Help Me Learn To Like Coffee

[Kestra]

I really can't stand the stuff, but I want to start drinking it. Caffeine purposes, mostly. I tried once back in college but I couldn't cut it. I've had friends tell me that I just need to try the right coffee, but I have no idea what that is.

I bought something from Dunkin Donuts today and it tasted as vile as every other coffee I've had. It's now approximately 50% sugar by volume and I can barely tolerate it. I know it's an acquired taste, but I was wondering if there's anything specific I should be trying.

Any suggestions of where I should try coffee from, what types, etc would help. We have a coffee machine thing at home that I got for my husband but it uses those pods so I'm not sure what choices are available there.

I'm also a bit wary that I might not be able to tolerate something with an insanely high amount of caffeine, as I've sometimes gotten ill after drinking coffee out (especially from Borders).

 

[Shazam!]

Why do you want to like coffee?

 

[Pingfah]

Just drink tea, a nice strong cup has plenty of caffeine, and doesn't taste like mud either.

 

[Kestra]

I could use the caffeine boost when I pull long hours of work without much sleep.

 

[Shazam!]

My advice would be to stop pulling long hours and get some sleep then.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

There's no way to make you like coffee. You either like coffee or you don't. It's like there's a coffee drinking gene in some people. Me, I can't stand coffee and I never will. If you need caffeine, drink tea. There's a very high amount of caffeine in tea.

 

[Kestra]

My advice would be to stop pulling long hours and get some sleep then.

I appreciate the sentiment, but that's unlikely at this point in my life. I'm not looking for life advice here. Just if there are any types of coffee that people find are easier to drink than others, and such.

There's no way to make you like coffee. You either like coffee or you don't. It's like there's a coffee drinking gene in some people. Me, I can't stand coffee and I never will. If you need caffeine, drink tea. There's a very high amount of caffeine in tea.

Is there a tea gene, too? Because I'm not crazy about tea either.

 

[John Clark]

Sorry, Can't help you either

Just the smell of coffee is enough to put me off though I have tried it almost every way I can think of and I still can't stomach it

For my caffeine fix, it's usually Tea or Coke.

 

[Luckyflux]

Too much sugar can be a turn off towards coffee. You just acquire the bitter taste. Try mixing it up and trying different varieties. Use different milk or cream. Light cream is good. Also try condensed milk. That is syrupy sweet but great in coffee.

Try some Kaluha in the coffee too. It gives it a flavor boost.

Try some specialty coffee drink such as a Vanilla Latte or Caramel Mochiato (sp?)

Eventually you'll get the taste. But turning someone onto coffee is alittle like giving someone a cigarette so they can start smoking. Coffee is the worst thing for you, but if you've gone this long without it you are probably better off.

What about taking a No-Doz or Vivarin pill whenever you want a work boost? Just wsh one down with a good cup of tea and you'll be bouncing off the walls in no time.

 

[Kestra]

Kahlua as in ... alcohol? Also is coffee really that bad healthwise?

 

[John Picard]

Kahlua as in ... alcohol? Also is coffee really that bad healthwise?

Coffee and beer are both ambrosia from the gods, so no, it's not bad.

You might want to try some flavored coffees or even Lite coffee. My preference is two cream and two sugar in my cup. In the colder months, I gravitate toward the stronger Colombian roasts, while in the warmer months it is the lighter roasts.

 

[Finn]

I used to dislike coffee. You see, growing up, the coffee I tried was folgers which Dad drank. I thought it was awful. Then I got with my now fiancée last winter and she introduced me to community coffee, a brand from the deep south where she and her family are originally from. It was a big difference. I tried Dad's last spring and found it awful. But I love community coffee brand.

 

[StolenThunder]

Cafe mocha is probably a reasonable entry point. Takes away a little of the edge.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Cafe mocha is probably a reasonable entry point. Takes away a little of the edge.

That's my favorite drink at Starbucks.

Here's my idea of a perfect day off from work: Sitting on my couch, watching This Week In Baseball, and drinking a mocha.

 

[Lindley]

Is there a tea gene, too? Because I'm not crazy about tea either.

Well now, that doesn't make sense. Unless you just haven't had it prepared properly.

 

[RoJoHen]

Coffee is one of those things that grows on you. I doubt many people liked it the first time they tried it. Same with tea. Same with beer.

Coffee is bitter. When I first started drinking coffee, I loaded it up with milk, sugar, and flavored creamers. As I got older (and Kestra, I'm only a year younger than you), I found I started to enjoy the coffee taste more and so I don't need as much extra flavorings. If you're really interested in being a coffee drinker, I would suggest buying some nicer creamers. I used to love the French Vanilla flavor. Currently, the White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks is my favorite coffee drink.

I don't drink too much of it lately, as I try to avoid unnecessary sugar (I'm still not quite able to drink black coffee), but I definitely indulge from time to time.

I also recently (within the last few months) started drinking hot tea. I usually have to use 2 tea bags for one cup, otherwise it tastes too much like water. I've been drinking hot Green Tea (and I really enjoy the Lipton's Mixed Berry flavor). I've actually been drinking it as a pre-workout drink; it gives me so much energy! And I honestly haven't felt this healthy in a while. Green Tea might be magic.

When all else fails: Jagerbombs.


EDIT: Also, this time of year they start selling Pumpkin-flavored creamers and things, if that does anything for ya.

 

[Lindley]

I've never developed a taste for green tea. And black tea without milk is iffy.

But English Breakfast with a bit of skim milk (don't use Half&Half for tea, ever) and just a bit of sweetener is awesome.

 

[RoJoHen]

Green tea is the only tea I've ever had that didn't taste gross to me, and even that took a while.

 

[backstept]

I used to put waaaay too much sugar in my coffee . . . so much that I'd have a ton of sugar stuck to the bottom of my mug
now I don't put so much in

 

[RoJoHen]

I used to put waaaay too much sugar in my coffee . . . so much that I'd have a ton of sugar stuck to the bottom of my mug
now I don't put so much in

My roommate was like that. It was disgusting.