BY DYLAN MCKAY
In a world that prioritizes efficiency and productivity, caffeine seems like a miracle drug. With properties that leave the user feeling stimulated, focused, and rejuvenated, it’s no wonder that caffeine-containing drinks have become staples of productivity in our contemporary society. Amongst the masses of naturally caffeinated drinks (and the many more artificially caffeinated) there lies coffee–– a modern symbol of productivity. With the United States drinking more than three times more coffee than any other country in the world, it comes as no surprise that this drink has become a regular part of the morning routines of many Americans –– youth included.
Whether they can’t function without it or drink it simply to fit in, a younger demographic is enthusiastically adopting java. When given the opportunity to sit down and talk with some of my peers about the drink we can’t get enough of, I couldn’t let this opportunity pass by.
Calling upon my similarly caffeine-addicted friends, Brooke Davies, and Natalie Reynolds, I had to get to the bottom of what kept us coming back for another cup.
Panther News: What was your first experience with coffee like?
Davies: My first coffee experience was taking sips of my mom’s black, unsweetened coffee. Once I realized I could sweeten and add milk or cream, I started to come around to it.
Reynolds: My first experience with coffee was when I was in Rome on a food tour. I had straight espresso and it was revolting. I could have been sure that my first experience would’ve been my last.
Panther News: How is coffee integrated in your day to day life?
Davies: I don’t drink it on a day to day basis, but I do really love the idea of a cup to start my morning.
Reynolds: I absolutely cannot function without it. Cannot live without it. I need a cup to start every morning.
Panther News: How does the method of consumption alter or influence your drinking experience?
Davies: If it’s an iced coffee, I’m more inclined to drink it. In the case of hot coffee, I’m a little more picky.
Reynolds: I’m definitely not a fan of hot coffee. I’m much more of an iced coffee person. I am a big fan of cappuccinos, and sometimes I’ll branch out to a hot cup when the weather cools down.
Panther News: Do you have a favorite method of consumption?
Davies: I usually go for an original iced coffee at Dunkin’. I’m more of a person that will find one thing that works for me and I’ll stick to it. I used to be a latte girl, but iced coffees don’t taste that much different.
Reynolds: I’m more of a cold brew type of girl, I love a good cup of cold brew. It just tastes better. Cold brew with oat milk–– can’t go wrong.
Panther News: How do other caffeinated beverages like tea, yerba mate, or energy drinks stack up against coffee?
Davies: I think energy drinks definitely hit me harder with caffeine than a traditional cup of coffee. In my experience, tea had never had a sufficient enough impact on me so coffee had always been the perfect middle ground.
Reynolds: Personally, I’m not a fan of sugary energy drinks. Coffee is just unmatched, the taste, smell, and experience overall cannot be competed with.
Panther News: What kind of role do you see coffee playing in mainstream culture?
Reynolds: I feel like as years have gone on, younger generations have been more exposed to it. I do think it has grown to be much more popular.
Davies: I agree with Natalie. In the past five or so years I’ve seen a spike in young people enjoying coffee.
Panther News: What role does quality play in deciding what kind of coffee you want to drink?
Davies: I’m not a coffee snob by any means. I can suffice with a hot coffee that isn’t that great or a dunkin coffee, but I typically veer away from starbucks. I don’t think I’d ever be willing to spend much more on a coffee than Dunkin’ has to offer.
Reynolds: I’m not a very picky person when it comes to coffee. I’ll drink anything from the gross coffee I make at home, to a cheap coffee from Dunkin’, or even a $12 coffee from Starbucks and be able to enjoy each one.
