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The Coffee Life written & photographed by Jason Shaffer
Coffee is life. But for me, nothing can compare to a flawlessly pulled shot of espresso. My attention is stolen by the smells, the process, the chemistry between the ground beans and hot water, and of course… the final product. The near-black, liquid gold espresso flowing into a tiny cup, followed by the frothy crema floating on top like a puffy caffeinated cloud—it’s like science and art.
Broadway Mary's, 939 Broadway
I’m sitting here at 12 a.m. about to drink a quad espresso and perk myself up so I can finish this article on time. It’s like threat level midnight over here, and without the extra caffeine, it’s unlikely that I’ll get my brain to engage properly. Oddly, I can also consume mass amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep like a baby. If you’ve ever been over for a late-night movie and coffee with me, you know this to be gospel because I’m falling asleep every time.
If you don’t live the coffee life like me and my fellow caffeine zombies, here’s a fair warning… If you talk to us before our first espresso of the day, we’re not responsible for the big mood you’re about to encounter. I’m pretty sure most of you can relate to this! Call it an addiction or an obsession, but I call coffee a friend and partner, and I’m basically a monster without it.
Union Town Provisions, 422 Broadway
So how do you like your rocket fuel? Straight-up espresso in a tiny cup? A flavored latte with a beautiful design on top? How about a classic cappuccino stacked high with milk foam? And you definitely can’t go wrong with a dirty chai or breve! Just don’t say decaffeinated because that’s what insane people drink. I love to try and guess what the person ahead of me is ordering. I can spot the Americano guy a mile away. And hey… extra foam, not too hot, and a dash of cinnamon guy—I see you in the back!
lorainlocal.com | @thelorainlocal
And we all know Becky is ordering five blended iced caramel lattes with whipped cream and extra caramel drizzle. Me? I’m a triple macchiato kind of guy, lots of espresso and a little bit of foamed milk. That, or just give me a straight-up quad espresso to get me through the insanity of it all. I like to keep it basic. What about coffee shop vibes? Are you a drive-through/carryout kind of person? Or do you like to sit inside and savor each moment of your drink while it’s served in a ceramic mug? Which do you prefer, mainstream coffee chains or locallyowned shops? Monkey Island Coffee, 500 Shipyard Way Lorain Local Magazine | page 12
