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We all have an idea of what a gentleman embodies, including his choice of drinks. Martinis, Cognacs, Vespers, and Manhattans are necessary drinks in a gent’s beverage repertoire. How about coffee?
While you may not think of coffee like a true gentleman’s preferred drink, you can still enjoy this caffeinated concoction in a way that even James Bond will blush at your refinement. Here is how you can drink coffee like a true gentleman.
Know Your Coffee
Just as James Bond knows the whiff of a premium-quality Vesper Martini from a mile away, the true coffee-loving gentleman knows his coffee better than anyone else.
You must learn the different coffee beans and their varieties, including their individual flavor and aroma profiles. This knowledge will give you an edge over other coffee drinkers because you can distinguish a good cup from a mediocre one.
For example, Latin American coffee beans have a distinct chocolatey richness, caramel sweetness, and nutty goodness to every cup. On the other hand, African varieties are more floral and fruity with a hint of natural sweetness. Asian coffee beans are earthy with strong notes of dark chocolates and an almost herbal mouthfeel.
Roast and coffee ground levels are also essential for any true gentleman to master. For example, light roasts have powerful caffeine and acidic flavor, while dark roasts have a fuller body and a richer and sweeter flavor. Medium roasts provide you with a good balance between strong caffeine flavors and coffee richness.
Understand the True Meaning of an Espresso
We all hear people talk about drinking the best espresso in their lives. Unfortunately, do they know what an authentic espresso means?
A gentleman knows what he wants. He can differentiate a true espresso from a wannabe by looking at the water volume and the distinct crema on top. The cream gives the espresso a rich, dark golden film on the surface, indicating high quality.
Making espresso requires very precise measurements. The espresso machine should exert 142 pounds per square inch of pressure to seven grams of coffee to produce excellent-quality espresso. It should also pressure extract the coffee in 25 seconds. You can also use a good latte machine instead of an espresso maker if you want.
Drinking espresso is another matter. Like a gentleman filling his senses with the aromas of his favorite wine, you can do the same with a good espresso. You will also need to breathe in the rich and flavorful aroma of your freshly-expressed espresso before you drink.
Your drink should never taste bitter. It should not also make you anxious. If it does, you may have two to three times the caffeine content in your espresso. Remember, a true gentleman never accepts anything other than the ideal.
While we do not mean it negatively, being snobbish underscores your highly refined coffee palate. You can distinguish a good quality cup of Joe over one prepared haphazardly by a novice barista. A true gentleman never settles for less.
Black and Strong, Please
A true gentleman always likes his coffee black and strong. As such, no Americanos and milk-based coffee drinks.
This philosophy has its roots in male psychology, preferring simpler and more straightforward choices than complicated ones. Most men love a strong coffee flavor without necessarily upsetting their stomachs or making them jittery.
Our brain interprets black as the color of power, elegance, and mystery. It offers an air of sophistication and exemplifies drive and ambition. These traits are what defines a true gentleman, making black coffee his preferred beverage.
Always Brewed
True gentlemen always appreciate things done the old-fashioned way, such as coffee prepared from scratch. If you want to drink coffee like a true gentleman, you should never accept instant coffee, no matter how convenient it can be.
Brewing gives you precision control over the different coffee characteristics. You can choose your preferred coffee beans, roast them to the desired level of doneness, and grind them to perfection. DIY coffee brewers are the best, although a high-end super-automatic espresso maker can also give you flavor and aroma characteristics that you love.
Make Your Cup
It may sound counterintuitive, given a gentleman’s hectic schedule. However, there is more to brewing your cup of coffee than convenience.
Making your own Joe lets you enjoy your drink at its ideal temperature. You should know that coffee flavors diminish with temperature reduction. The time a barista prepares your coffee until you lift it from the saucer can take several minutes. You may no longer appreciate your drink’s many fine qualities because its temperature is already less than ideal.
So, skip the line and be the gentleman that you are. Flex your muscles and start brewing your coffee from scratch.
Drink Fast
Three to four quick gulps are all it takes to down a shot of espresso. This beverage is not a wine that you get to enjoy in a glass with ice cubes. Its flavors and aromas diminish as its temperature drops.
True gentlemen know that the best way to appreciate coffee is not over long afternoon chats. You can have a beer for that or a bottle of wine. The more you wait to drink your coffee, the more flavors and aromas you lose. It will be a less than fascinating coffee drinking experience.
It is important to recognize that drinking coffee this way is not a show. For the true gentleman, it is the refined way of life.
Frequently and Regularly
Real men start their day with a strong cup of coffee, complete with bold flavors and rich aromas. They also end their tiring day with a strong cup of Joe and a few more cups in between. Break times are never complete without a fresh brew. Meeting business associates is always more meaningful with a good cup of Joe.
Coffee is a real man’s best excuse for taking a break from his taxing work. It is also an exceptional justification for recharging one’s senses, allowing you to see yourself through the day.
The Bottom Line
Learning how to drink coffee like a true gentleman requires knowing the coffee type you want, including its coffee beans, roast level, and optimum extraction process. A true gentleman always drinks freshly-brewed coffee as often and regularly as possible. Black and strong coffee is always a must for any real man.
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This content is brought to you by Charles Vallena.
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