Original post 10-18-2019, updated 10-13-2025
“Never trust anyone who doesn’t drink coffee.” – AJ Lee
I don’t remember life without coffee. Just like as a child I do not remember life without mom and dad. I grew up during the generation when the divorce rate in America began to rise. I was a member of the minority in my circle; my parents were still married. They remained that way for fifty seven years, until I lost my dad earlier this year just a few days before their 57th wedding anniversary. What I wouldn’t do to share another cup of coffee with him. One black for me and one with a half teaspoon of brown sugar for him.
My dad loved to enjoy his cup of coffee in a fancy little cup and saucer, one of which I keep today in my cupboard and, on occasion, I enjoy a double shot of espresso in it to honor him. That cup and saucer is very much like the one I recall from my first cup of coffee. It's probably from the same China set. It might not have been my first cup but it is my first memory and a fond one at that. I felt so special and just like a big boy. I am the baby of the family so that was a big deal.
The memory is of my grandma giving me coffee after dinner in a small, fancy cup and saucer. The reality is that it was more milk than coffee, but it was special and made me feel as such, nonetheless. As the youngest, it was easy to get lost and feel like an outsider looking in. There is a five year gap between me and my closest cousin and seven between me and my closest sibling. All my relatives closest in age to me either did not live nearby or we just didn’t get together as much so I was on my own a lot. The coffee made me feel a part of something.
As I grew, so did my love for coffee. I later discovered as I ventured into the coffee world that what grandma served me was actually a Spanish drink; a Café Manchado which is milk flavored with coffee. Who woulda thunk?
Whether that cup started it or not, the memory is strong as are so many I hold dear to my heart that involved moments I shared with friends and family over a cup of coffee or two. The coffee connection is something special and continues to grow in me. Coffee has been a huge part of my life beyond an energizing wake up ritual to fuel me for the day ahead. It has been the common denominator of so many gatherings, large and small, that have been woven into the tapestry of my story. It has also fueled my brain for late night card games, events, and innovation sessions during the early phases of all my entrepreneurial escapades.
When I originally wrote this my wife and I had just bought a restaurant to help us take our coffee business beyond a side hustle. We were in the process of winding down our main business, Go-Go Babyz Corp, and were ready for the “next thing” and dove back into our passion.
We created a space for connections to be made over a cup of coffee and a slice of pie. After six years of growing, creating food, and serving our ColdFire coffee & hot sauces to our happy community, we have sold the restaurant to once again focus on the core of our passion.
I will be continuing to create the core coffee and hot sauce products that started it all 15 years ago while introducing some new items that were created during my time as a restaurateur. I hope you enjoy my stories and love for food, coffee, music, and all things spicy that I share on this blog. I will also share some great, simple recipes that have been inspired by time spent with my family and friends over good food, good coffee, and most of the time, good music.
Talk Soon,
Kevin
@coldfire_kev
@coldfire.coffee
@coldfire_hotsauce
kevin@coldfirecoffee.com
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