and atop it sat a rustic Italian espresso machine. Its mahogany accents and steel body gleamed in the sunlight.

My eyes were drawn to this captivating setup, and a flutter of excitement stirred in my stomach, reminiscent of the sensations felt on a first date

This feels right. Let’s go try it out.

It just felt right, as if the universe had steered me toward this van.

Two vibrant figures greeted

'Hi, how can I help you today?'

One of them asked, their strong Scandinavian accent ringing clearly.

Both had glistening blonde hair and deep blue eyes. The man sported a crew cut, his hair neatly brushed to the right, while the woman had her long hair pulled back into a ponytail, her soothing accent calming my nerves.

'One espresso shot, please,' I managed to say. The myriad of options overwhelmed me; that was all I could think of

The earth was just beginning to wake up. It must have been around 8:30 AM.

The sun shone brightly, the leaves whispered and danced in the breeze, and the farmers market buzzed with happy people.

'How's the day going?' I asked.

'Wonderful, how's the shop?'

'Yes, we work very hard, and we love it here,' the wife replied as her husband prepared my espresso.

The machine roared and whistled, releasing drops of hazel liquid into the cup—a familiar sound, yet one I had never truly appreciated.

'For you, sir, that will be $3.69.

Not bad, I got bread now…

I inserted my card into the square reader attached to the phone, a common sight at farmers markets these days, and waited. Stepping back, I held the cup in my hand, taking in the aromas.

Every other coffee experience I had was horrendous; I always detested the taste. In high school, I never understood the appeal of caffeine, nor did I care—I was usually stoned, and that was my thing. But now, in college and learning about how coffee could potentially enhance my body and mind, I found myself intrigued

My perception of the drink changed. Regardless of the taste, I was interested to see if it would have a positive effect on me.

Sometimes, we all have to take a leap of faith.

Holding the petite cup steady, I went for it.

The smell always hits first, accompanied by a wave of warmth at the rim. The aroma was earthy, like a farmer's perfume, with subtle undertones. And the taste—the astringency of the beans highlighted notes of macadamia and berry.

Not bad. This stuff usually sucks.

Thank you, see you next week!

Bye now, have a great one!

They replied with the loveliest Norwegian accent.

As I walked away, I slowly began to notice that the world around me seemed to communicate in a manner I was unfamiliar with.

Did it become sunnier?

Maybe it was the effect of the coffee, or perhaps just the sun rising higher in the sky.

As I walked to my car across the street, a tingling sensation started in my stomach and spread to my feet.

I had felt tired earlier.

What’s going on?

It was as if a curtain was slowly being pulled back.

My body seemed to leap into a new reality.

Yo, I feel amped right now.

The curtain finally fell away, revealing a new world to me.

The earth itself appeared to shine in vibrant colors, my body was energized, my heart rate climbing

The contrast and hues of the earth seemed to sing beautiful melodies to me.

Smiles began to spread across my face.

The euphoria vibrated throughout me, infusing me with an energy so potent, I felt like I could do anything right now

Fatigue was a distant concept.

HOLY SHITT LETS GO

The rave was calling; the gym was beckoning. The options seemed endless.

Ideas flowed through my fingertips, and the idea of walking a couple of miles home sounded freaking incredible.

I feel f**cking amaizng right now

What have I done?

As I drove home, my car transformed into a club.

House music was pure ecstasy.

The bass in the car tantalized my soul.

I felt in sync with the music, flowing through the musical bridges and getting absolutely hyped on the build-ups. At each drop, the car and I soared, dancing along with the streets. My skin felt soft, every touch sensational.

Everyone I passed seemed to have an awesome story I was eager to learn. I felt like a pro interviewer, DJ, and dancer all rolled into one. My neighbors smiled and waved, and an irrepressible smile was plastered on my face

I was on one espresso shot.

I will never forget that moment.

I got home and can’t quite remember what I did afterward, but I know it was something energetic. I think I launched myself into the air on my trampoline.

It’s been almost four years since that experience. Caffeine has been a part of my life ever since. We haven't had a steady relationship, but after the three-year mark, when I started drinking it daily, those amazing moments began to fade.

Instead of euphoria, it was aggressive stimulation and a sense of anxiety.

Instead of one espresso shot, I needed more.

I also became wiser about coffee and caffeine in general. I began to research it—learning about the active plant compounds in it, what it does to our neurotransmitters, and more

I also discovered a way to recapture that initial euphoria of my first espresso: a tolerance break.

Taking a break for 2-3 weeks brings me close to that original sensation of my first espresso shot.

Unfortunately, I don't always give coffee the respect it deserves; sometimes I abuse it, and I feel like society often does the same.

When I hear people say, 'Coffee doesn’t do anything for me,' it just makes me sad.

It could—if they would just take a break.

Coffee allows us to explore the depths of our minds, wake us from our perpetual fatigue, and immerse us in endless states of flow.

As I'm saying this, I am sipping on a cold brew.

The more I continued to drink coffee, the more vital information I picked up.

Originally, I learned to distinguish between bad, good, and great coffee. It starts with the taste, and then you delve into why it tastes that way. Perhaps it's due to the water used for brewing, the sourcing of the beans, or where they were grown.

Questions arise about whether the beans were sprayed with pesticides, the impacts of fair trade acts, the differences between organic and non-organic coffee, and how improperly stored coffee can become moldy and produce mycotoxins.

I've come a long way with caffeine and have cherished every moment with it.

Here are some principles about coffee I follow today:

• Choose only organic coffee

• If you buy it, make sure it comes from a glass

• Espresso is the way to go

• Creamers and artificial sweeteners are bad: just go black

• Use clean filtered water with a reverse osmosis filter

• If you're craving it often and it's not doing the same effect, take 2 weeks off

• Don't drink it every day: respect the plant

• Always show gratitude before drinking caffeine

• Stack caffeine with L-theanine to reduce the jitters and extend the duration

And yes,

The first cup is always the best.

I will always remember my first time.

How was your experience?

Do you remember your first time?

With Love,

Jack