Zack Miklos
As the sweltering summer temperatures finally dwindle to tolerable levels, many steamy new beverage return to coffee shops. Whether you prefer the classic pumpkin-spiced latte, like mixing things up with a chili mocha, or have a taste for something simpler, the level of excitement for these caffeinated concoctions always seem to escalate during the autumn months.
After conducting some research at my nearest Starbucks and my 8:30 a.m. accounting class, I have collected a few points that can help explain this phenomenon.
First and foremost, students like drinking coffee because it brings them to a warm, cozy space.
While the summer heat keeps many people huddled around air conditioning units and box fans, the fall typically compels people to seek out soft blankets and their favorite cup of coffee. The feelings and emotions manifested in light, catchy acoustic music and toasty wood fireplaces get bundled into the descriptions of this coffee wonderland.
Deeply rooted memories of comfort, relaxation and peace contribute to the drinking experience and leave you wanting more.
Students are also fond of the bitter, nutty taste and earthy aroma coffee offers. I find the flavor profile of an unflavored bean is relatively autumn-inspired. While it can surely be consumed any time of the year, I like to think fall is its most assessable, adaptable, and accepted season. Its complementarity with traditional fall flavors such as hazelnut, nutmeg, cinnamon and pumpkin exemplify this notion. Between the warming memories and fall flavors, coffee can really make your day.
A third and final reason students enjoy drinking coffee is because it has the perfect amount of caffeine. As the hours of daylight continue to decrease, some people may find that it becomes increasingly difficult to stay awake and focused. Coffee can provide a necessary jolt that keeps you focused for much longer. This is particularly relevant at this time of the year. As classwork begins to pick up and students are required to devote more time to their studies, so does the need for coffee. It is a great stimulus for late night cramming.
I find it pretty clear coffee is simply better in the fall. There are a lot of contributing factors that diverge at this point in the year. It reminds me of cozy spaces and acoustic music and it tastes and smells like typical, delicious autumn flavors. It gives me that extra kick of caffeine that motivates me and makes me more productive. What more can someone ask for? I urge you to perform your own research, whether it be at your next class or an actual café, and confirm the relationship between this common drink and an ordinary season. Think about it over a nice cup of coffee. I highly recommend it.
