How do developers "play" with coffee?

The Problem

Hello, it's been a while since I last shared my experience with coffee. In today's post, I would like to share my perspective on how coffee fits into the lives of developers.

Being a developer - a job that is often "pressure-filled" and can leave us feeling exhausted. Day after day, week after week, diligently typing away on the keyboard, eyes glued to the computer screen, hoping to write code that will change the world. Yet, the change is nowhere to be seen, but the expanding waistlines and tired eyes are clearly evident.

To reduce stress and improve our mental well-being, we need to find a hobby for ourselves, and the most important thing is to find one that can be easily maintained on a daily basis. Some people turn to sports, while others play video games... These joys serve as spiritual nourishment to help developers overcome stress. I'm not athletically inclined, so I occasionally go for walks or runs to get some physical activity. Speaking about my spiritual nourishment, there are two things - coffee and reading books.

Coffee, a beverage that is both familiar and strange. Familiar because everyone knows it, but strange because my coffee "play" hobby is slightly different from those around me. I invest more time in coffee than actually consuming it. I have a collection of manual tools to prepare different types of coffee using various brewing methods.

Coffee Culture in Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the leading countries in coffee exports to the international market. Robusta beans are the main type of coffee, with the resulting products being mainly Vietnamese-style coffee - like "ca phe sua da" (iced coffee with condensed milk) or "bac xiu" (coffee with a dash of milk). These coffee drinks are addictive, especially with the addition of the sweetness of condensed milk, which captivates many people.

The coffee culture in Vietnam is evident in the gatherings between people. If there is a special event or meeting a long-lost friend, we usually invite each other to "go for coffee" and have a heartfelt conversation or get work done. It's not by chance that coffee helps us stay alert in those situations, gradually forming a habit of thinking about "going for coffee" whenever we want to meet someone. Many coffee shops are built with creative spaces that encourage communication and work discussions.

Coffee preferences vary among individuals and different regions in Vietnam. Some people like bitter coffee, others prefer slightly acidic coffee, while some enjoy a hint of sweetness from sugar or milk. If you're not a coffee enthusiast, you're lucky to be able to enjoy such a diverse range of flavors.

As for me, I used to only occasionally drink instant coffee. If I wanted to "go for coffee," my top priority was a glass of fruit juice or a smoothie, definitely not coffee. But as I started working and needed to stay alert and focused, I consumed more instant coffee, and at that time, I really liked G7 coffee. After a while, I switched to Vietnamese-style coffee because I got tired of drinking instant coffee. Vietnamese-style coffee with a touch of condensed milk became my favorite. Time passed, and I thought my coffee journey would end here, but I was mistaken.

No matter how much you enjoy a certain coffee, you will eventually get bored. I became more curious about coffee. I searched online and read many articles about coffee, its benefits, and drawbacks, as well as coffee culture in different countries around the world. It helped me realize that coffee culture is truly immense, and its heritage is vast.

To describe its greatness, I can put it succinctly like this. It may just be coffee beans, but there are hundreds of different flavors that not everyone has the opportunity to experience fully. Regarding coffee brewing methods, each country has its own variety of methods, and the flavors of each method are noticeably different. Knowing this, I became curious and wanted to find a way to taste them.

I started playing with coffee using manual tools like a hand grinder, a manual coffee maker, and brewing accessories. With this play style, you need to invest more time and effort to create a delicious cup of coffee. Imagine, if you want to drink an instant coffee, you only need two steps - boil water, pour it in, and stir, then you can enjoy it. But with manual brewing, everything is much more complex. From selecting coffee beans, choosing a brewing method, adjusting the grind size, grinding the coffee, and putting it into the brewing device, applying my experience to interact with the device to achieve a perfect result. Not to mention the cleaning up afterwards. However, in return, I learned perseverance, patience, and the satisfaction of enjoying a delicious cup of coffee that was created with my own effort.

The Diversity of Brewing Methods

As I mentioned earlier, there are many methods to brew coffee, depending on the coffee culture of each country around the world. If we add them all up, there are many, and what's special is that each method produces a different flavor.

However, the development of coffee preferences in each region depends on local culture. For example, in Vietnam, many people like black coffee with condensed milk or "bac siu" with a delightful smell of fresh milk. These drinks suit the taste of the majority of Vietnamese people, so they are widely available and popular.

On the other hand, there are always a group of people who enjoy original coffee from around the world, such as Espresso, Americano, and Filter V60. These types of coffee have distinctive flavors from imported coffee beans, so they cater to more selective drinkers (foreign brands are always expensive :D). However, being selective doesn't mean these coffees are not delicious. In fact, their flavors are delightful if you are willing to appreciate them on your first try.

As an example, the first time I tried Espresso, I exclaimed, "How can it be so bitter, sour, and strong?" I thought I wouldn't be able to drink it again. Of course, I was wrong. Now, I've had it countless times. As I write this, I'm looking forward to enjoying another cup of coffee tomorrow, I'm thrilled.

I'm not a professional coffee connoisseur, but I'm eager to learn about different types of coffee and how to appreciate them. The result is clear; after many experiments, I enjoy coffee every day without being addicted.

Currently, I have a cup of Filter coffee in the morning and an Espresso or Latte in the afternoon. Enjoying such delicious cups of coffee is like having a spiritual food that I can't live without in my daily life. It helps me feel more relaxed and enhances my ability to focus throughout the day.

Benefits of Coffee

Several studies have shown the many benefits of drinking 1-2 cups of coffee per day, especially pure coffee. I can list a few benefits that I personally enjoy when "playing" with coffee:

• First of all, it keeps me alert. A cup of Filter coffee in the morning and an Espresso in the afternoon help me quickly regain my spirit and concentration at work. In the past, when I was new to coffee, I would get a bit dizzy, but now, coffee has to make me dizzy.
• Secondly, it offers health benefits. Obviously, I know this from research. Moreover, the coffee-drinking community worldwide is significant, which partially proves its trustworthiness. Coffee provides many health benefits, such as its antioxidant properties, cancer prevention, reducing the risk of diabetes, and increasing lifespan.
• Thirdly, it brings passion, expands knowledge, and connects communities. "Playing" with coffee means you have to learn more about coffee-related knowledge, which leads to discovering many fascinating things. The community of "coffee players" has its own unique atmosphere; they can communicate with each other using the "language of coffee." This helps establish relationships more easily.
• Finally, it sparks inspiration for other things. Have you ever realized that every coffee flavor has the power to influence your mood? If you're happy, a mild flavored coffee is suitable, while when you're feeling down, a strong-bodied coffee might help you become more alert and less troubled.

Conclusion

"Playing" with coffee is one of the hobbies of many people, including developers in general and myself in particular. Just with coffee beans, there are a wide variety of flavors, not to mention the brewing methods and techniques, which are extensive. Each method produces different flavors suitable for specific circumstances. Coffee brings many health benefits as well as spiritual satisfaction. For me, "playing" with coffee is a way to overcome long, exhausting days and to find inspiration for myself.