Coffee Stories
My coffee journey: From Keurig to French press
This morning, as I made my coffee, I realized I’ve never told the story of how I got here – my coffee journey from convenience to intention, from K-Cups to fresh-ground beans.
It started with a Keurig. For years, that was my morning ritual – pop in a K-Cup, press a button, done. When I refreshed my Indiana kitchen, I upgraded to the big Keurig with the extra carafe. I can’t say that my cup of coffee tasted any better in the bigger appliance and I never used the extra carafe. But, it looked beautiful on my coffee station, all sleek and modern.
But then life shifted.
When I became editor of the Peru Tribune in Peru, Indiana – over an hour drive from my home in Muncie – I stayed overnight several times a week to cover meetings and events. And let me tell you: hotel coffee can absolutely ruin a morning.
For Mother’s Day, my kids gave me a smaller travel Keurig. I loved it – not just for the appliance itself, but for the sentiment. They knew me. They knew my mornings mattered. And the color? Turquoise. Caribbean blue. I would pack my “travel Keurig” along with my overnight bag. I made a travel bag of coffee essentials, too. When I unpacked for the next few days, I was connected to home and family. It made me a better writer during those days of transition.
That color came from a cruise years ago when I saw the water off a Cayman Island beach – a blue unlike anything I’d ever seen. So when I moved to Florida and began creating my perfect island home, I chose two accent colors for my kitchen: orange and Caribbean blue. That turquoise Keurig? It fit perfectly into my feng shui vision.
But the real transformation happened at my job with the Fernandina Beach News-Leader.
The job was beautiful and hellacious all at once – a small staff of 12 people who simply didn’t get along. The front office gals were territorial about the tiny kitchen, so I needed a solution for my newsroom. (Well, just for me – the newsroom didn’t drink coffee during the day.)
One Christmas, one of my amazing reporters gave me a French press.
I did my Google research, tried it, and couldn’t believe the flavor difference. It was convenient, simple, and the coffee tasted… real. If I’d known about French presses earlier in my life, I probably wouldn’t have my beloved turquoise Keurig!
I’ve watched countless YouTube videos on French press techniques – and just like coffee itself, everyone has their own special way of experiencing the process. But I do agree on this: quality beans and the right water temperature are key.
November 2024, I visited my son in Hawaii. He didn’t have a coffee setup (he’s very minimal in his kitchen and doesn’t drink coffee), so I bought a French press for my stay. I bought a bag of Hawaiian coffee, a very tourist-y coffee mug, a pint of heavy whipping cream and experienced my morning coffee on my son’s condo balcony that overlooked Pearl Harbor. It was an adventure of a lifetime.
When I find coffee beans worth my time, I grind them myself and use the French press to experience the full flavor. The tourist-y mug that reminds me of my son? There is zero scientific proof, but I would swear on my precious Bible it makes my coffee taste even better : )
It’s not about perfection. It’s not even about having the most expensive equipment.
It’s about the journey – from convenience to intention. From rushing through mornings to savoring them. From K-cups to fresh-ground beans, one careful press at a time.
And that turquoise Keurig? Still sitting on my counter, right next to the French press. A reminder of where I’ve been, who gave me that gift, and how mornings evolve when we pay attention.
What’s your coffee journey been like? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear how you found your morning ritual. ☕
Tracy
My word stack for today:
Coffee + Journey
coffee, [cof-fee] noun, Origin: Arabic, “qahwah,” The sacred pause before chaos begins, held warm in both hands while dreams wake gently beside you.
journey, [spot] noun, Origin: Old French, “journee,” To travel through experiences with purpose and presence that transforms along the way.
These mugs are part of our Coffee Stories collection – word stacks inspired by my personal journey shared in these posts. Each memoir piece becomes a stackable memory you can hold in your hands. Start your own collection and create combinations that speak to your journey.”
Shop My Coffee Journey:
The tools that transformed my morning ritual:
☕ French Press – [IKEA link] – The one my reporter gave me, approx. 4 cups.
☕ Coffee Press – [Amazon link] – Larger, 8 cup coffee press purchased for my son’s kitchen in Hawaii.
🌺 Hawaiian Coffee – [Amazon link] – Brings back Pearl Harbor and Hawaiian rainbow memories.
🔌 Coffee Warmer – [Amazon link] – Because I’m a slow sipper.
🎯 Turquoise Keurig – [Amazon link] – My turquoise companion (or similar).
⚙️ Coffee Grinder – [Walmart link] – For when I find beans worth my time.
Some links are Amazon affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. I only share products I actually use and love!
