When I newly became a coffee fanatic, I always opted for instant coffee because I needed something quick and easy to whip up.
If you don’t already know, this was some years ago when I was still in the university and found myself wanting a speedy fix of caffeine to power me through nights of reading.
I’d go to the nearest convenience shop to buy one or two sachets of the Nescafe instant black coffee powder. They used to go for 50 Naira (0.031 US dollars) per sachet. As a student, naturally, I opted for the cheapest option I could find, and this was perfect.
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Another reason I chose this was because of how easy it was to make; a spoon of milk, a spoon of sugar, some hot water, and you’re good to go.
My time in school eventually came to an end, and all of a sudden I reckoned my need for caffeine would follow suit. But alas, on multiple occasions, I found myself craving a mean mug of coffee, and I couldn’t resist.
So I scoured the shops in my estate for it. It wasn’t actually difficult to find; on the second shop, I spotted a row of them instant coffees hanging from a line in front of the shop. It was the same one I used to buy back in school.
So once again, I was back to sipping cheap instant coffee; expect now, with the bad economy, one sachet retails for 150 naira (0.093 US dollars).
I settled for Nescafe for a long while until one day, my mom strolled into the house after work with a couple of bags. I relieved her of them and proceeded to search through them, as the nosy person that I am. And, like an Easter egg I’d been looking for for ages, laying in one of the nylon bags was a jar of Stockwell Instant coffee.
I wish you could see my face that night; I was beyond elated! I was so excited to try that new brand of instant coffee I couldn’t wait till the following morning. I had low key, gotten sick and tired of getting the same old Nescafe brand, and wanted to try something else.
And my, like an angel, swooped in and saved the day. Ironically, she said she bought it so she could make a facial scrub with it. I remember thinking, What a waste!
When I tried it the following day, it felt like I was transported to heaven. It tasted so divine; I could feel the quality of it too. Also, I paired it with the coffee creamer that my mom bought as a substitute for milk.
They both complimented each other so well, I became hooked. Ever since then, I’ve been having that one; it still hasn’t finished yet.
I don’t think I ever got around to asking my mom how much she got this one for. But one thing is certain: the Stockwell brand is more expensive than the Nescafe.
So in answer to the new edition of the Spillthebeans contest, I am a cheap girlie when it comes to enjoying my coffee.