CAFE SESSION WITH STEVE: APRIL 2023

Hey there, coffee lovers! It's a great day for a Café Session, isn't it? We know this one came a little late; but in our defense, April was crazy busy! We know you wait for these Café Session with bated breath, so we couldn’t leave you hanging for long! What’s happening this month? Well, it’s heating up in Denver – both literally and figuratively. While the Colorado Avalanches may have been knocked out of the NHL playoffs, the Denver Nuggets are looking like they could take it all the way! And it's Rockies season once again, which means plenty of games to attend, expensive beers to drink, and hot dogs to eat. Plus, with the warmer weather finally upon us, we can finally start enjoying our drinks outdoors again, and maybe even plan some park days. Speaking of drinks, have you been wondering when it's time to switch from hot coffee to cold brews? Don't worry, we've got a blog post for that! So grab your favorite drink and let's chat about a couple of the questions you had for us this month!

WHAT’S THE MOST UNUSUAL COFFEE DRINK YOU HAVE EVER MADE?

When it comes to unusual coffee drinks, the possibilities are endless! As a barista, I have had the pleasure of crafting some truly unique drinks for customers. While trendy ingredients like mushrooms have made their way into coffee culture (and are popular enough we can’t really consider them “unusual” anymore), there are still plenty of unexpected combinations that can surprise even the most adventurous coffee drinkers.

One of the things I love most about coffee is its versatility. Whether you prefer your drinks sweet or savory, hot or cold, the best part about coffee is that it can be catered to any preference! Personally, I never really grew out of my hot chocolate phase, so I enjoy adding a touch of chocolate to my coffee drinks each morning! And while I'm always up for experimenting with new flavors and ingredients, there are still some combinations that make me pause.

 Don't get me wrong, I will gladly make any concoction you come up with. Who knows? It might even become the next hip drink! However, there are some combinations I just find odd. For example, I used to think that coffee and tea were mutually exclusive, and the thought of combining them made me cringe. I thought we all functioned on the same daily drink cycle: water. Coffee. Tea. Tequila. But I will be the first to admit when I’m wrong, and as it turns out, a "Dirty Chai" with espresso and chai tea has become a beloved staple in the coffee world. (Coffee and tea, who knew!?)

That said, the most unusual coffee drink I have ever made would have to be a turmeric latte with espresso added. Turmeric is a powerful spice with a distinct flavor, and I was skeptical about how it would pair with coffee. But to my surprise, the two flavors complemented each other beautifully, creating a warm and spicy latte that was unlike anything I had tasted before. (I should have known better, what isn’t better with coffee?).

At the end of the day, the beauty of coffee is that there is always room for experimentation and creativity. So, whether you're looking to try something new or stick to a classic drink, there is a world of coffee out there waiting to be explored, and I’m here to help!

WHAT’S THE BEST COFFEE FOR A HANGOVER?

The dreaded hangover. We've all been there, feeling like a truck ran over us and wondering how we'll make it through the day. And while we each have our own remedies we swear by, the question remains: what's the best coffee for a hangover?

Some people swear by a fresh shower with a hot cup of coffee by your side. Others claim gulping down a Gatorade the moment you wake up and/or chowing on a cheeseburger for breakfast does the trick. Regardless of your go-to hangover “cure”, the one thing we can all agree on is we all need a little help after a night of hitting the bottle.

Oddly enough however, caffeine can actually worsen the effects of a hangover. Caffeine -as a vasoconstrictor - narrows your blood vessels, which can make your headache worse. Additionally, caffeine can increase your blood pressure, which is already elevated when you're suffering from a hangover. So, as much as you may want to reach for that hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning, it may not be the best option for you.

Of course, this doesn't mean that coffee can't be a useful tool in your hangover recovery arsenal. If you're a regular coffee drinker, your body is likely used to the caffeine, so you may not experience the same negative effects as someone who rarely drinks it. Just be aware that coffee is also a diuretic, which means it can further dehydrate your already parched body.

So, what's the solution? Consider trying the Steve "hangover special": a combination of Gatorade to replenish electrolytes, an extra shot of coffee for that much-needed caffeine boost, and a solid breakfast burrito to help soak up any remaining alcohol in your system. This trifecta of remedies can help you tackle your hangover from all angles and have you feeling better in no time.