Wise Words From a Barista

Perhaps the best source for coffee’s grandeur is someone who spends hours everyday brewing cup after cup. Meridith Lucius, a barista at Bailiwicks in Tiffin, OH, graciously agreed to allow me to interview her discussing the perks of her job: the crazy customers, the typical environment, and (you guessed it) the coffee.

Meridith’s daily duties as a barista include just what you’d expect. She talks to customers about their coffee orders, has the pleasure of making the delicious drinks, and gets to spend time with fellow “addicts”, as she calls herself, of coffee.

Meridith considers herself and her fellow baristas as “therapists to the customers.” They make the highly specific drinks for the patrons who are actively craving the smallest drop of caffeine. Once the hot, iced, blended, whatever the choice of coffee may be, is delivered, the recipient can finally take his or her stroll into heaven.

As someone who finds herself at Bailiwicks frequently, the smell (as I can attest to from personal experience) is intoxicating. While some people may not love the burnt smell of coffee grounds, all coffee lovers can agree the aroma is pure ecstasy. Behind the counter, Meridith describes the smell as sugary and sweet, the combination of the syrups with the hot coffee blending into the perfect scent. I don’t know about you, but the sensation of the bold, candied, glorified blast hitting my face as I walk into Bailiwicks is causing me to sweat in anticipation.

I admire baristas like Meridith who get to spend so much time with coffee surrounding their souls. I especially envy one of the last comments she made: “I smell like coffee 24/7 so that’s a plus.” Why don’t you rub it in my face even more, Meridith? It's these stories and experiences that let me live vicariously through fortunate people who are surrounded with the drink I consider to be perfection. Making coffee is a craft, and if my career developed into nothing more than a barista, I would be the most radiant boy on earth.

Nicaraguan Coffee: Not What You'd Expect

Sitting in class, taking a sip from my coffee thermos, and my professor asks me, “Would you like to purchase some coffee from Nicaragua?” My head shoots in her direction at the mention of the word coffee. But the specialty of that last bit of information… from Nicaragua… that’s new. Exciting. I’ve never had the pleasure of drinking coffee from another country before, let alone fresh ground coffee from Nicaragua. As soon as I processed the question, I eagerly questioned my professor, “Who do I contact?”

A group of students from my university traveled to Nicaragua over spring break, and to my blessing they conducted a fundraiser that featured Nicaraguan coffee the students would bring back on their return. Participating in the fundraiser was the easiest decision I could make.

Upon the time I received my glorious package of coffee grounds, my eyes filled with golden delight. I snatched the package and ran off so I could go produce a cup instantaneously. The only thing on my mind was brewing a pot of the perfection in my hands soon to be translated into the hot dark liquid consumed by myself, and only myself. I didn’t spend my money on this unique delicacy only to share it with others. Who do you think I am?

Now for the Nicaraguan coffee. It was a cup of truly authentic indulgence. I first tried it black, whereupon the simplicity of the blend was more than satisfying. I was expecting a bold, dark flavor but instead received a fresh blast of a medium roast. The coffee was standard in its roast, not too light but by no means dark. My specialty coffee turned into your classic cup of joe.

Is this a letdown? Absolutely not. I can always go for a classic cup of coffee, embracing my taste buds with its natural flavor. The medium roast of the blend allows creamer to be added in consideration. With the right amount, the taste of the creamer flourishes with the forethought of coffee still on the tip of your tongue. The fresh coffee distinguishable in its medium flavor allows picky coffee drinkers to do as they please with their drink with ease. Milk, sugar, whatever you like… the natural blend of coffee from Nicaragua allows you to painlessly interpret the beverage how you wish.

I highly recommend this wonderful blend of coffee. There’s nothing like an authentic concoction of coffee packaged and produced in Jinotega, Nicaragua. How are you going to get your hands on a package? Don’t ask me. I’m not sharing.