Judging by the number of memes about coffee, it’s fair to say it’s important to many of us.
But for those who enjoy coffee, the connoisseurs if you will, coffee is more than just a pick-me-up. It’s a lifestyle. So how do you go beyond bland beans and become an at-home barista to truly elevate your at-home coffee experience?
Machines + Coffee
From Keurig pods and the Bodum French press to De’Longhi Perfecta espresso machines, there’s a whole variety of coffee appliances for home brewing. But first, you have to start with the beans and decide whether you want to grind your own or opt for ground beans from your favourite shop. Do you prefer pods? Here’s where you can find your perfect cuppa-joe-maker: Lowe’s, Home Depot and Canadian Tire.
Next, the perfect vessel in which you hold your liquid gold. It’s important! Do you go for the classic mug (ceramic or stoneware?), or are you more of a demitasse (aka an espresso cup) person? If you’re using a pour-over, you’ll have to make sure it fits over your mug. A footed glass or a travel mug is ideal for drinkers on-the-go. Find your cup/mug/travel companion at Walmart or Bed Bath and Beyond.
Now, let’s talk about how you’d like that cup*. Do you drink it black or prefer some milk? There are SO many milk options. There’s the standard – dairy, or a plant-based version to suit any diet, intolerance or preference, like soy, rice, oat, cashew, coconut, almond milk. We could go on and on when it comes to sweeteners, but we’ll leave it here. Visit the Rakuten Gift Card Shop for a gift card to your local store and shop for all the supplies you’ll need for tomorrow’s cup of the good stuff!
*There is no wrong answer!
“Brazil has a really strong coffee culture, so I have a lot of memories of sitting around the table having coffee with my family.”
– Paula, Rakuten Canada’s Associate Account Manager
Tips + Coffee
Bring your favourite reusable cup with you to your local coffee shop to limit your environmental impact. Many will also offer you a discount on your beverage! S’well has great coffee-friendly on-the-go mugs.
Froth. Your. Milk. This is an absolute gamechanger. Keurig‘s Milk Frother whips your milk of choice to a creamy, light consistency. As an added bonus, you can opt for either warm or cool to compliment your beverage. Warning! Once you start frothing, there’s no going back.
The Gift Card Shop offers more than just grocery gift cards. McDonald’s (McCafe), local malls. Here’s where getting creative works: you can get Cash Back on Shoppers Drug Mart gift cards, and then use that gift card to purchase gift cards (from Shoppers) for Starbucks, restaurants, etc. Stack that Cash (Back!)
Books + Coffee
Whether for you or your coffee-loving bestie, books about coffee are a great addition to anyone’s library. We found five titles on Chapters-Indigo to educate and inspire you:
• The Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee: Growing, Roasting, and Drinking, with Recipes
• The World Atlas Of Coffee: From Beans To Brewing — Coffees Explored, Explained And Enjoyed
• The Little Book of Fika: The Uplifting Daily Ritual of the Swedish Coffee Break
• Craft Coffee: A Manual: Brewing A Better Cup At Home
• The Curious Barista’s Guide To Coffee
Travel + Coffee
You may or may not already know that some countries are incredibly important in the coffee realm.
Most people know that Seattle is where Starbucks originated, but what you may not know is Canada’s first Starbucks is located inside Vancouver’s Waterfront Sky Train station. It opened in 1986 just in time for the Expo. (And Seattle is only a 3-hour drive from Vancouver.)
Australia is best known for the Flat White coffee, while Japan has one of the biggest café cultures thanks to being one of the largest coffee importers. And Turkey uses Cezve (a Turkish coffee pot) to prepare coffee in a unique manner.