National Coffee Day is September 29th, and I am honoring this glorious day with a lovely Her Campus article. Although I tend to be a bit on the anxious side, I still find myself itching for my morning coffee. Now, some might call me a fake fan because I douse my drink with more sugar and creamer than anything else, but alas, it contains that coffee aroma everyone loves.
I adore coffee for many reasons, but the shops that create these delicious drinks are at the top of my list. Coffee shops somehow manage to attract the nicest and most down-to-earth people, and I love how a common drink can bring these people together. In fact, one of my favorite coffee shops in Winona is Blooming Grounds and they often have live music to accompany your social hour (or study hour) as well. They also have a tendency to play through Harry Styles’s discography which also puts it at the top of my list.
Now, here are some cool-bean reasons to drink coffee:
- Sets up a routine
During the pandemic, one of the only things that kept me sane was my daily coffee every morning before my first Zoom. I either walked to Blooming Grounds and ordered a beloved frappe, or I whipped up a drink of my own. Doing this in the morning felt like a little ritual and it began my day well. Plus, it zapped me with some much-needed caffeine which was an added bonus.
- Opportunities to experiment
Although I am most definitely not a fan of change, I do like experimenting with different drinks and combinations. Each coffee shop has its own way of doing things, so a caramel macchiato at one location will taste entirely different at another. Coffee menus definitely never get boring and there is always something new to try!
- Healthy antioxidants
If you drink coffee like me: with lots of sugar and creamer, then this point doesn’t really count. The high number of antioxidants are still present but they are overrun with the amount of sugar in that good ol’ cup of joe. However, these antioxidants help prevent inflammation which can help with chronic disease and pain.
- Boost your energy
Everyone knows that coffee is high in caffeine but it can also help boost your memory. Caffeine from coffee affects the parts of the brain that deal with concentration and memory. So, you’ll know what I’ll be drinking hours before my next test!
- Encourages social time
Once a week or so, my friends and I go to a coffee shop to ‘study,’ although most of the time we just end up chatting. Throw in the smell of coffee and chocolate pastries and what more do you need…besides free wifi of course. This is a great environment to meet new people and it offers a good excuse to hang out with friends you haven’t seen in a while. It also could work as a relaxed first date idea for that special someone in your Bio class *wink wink*.
Coffee isn’t for everyone but it’s definitely something my tastebuds enjoy. If you’re a coffee fan, make sure you mark your calendars for September 29th! Also, don’t forget to share your cup of joe with a friend!