Food: Hot Beverage Ponderings

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Hot Beverage Ponderings
Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Hot beverages are a huge part of American life. Most Americans drink coffee; those who do not, still often prefer a hot morning drink such as tea, cider, or cocoa. Even on hot summer days, people will be found in their favorite breakfast establishment or coffee shop sipping on a steaming cup. What is it about hot drinks that are so attractive to our society?

Perhaps it is simply the feeling of warmth that reminds us unconsciously of sunny childhood summers when life was carefree and days were endless. In our rush and hurry world of traffic, cell phones, long work days, day care, and never enough sleep, a tiny trip down memory lane each day, even only in our subconscious mind, might be what keeps many of us from going over the edge. Or perhaps it is even more than just remembrances of a happy childhood. Maybe our desire for warmth goes all the way back to the womb. Maybe the warm liquid touches a part of our long, long ago memory that takes us to a place where we were completely free, cared for, and safe.

Of course, coffee doesn't just give us peaceful warmth; the caffeine involved, which, let's face it, is what so many of us are seeking, gives us that kick we need to start the day. After stumbling bleary eyed out of bed to face yet another day of working, rushing, and lack of rest, a warm jolt of caffeine can provide a different outlook on an otherwise mundane day. Being the drug that it is, caffeine puts life in a different perspective; we feel more energetic, excited, and motivated.

But there are those of us who may enjoy the scent of a hot cup of coffee, but the taste simply turns us off. What are we to do for our warm morning cup? Many of us have found that coffee is not the only hot beverage out there with a multitude of varieties and flavors. There are more tea flavors popping up on supermarket shelves each day than can be counted. Almost anyone can find a flavor of tea that suits his fancy. From fruity to minty to bittersweet and even chocolate flavors, teas have something for everyone. And much like coffee, tea also has the option of caffeine. Green tea, which is one of the most healthy of teas, is not only rich in antioxidants, but also in caffeine. Of course, just like coffee, one can opt for the decaffeinated version. Tea has become even more than a morning hot drink; taking cues from our friends across the pond, we Americans are learning to take a mid-afternoon break with a warm cup of tea, and tea is a perfect bedtime ritual, with many herbal teas created just for that purpose - relaxation.

Most of us gave up cocoa when we grew up and graduated to coffee. But allow me to challenge you to stop and smell the hot chocolate. Hot cocoa is a rich, creamy drink that conjures up memories of winter days and cozy nights by the fire. Those of us who spent our childhoods in snowy climates might remember school snow days when we were lucky enough to stay home from school, spend the day at the local sledding hill, and come home to find that mom had made us a pot of hot cocoa and warm cookies right out of the oven. We may even share this ritual with our own children today. But cocoa isn't only for the young. Much like it's other hot beverage contemporaries, cocoa can be found in a variety of flavors now, including white chocolate, chocolate raspberry, and chocolate marshmallow, just to name a few.

Last but not least is hot apple cider (or any flavor cider, for that matter). An autumn trip to a local apple orchard will give us the opportunity to purchase fresh, local cider that can be heated up or enjoyed cold. As the days and nights grow colder, hot cider can take the place of any of the beverages mentioned above.

The next time you enjoy the hot beverage of your choice, stop for a moment and enjoy the aroma, the feel of the warmth going down your throat, and think back to simpler times; you might even remember why you started drinking it in the first place!

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