Coffee

I'm on my third cup today at the time of posting, and it is quite easily my favourite beverage apart from possibly German beer. I think at this stage I might be slightly addicted to it since I genuinely feel more alive after I have had my first cup of the day, and today it was needed more than usual since I was woken by two crazy dogs wanting their walks at 6.40 this morning. It was not particularly pleasant, but I've gotten over it and I suspect it will make me sleep all the better later.

At the moment I am drinking french roast coffee, which is pretty good, although my favourite is Zoegas Mollbergs blandning, made with Arabica beans. The blurb on their website says its extra powerful and if you make it strong enough it is pretty much like rocket fuel which is just what is needed in the morning. Sleepiness has pretty much no chance against the stuff.

In Sweden pretty much the best coffee is produced in coffee makers, and you'd see one in most offices and homes around the country. Naturally also it is a regular order in cafes. It could be just me but the American system of fancier coffees such as Mochas or Lattes are not as popular here and Starbucks and Neros for instance have not made any inroads in the Swedish market. Nor has the cafetiere made much of an impression either. It is quite amazing how much a small thing like coffee drinking is so nuanced.

Here at least it has become an essential part of the culture, and the Swedish tradition of 'fika' (having coffee, eating cake and having a good natter) is one that I, and seemingly the rest of the country embraces wholeheartedly. It's rather like the Cornish tradition of tea and Scones. It really is of no surprise that Sweden is fourth in the standings for coffee consumption in the world, and this is only behind it's fellow Nordic nations; Norway, Finland and Denmark (this is per person). I always found it amazing that people aren't larger here given how much cake is consumed. In the smaller towns in Sweden it is largely the only thing to do, thus coffee has been turned from a substance to keep you awake to one that is a social adhesive. I'm utterly convinced Swedish people would get out far far less if they did not have it.

As for me, I am quite willing to subscribe to the stereotype that academics are often completely, and willingly caffeinated. If I am not at home I usually have a travel mug with me, and I am glad that universities often do not have coffee shops more than a stones throw away. I further get the feeling that the number of coffees consumed that day becomes a badge of honour, on a par with how many words you've produced that day, or how far you ran that morning (although the majority of academics do not boast about that). Thus I feel that coffee has become an essential part of my lifestyle.

Starting to feel tired, time for another cup...

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