If there is one thing that has always been up for debate, it’s the so-called “proper” way to drink coffee. Black? Iced? With cream? Whole milk? Skim milk? Soy milk? The combinations are endless… literally.
I grew up in Massachusetts, where coffee is huge. A true Masshole can’t live without their daily dose of Dunks’. This New England staple is notorious for being overly sweetened — sometimes you can see a significant amount sugar sitting at the bottom of your cup. And to me, that isn’t the least bit appealing.
But after spending a semester abroad in Melbourne, Australia, a city with a coffee culture that has a life of its own, I learned something important — good coffee isn’t defined by how sweet or how bitter it is; it’s defined by how the drinker likes it.
I also learned that how a person takes their coffee says a lot about who they are:
Black: The Ambitious Overachiever
Photo by Victoria Romulo
I usually got this answer from my friends who stay up into the late hours of the night (or early hours of the morning) doing the insane amount of work they have. Usually only the most hardcore coffee drinkers drink this, so be prepared for ultimate bitterness.
With Cream: The People Pleaser
Photo by Victoria Romulo
People who prefer cream with their coffee are usually sweethearts who live to make everyone happy. Just like how you can adjust the cream to coffee ratio according to your preference, these people can adjust their attitudes to please whichever people they’re hanging out with.
Iced: Strong Nor’easter
Photo by Victoria Romulo
This is a Massachusetts’ native’s go-to. It’s perfect for those hot summer days, though true New Englanders drink these throughout the freezing winters too. It’s the ideal drink when you need to cool down and get a caffeine kick at the same time.
With Honey: The Health Freak
Photo by Victoria Romulo
Health-conscious people aren’t fans of cream and sugar. Instead, they go for honey, which is vegan and can give you a boost of energy. It creates a low-key sweetness that doesn’t overpower coffee like sugar sometimes does, but instead brings out the coffee’s own richness.
With Maple Syrup: True Vermont Native
Photo by Victoria Romulo
Vermonters are obsessed with maple syrup, so it’s no surprise that they’ll put it in coffee too. Not only does it add much-needed sweetness to the coffee, it infuses the entire drink with a maple flavor, giving your coffee a whole new twist.
Here are even more ways to fuel your caffeine addiction: