Coffees are like humans — they react differently under varying conditions, and with time, they evolve. Just like us, coffee has moods, stories, and moments of brilliance. Understanding your coffee is a journey, not a destination. That’s why I always tell beginners: brew to enjoy, not to judge.

If you’re learning through YouTubers, vloggers, or coffee aficionados, that’s a great starting point, but don’t forget to look deeper. What are they brewing? What methods and tools are they using? The origin of the bean, the roast profile, the brewing method, and even the water,  all these change the outcome. There’s no one right way to do coffee; there’s only your way of falling in love with it.

That said, I’ve noticed a common mistake: many people blindly follow influencers and then walk into a neighbourhood café expecting the same experience. They try to impose those expectations on a barista who’s working with a completely different setup, style, and community.

It doesn’t work that way. Whether it’s a commercial café or a speciality one, each place curates its coffee to cater to its own audience. One of the most underrated and often ignored aspects of coffee is its price — and the value that price carries. From sourcing ethical beans to roasting in small batches, training baristas, or using premium equipment, everything adds up.

So next time you’re sipping a cup, pause for a moment. Appreciate the story behind it, the craft in it, and the people who made it for you. Because coffee isn’t just a beverage — it’s a shared experience shaped by hands, hearts, and a whole lot of intention.”