Eva Wu, G9 吴佳瑞 Coffee is a drink that can make people feel energetic. My mother is a coffee drinker who enjoys all kinds of coffee, and under her influence I have gradually developed a taste for different types as well. I first tried coffee in fourth grade when I was with my mother in a small German town. The shop was called Ludwig’s Stüberl, and I ordered a cappuccino. A cappuccino combines strong espresso with smooth hot milk, topped by a light layer of foam. The sweetness of the milk balances the bitterness of the coffee, and I found the result very pleasant. After trying many coffees, I discovered a favorite shop called KUDDO in my city. Their most recommended drink is the soymilk‑pudding latte. The mellow flavor is remarkable: the creamy scent of the tofu pudding contrasts with the coffee’s bitterness to produce a surprisingly delightful combination. I also like reading about coffee in my spare time. There are many ways to prepare it: common types include mocha, cappuccino, latte, espresso and Americano. Specialty coffee can take many forms, sometimes even combining coffee with fruit pulp to create bright, fruity notes. I enjoy that flavor because the sweetness of the fruit pulp and the coffee’s bitterness together make me feel happy. Coffee beans themselves vary widely. Popular examples include Colombian varieties, Catimor and Kent. Some beans produce more acidic or sour notes when brewed, so choosing good beans is the first step to making a delicious cup. Look for glossy, healthy beans and roast them properly. When grinding, aim for a medium grind size appropriate to your brewing method. Besides brewing drinks, coffee beans can be used in baking. Coffee cake differs from other cakes in that it carries a distinct bitter‑sweet flavor. In some places, people dry coffee beans and string them into bracelets and necklaces; someone wearing a coffee‑bean bracelet lets you catch the fragrance of coffee even from a short distance. I once found a sentence online that I really like: “Enjoy life and a cup of coffee.” | 