Unlike China, their culture predominantly focuses towards tea with history that goes way back, but even then for the past decade, the effects of globalizations has seen giant coffee chain such as Starbucks to set its footnote on the land of the chinese. The response from the Chinese were overwhelming, now it seems they treat Starbucks as their "ideal" coffee place.
Augustdiners had a rather funny experience during the last trip to China, whereby a local chinese brought us around town and exclaim to us that she'll bring us to the best coffee place with a nice atmosphere. When ask what's the name of the coffee place, she had difficulty pronouncing the names and told us instead we will find out upon our arrival.
That being said, it definitely perked our curiosity and imagine our expression when STARBUCKS loomed in front of us.
We really tried hard not to LOL to refrain from being too rude... but LOL!!! Like.. seriously?
p.s. dont get me wrong, i do enjoy my starbuck fix but im not too sure about it being the best...
Malaysia on the other hand has more exposure to coffee and it reflects our cultural characteristic mix of Malaysia.
I'm pretty sure Malaysians are familiar with Kopitiam aka Coffee Shops. Coffee in the basic form are called "Kopi-O, Kopi-See, Kopi Kao, Cham etc..." Our typical breakfast can start off with some basic toast with half-boiled egg and a cuppa coffee while engaging our attention to the newspaper.
While those traditions are still going strong (with prove of modernized kopitiam like oldtown and pappa rich which seems to have conquer the nation), i'm more incline with the western coffee culture. Give me a latte or cappuccino over a kopi-o any other day. *embrace wicked criticism* i know i know, i admit i'm not much of a country lover and is perfectly fine with contributing half my income to the foreign economy...
So how do i differentiate a good coffee? I'm no expert so whatever i'm saying next is just base on my own preference and opinion.
Really it's quite simple and it involves 3 of our main senses. SIGHT, SMELL, TASTE.
And often it goes it that sequence
Imagine a perfectly smooth looking foam spread over the coffee mug like an artform. Milk substance creating abstract leaflike shape. And Ode JOY~ of receiving LOVE every single morning. Coffee Art has always been popular in Australia, but scarcely seen in Malaysia.
After being delighted by the visuals, came the aroma. The scent of freshly brewed coffee awakes all senses. The body, the flavours taunting, and calling my name... ohhh the tease!!
