Monday, March 10, 2008

Steaming Hot or Over Ice?

For our final week of Fire & Ice, we’re exploring Buzz, which has the pretty broad parameters “anything pop culture.”

And since I spend waaay too much time visiting my local Starbucks, Coffee Bean and Swork, coffee and tea drinks ARE a part of my pop culture. I thought I’d take this opportunity to pose the question here that runs through my head several times a week:

steaming hot or over ice?


It’s not always the weather that makes the decision for me, as my state of mind.

Over ice tends to be more on-the-go, getting things done.


Hot is more about slowing down and finding comfort.


But for me, the ultimate mood equalizer is the Iced Blended. Open up that blender, start chucking in the lactose, the caffeine and the calories, and I’m a goner.


How about you? Does temperature make a difference in your favorite coffee and tea drinks?

Tina

Tina Ferraro
How to Hook a Hottie - Spring 2008 Children’s Book Sense Pick
Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress - Finalist, 2008 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence
The ABC’s of Kissing Boys, Spring, 2009
www.tinaferraro.com

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Tina,
Sometimes if it's really hot, like over 100 degrees, I'll get a simple iced coffee. But usually I love my extra hot soy lattes, no matter what's going on with Mrs. Weather.

Janie

Me said...

One of my flavorite-- er, favorite topics! Because I do most of my writing I.S. (Inside Starbucks) most of my coffee consumption occurs I.S. Which means I usually make my coffee choice based on the Starbucks internal temp.

If it's cold I'll have a latte (sometimes soy chai, sometimes caramel).

If it's hot I'll have an iced toffee nut coffee (conserves both cash and calories).

If I'm feeling in need of indulgence, it's a no whip caramel frappuccino.

However, if we had Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf here (love!!!) I would get a white chocolate dream ice blended every day.

Kim Lenox said...

Before noon I prefer hot! I tend to shun Starbucks for a local coffee house, if possible, but they'll do in a spot. My recent "splurge" (from the local place) is called the Grasshopper, and it's a minty chocolate coffee w/espresso. I ask for sugar free if I don't have an ongoing headache.

All in all, if it's hot, and called "coffee" I want it.

I might get a frozen or iced coffee if it's the afternoon.

stephhale said...

I am positive that I am the only person in the world who doesn't drink coffee. Hot or cold. I'm so uncool! :)

Anonymous said...

i also dont drink coffee. its too bitter i think. Starbucks recently opened here in the netherlands on the airport in the shopping area..and i am already addicted to the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino..delicous!
Also i am a big tea drinker. Since i was a child, i drink my tea with milk. Mostly i use fruit tea blends. Orange, Peach and Southern Fruits are my favorites.

TinaFerraro said...

Janie, if I remember correctly, that's a non-fat latte you drink, huh, Miss Skinny Minnie? :)

Thanks, TLC, and yes, we have Coffee Bean here, too, and my drink of choice there is a cappuccino!

Kim, a grasshopper sounds delish!

Steph and Marlayne, my daughter joins your ranks...doesn't go for coffee, but loves those Vanilla Bean Fraps!

Anonymous said...

Most of the time I get it hot becuz I'm always trying to warm up.

Marley Gibson said...

Another non coffee drinker here. Always wished it tasted as good as it smelled. I do love hot chai lattes, a Bigelow or Twinings English Breakfast and cold iced tea.

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty much a regular latte kinda girl but really look forward to having my first gingerbread latte of the season at Starbuck's. I also come from a very devoted tea-drinking family. When anyone travels, we bring home large amounts of tea for everyone and anytime we're together, we have tea parties complete with scones and other treats. My aunt has great teapots and the most coveted hodgepodge of beautiful teacups and a lovely creamer set from Ireland. My sisters and I are building our tea party hosting booty as time goes on.

TinaFerraro said...

So hot it is for you, Celise!

Marley, I hear wish-coffee-tasted-as-good-as-it-smelled from a lot of people...I don't know, maybe it's an acquired taste?

And Sarah, thanks for sharing about your family traditions. I love tea parties and going to tea houses...in fact, a friend and I are trying out a new tea house this week!

Gerb said...

Another non-coffee drinker here, though I will admit to needing a Diet Coke in the morning! Iced, thank you.

Dona Sarkar-Mishra said...

I'm always freezing...PLUS I drink coffee as if Starbucks will go out of business if I don't...so I am a regular white chocolate mocha girl myself...summer or winter!

TinaFerraro said...

Gerb, if you'd said you preferred your Diet Coke warm, I'd worry about you. :)

Dona, I had my first white chocolate mocha recently and loved it!

Heather Davis said...

Oooh, I love coffee! My fave is a hot latte with just a touch of cinnamon on top. My summer fave is this espresso float that a (now-out-of-biz) coffee shop used to make when I was in HS. Yumm.

TinaFerraro said...

Heather, I agree, cinammon in a latte is the best! Thanks for weighing in...

danetteb said...

Hi Tina,
I depends on the morning weather. If its cool,I love my drink hot(Caramel Machiato or White Chocolate Mocha w/ Extra Whip) If the morning is warm, Caramel/Toffee Nut Frapaccino please.

Hugs, Danette

Wendy Toliver said...

If I'm freezing, I'll go with a hot herbal or chai tea, perhaps a skinny vanilla latte. Otherwise, I'm usually into the cold varieties of beverages.

Man, those photos are giving me a Starbucks craving! Good thing I'm speaking for a writers' group at a coffee house tonight. :)

Simone Elkeles said...

cold, blended for me. I'm not a hot drinker, by nature. Unless I'm sick and need hot tea.