There are mornings when you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Then there are mornings when you've only managed two hours of sleep, which somehow become even less after having to squeeze in an early morning activity before heading to work. That was my reality today.
One question kept running through my mind: How am I actually going to survive the day? Then that familiar phrase popped into my head: "But first, coffee." Since Highland Park sits conveniently between home and the office, it didn't take much convincing to pull into Café de Paris for a quick stop before work. My order was a simple chai latte paired with a chocolate almond croissant.
While a café latte is built around espresso, a chai latte is inspired by India's traditional masala chai, meaning "spiced tea." It combines black tea with warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and black pepper, then finishes with steamed milk and a touch of sweetness.
The result is a comforting drink that's creamy, fragrant and gently spiced, more like a warm hug in a mug than an intense caffeine kick. Considering my severe lack of sleep, maybe I should have ordered a dirty chai instead since it has one or two shots of espresso added.
Still, the warmth and the gentle spices somehow made the morning feel a little less overwhelming. It turns out there is some science behind that feeling.
Warm beverages are known to create a sense of comfort and relaxation, while sweet tastes can activate the brain's reward system, triggering the release of dopamine. The aromatic spices, particularly cinnamon and ginger, are also believed to contribute to feelings of warmth and wellbeing.
I would say early morning coffee helps collect your thoughts and start the day on a slightly brighter note. By the time I finished my chai latte, I was ready to face the day.