I am not a big fan of coffee. In fact, I never drink it. I’ll have an Iced Capuccino or something similar from time to time, but that is it.
I cannot understand people’s obsession with the drink, and how so many businesses have flourished over the years by selling that steaming concoction, which is one of the less politically correct produce in the world.
Politicians and reporters are hooked on the stuff. So, quite often, appointments, interviews and meetings of all sorts are held in coffee shops, and it is as true in Ottawa as it is in Washington, where we were set to meet with the White House Communications Director at the Caribou Coffee at the corner of Pennsylvania and 17th avenue, right across from the White House.
As apparently usually is the case, the place was buzzing with tourists, political staff, and a few reporters too, including a Washington Post journalist with whom we chatted briefly. Not super packed, but constantly busy.
So in a coffee place we were, but fortunately, I was able to get an ice cold drink to fight Washington’s heat and humidity.
I picked the Pom-a-Mango smoothie.
It was quite refreshing, and smooth. I guess that is why they call them smoothies. But the mango was subtle, almost drowned out by the pomegranate and other berries. It was sweet with a hint of sourness, nothing overpowering.
In order to avoid a brain freeze, I slowly drank the 430 calories during our hour-long meeting.
As for the coffee, I don’t know and don’t care. The place didn’t smell too much like burnt coffee, but that’s all I can say.
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