Coffee-Coffee-Coffee!

It wakes me up in the morning.

It keeps me from falling asleep in lecture.

It’s always there to cheer me up.

It’s name…is coffee.

That’s right. Coffee and I are in a relationship. And things have gotten serious. I mean, we practically see each other almost three times a day. If that’s not commitment then I don’t know what is.

All jokes aside, I honestly believe that coffee is the metaphorical drink of love. No one judges the color or shape of the beans it was made from. No one cares what kind of mug you drink it out of. Even latte art – yes, it is a legitimate art form – is appreciated no matter what the design. Coffee is the modern, steadfast, unconditional love that greats like Tupac rapped about.

In my opinion, coffee makes the world go round. It circulates the globe, from South America to Europe, the United States to the Netherlands, and people drink it at various times, in different settings, and with diverse company. You can say, “coffee,” practically anywhere and whoever you’re talking to will know what you’re talking about.

Now, I know that people have some reservations about coffee. Critics argue that coffee causes sleep deprivation, insomnia, and midday crashes. And, well, they’re right.

There is a smart way to drink coffee – don’t drink too much and don’t have it right before bed. Simple. But…not so simple when you’re a college student stu(dying) for a midterm or last-minute writing a five page research paper. In college, and especially here at Berkeley, not drinking coffee just isn’t an option. Like water, it’s sustaining.

For everyone like me who is looking to justify caffeine addiction to their parents, it seems that coffee beans are the new ‘magical beans.’

According to the TIME article, How Coffee Could Save Your Life, the long-term benefits may outweigh the short-term drawbacks of drinking that cup-a-joe. Coffee beans can “ward-off skin cancer and Alzheimer’s, reduce heart failure and diabetes risks, heighten focus, and maybe even protect liver health.” The article also references a study performed by the Harvard School of Public Health, which draws a strong inverse correlation between coffee intake and suicide risk. Drinking coffee makes you happy. And that’s pretty magical.

So, relish in the fact that you now have multiple reasons to validate your relationship with coffee. In the morning before your 8am, after a long day of studying, in-between classes, or to warm up on a cold night, coffee is always an excuse to wake up and get work done, or to unwind, people-watch in that cute cafe, and catch-up with friends.

Order that White Chocolate Mocha at Strada Caffe. Go down to Shattuck and treat yourself to a Philtered Soul at Philz Coffee. Let it be a reminder that, hey, everything will work out. Relax. Let the java smell revitalize and ‘filter your soul’.

Escape life for a while (or finish that paper – you got this.)

 

Image Sources: Tumblr.com, Lana Cosic