For many of us heading to a coffee shop on a weekend morning to indulge our favourite earthy, but fruity drink is one of the biggest pleasures in life. But did you know there are ways that you can enhance the pleasure of your next coffee shop visit even more? Read on to find out what they are.
Discover a new coffee shop
The first suggestion I have for you is to break out of your regular routine and try a new coffee shop in your area. I know, I know you may already have a little place that you are head over heels in love with, but trying new things can be really good for you!
When trying a new coffee place there are several different factors you’ll want to consider first. The first of these is its location. Local is always best where possible, and this also means small independent businesses rather than multi-national coffee conglomerations.
Fair trade practices are also a good thing to look out for as these mean that those producing the beans and other products stocked by the shop will be rewarded fairly for their efforts. Last atmosphere should always factor into your consideration when choosing a new place to try. That means considering the decor and even branding of the shop as well.
Try a new coffee drink
If trying a new shop is a step too far, then how about sampling a different type of coffee than you usually go for? Cold brews is a chilled drink, perfect for the summer, made by brewing single origin coffee in a pour over or batch brew, then bottling it and cooling it in the fridge. They are particularly popular right now in many coffee bars.
Alternatively, you could skip the coffee just this once and sample something different like a fruit cooler or a Thai tea. Then there are all the delicious seasonal drinks that coffee shops offer, with autumn and winter being a particularly delicious time with pumpkin spices, hazelnut, maple, and gingerbread flavours all topped off with some whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa!
Buy a paper
Before we all walked around with the Internet in our pockets, people used to use their weekend coffee time to catch up on current events and enjoy the extensive supplements printed in the weekend newspapers.
I’m all for reviving this habit because sitting in a coffee shop sipping a drink while reading the news and editorials can be a wonderfully relaxing experience. Not only does it help you stay on top of all the latest things happening in politics, economy and culture, but it provides you an excellent excuse to have some quiet, uninterrupted time away. Something that is a rare commodity these days! You can even help improve the experience of the next people who come after you by leaving them your paper when you are done with it.
Get yourself a sweet treat
If you are a health-conscious person then you probably don’t reach for a sweet treat every time you visit the coffee shop. However, occasionally spoiling yourself won’t do any harm, and you’re likely to find many delectable options to choose from such as banana bread or cheesecake.
First of all, biscuits and cookies are very popular treats offered in coffee shops. Although if you want to maximize the chance you will have a positive experience, it’s best to steer clear of the pre-packaged ones and go for ones that have been baked fresh that morning – preferably onsite by a passionate baker.
Scones are also a frequently offered treat in coffee shops and can be served with butter, jam, or cream. The trick to a gone scone is not to overwork it, so be sure to check that they are nice and high while also not being too dense. A perfectly cooked scone will produce a hollow sound when tapped on the underside, which is a good trick to know when choosing too!
Lastly, pastries are also very popular sides to have with coffee and can include croissants, danishes, pan au chocolate, and cinnamon buns. Where possible look for pastries that are warm from being fresh that day, andon’t;t shy away from dipping a croissant in your coffee as this can add a delicious additional layer to your experience.
Enjoy the atmosphere
One of the things I love most about visiting coffee shops is that they all have a unique atmosphere that’s just as much fun to drink as the coffee. In some, this means curling up in a big leather chair with a good book as you sip your java. While in others it means entering into the spirit of things with the selection of board games they supply. Indeed, there is something about playing a board game with friends and loved ones in a coffee shop to pass the time that can be quite magical.
You don’t even have to find a shop that supplies board games specifically to do this either, as you can get a range of fun passes and play games like chess on your laptop or mobile. The best thing is that you’re probably more likely to play well after you have had your first few sips of coffee as all that caffeine should help you be even sharper and more cognitively aware as you play!
Pay it forward
Last of all, if you want to enhance your next coffee shop experience, how about paying it forward? What this means is that when you head up to the till to pay for your drinks and treats, you pay some extra so either the next person in line can get theirs for free, or someone who is needed can get a free beverage and snack.
Of course, you’re likely to get more of an instant positive hit if you choose to give the next people in line their coffees and cakes for free, as they might even turn around and thank you. However, asking for the money to be put away for someone who is really in need of it can prove ultimately more satisfying and helpful in the long run.
