Morning beverages were divided into three. Coffee, Tea and Hot chocolate. Aside these beverages there was nothing more that would characterise and ideal breakfast for us, at least when it came to drinks. And not just that. The three beverages were specific to each member of the family. Coffee for my Dad, two tea spoons of sugar and liquid milk. In the event that liquid milk is not available, a full table spoon of milk was used as a substitute.
Mom’s was Tea. The actual one. It was mostly made from lemon grass gotten from the backyard or flavoured tea in a fancy container gotten from herbs or a specific type of flower. She’d have that with a dollop of honey. Any other thing added, according to her, would reduce or nullify its efficacy. And then there was us, the children, with heaped spoons of Milo or Ovaltine beverage and equally heaped spoons of milk. We had specific mugs as well and as we sat on the dining table, each drinking their own beverage, it felt perfect. The ideal breakfast.
We as kids were restricted to our hot chocolate but on the occasions that we needed detoxification according to Mom, she’d give us steaming hot lemon grass tea or Lipton as a way of cleansing. What we were on no occasion allowed to drink, was coffee. For a long time my parents were strict on their view of coffee and its effects on kids. And since we were very thin and had an aversion to eating then, my parents thoughts were that even a little sip of it would dry us to our bones.
“You don’t even have flesh to carry you around, and you want to take coffee. What will remain?” Lol. I hope non-Africans would understand that this is a typical African parent kind of reprimand so no one really feels bad about these types of things. Anyway, when my Mom would say this, we got the message that coffee was out of bounds. Then the time came when studies started getting more intense. There were competitions, and contests of all forms. We needed something to aid us stay through the night. And no, placing our feet in a bucket of cold water to read had lost its efficacy.
Then came the little compromise. “You can have coffee but only when it’s very necessary and that too, only a cup. Of course, we’ll be the ones making it for you. You know how expensive these things are.” African parents would always add the cost of things so you knew that it was no joking matter. My parents were no exceptions.
We were just about entering secondary school then and we of course saw ourselves as big kids so we tried to allay the fears of our parents that we wouldn’t misuse the opportunity and make them lose their faith in us and thus, we would abide by all their rules as it pertains to coffee. Did I flout that rule and go overboard when I was feeling extra pressured? Yes. And I was caught a few times with repercussions to follow. But I’d had a taste of coffee. And while I wasn’t particularly fond of it because it was bitter and hot chocolate tasted nice, it at least did its job of keeping me awake when I needed to.
There’s another one I no longer see around. It was called Cowbell coffee. It was an insane discovery because this coffee was instant, and was ready-to-make. In the sense that it contained milk, so I didn’t need to add anything and it was ready to drink as far as I had my hot water. It was like the Calvary or something. I binged on nothing else and even though I knew that the taste was not authentic and the type of coffee my Dad drank tasted more like coffee, I felt good with this one.
Although on more serious levels when I needed to study, I didn’t drink it. I remember one time when I had a test the next day. I drank two cups of my beloved Cowbell coffee and began to read. The next thing I remember was waking up by 7am the next morning. So much for coffee, lol. I just knew that the better option was to stick to the regular coffee or grab a can of Nescafé from the store. As I’m an adult now, my family no longer bother with whether or not I drink coffee. But my Mom still regularly sends me videos on WhatsApp stating that coffee has now been deemed cancerous.
I only laugh because almost everything is deemed cancerous as far as African parents’ WhatsApp groups are concerned but I try to line it up by eating good food to supplement for whatever is being “taken away” just so Mom feels better.
Jhymi🖤
All images are mine.
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
African mothers with WhatsApp videos. 😂
Over here, instead, coffee has always been a part of the family. My mother is big on coffee. Left to her, she'd drink it thrice a day. My grandma, tea. We have never thought of coffee to be "cancerous" over here. We just gulp away...
I always look forward to what you'd write, Fangy, but I was reeled in fast with these photos. So sharp, so clean! Muah! 👌🏽
It's like they're all in the same WhatsApp group.😂
From an amazing photographer like yourself, this compliment pleases me to no end. Thank you, Minion. I do hope to keep broadening my photography skills. I hope it's okay to ask for your help at certain points.🌷🌷
I like that there were options, which made everyone feel included. It's strange, yet I get why your mum was into coffee, due to being a caterer, I suppose.
![Come Over For A Chat-17.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/millycf1976/23viCgqrEmH5dDq6Zmi1JJEmSETuoUXRk42cSd2NRSCCCtkJ3TLXvaArNGvbWpo1HFhsD.jpg)
The Nigerian and Jamaican culture sounds similar:)
This was a lovely read;)))
I've also come to understand that there are a lot of similarities in our cultures.
Our parents acting the same and us having a similar kind of upbringing.
I'm glad you enjoyed reading, Milly. I certainly enjoyed writing.🌺
Back then, nobody even took coffee in our house so I didn't get introduced to it early. It was when I finally got to the university I got to understand that there was something called instant coffee.
Past me thought you had to go as far as blending the seeds before you could get a cup of coffee 😭 Can you imagine?😂
Well, I'm glad my own mom hasn't come across those coffee and cancer videos. She's still watching those ones that talk about what one friend did to the other in the university 😭😭😂
Some people still do grind the coffee beans like that. The taste is more authentic to them and there may be some truth to it. But honestly, where's the time for students like us? Lol
My mum is still on that one o. But she knows I won't watch so she'll call me to narrate the entire story.😂😭
I've been a coffee warrior since 2021...
Anything less than the main grilled cocoa beans nescafe gold is chocolate to me😂😂
Na una dey load Whatsapp videos from mum...
31mb video... Abeg abeg😭😭
I don't load it o actually. I know it's going to be yet another thing to stay away from carbonated drinks and all that. Like we get it, Ma. Let's move on.😂😭
😂😂😂
Any food can be cancerous when you misuse it, when I misused coffee I got myself hot but now that am taking it the quantity needed I don't have problem.
And that's amazing for you!
Everything should be done according to what works for your system.✨
Coffee is cancerous now 😅 taking anything excessively has its side effects.
Lol. Yeah, there are side effects to anything taken excessively. But my Mom is of the opinion that it being taken at all gives the cancer.😄
Typical Nigerian mom 😅, I can relate 😅
Lol, I don't know what's with African moms and lemon grass.
While growing up we were also not allowed to take coffee because of the same reason you mentioned and till date I don't take coffee, I just like the smell.
This was a wonderful read🤗
The smell alone makes up for whatever grievances you may have against it. Star worthy indeed. Thank you for reading dear. I hope you have an enjoyable rest of the week.🌺
You too 🤗
I can imagine the many memories that came to your mind when you were writing the post. These moments are unique! Let's continue drinking coffee to continue building beautiful memories with the beings we love most.
Thanks for sharing your coffee experience.☕
Excellent day.
And it was a huge pleasure sharing them as well. Glad you enjoyed reading and do have a wonderful day yourself.🌺
When I used to study late I drank a lot of coffee. Parents always do their best for us. That's what I think and what I've experienced like you.
Unlike me, my mom is a big coffee person, always trying different brands, but her go-to favorite was Cowbell coffee. Cowbell coffee, liquid Peak milk, and two cubes of St Louis sugar - her perfect blend! If milk wasn't available, she'd substitute it with honey. Interestingly, none of her kids shared her love for coffee; we were all about tea - Ovaltine and Peak milk were our jams! Unlike your dad, my dad cared less about coffee. His ideal breakfast? Give him Eba and hot soup. That's a story for another time, though!😂
Good read. Thanks for sharing, Cat.🌹