Instant Coffee

I have never been a food snob. In my ancient commune days, I successfully resisted diets of buckwheat groats and miso. Having grown our food as a child, I don’t believe in the fantastic flavor of heritage vegetables. I don’t subscribe to organic gardening because I’ve seen what bugs can do to a crop. And I tend to think antibiotics in things like beef are probably good for me

Part of it, I suppose, is my upbringing. Referring to the title, my parents were both world war II veterans. They made “navy coffee” which was a percolated tar kept boiling all week. That remains my reference .

A good deal of it is genetics and age. I’ve never had a remarkable sense of smell or taste, and even that has deteriorated over time. Bitter black coffee is fine because at least I notice a hint of flavor there .

I admit that over time I’ve gone for convenience. I really like the “instant” aspect of instant coffee. No matter what, the fact that I can get caffeine magically in a minute or so at home in a microwave is one of the great miracles of science .

Of course, it’s largely habit. I suppose in this new world I’d be sipping energy drinks, although maybe not because I’ve always hated sugar or sweeteners. Once in a while cream, but I prefer simplicity – coffee as coffee, milk as milk .

I know that’s a dying culture, mostly kept alive by us elders. I just hope it continues for longer than I do .