Caffeine high

I've never been to so many 'coffees' before moving here.  School meetings, book clubs or random get together are often centered around the liquid caffeine.  Despite this, Starbucks hasn't yet made it to Ukraine.  Word on the street - which I tend to believe - is that there's already too much competition.  


Pretty much wherever you are, whatever your budget, you are close to a cup of joe to meet your needs.  Let's take a look.... from top to bottom


Fancy cafes
What appears to be the holy grail of coffee are the specialty cafes. One I enjoy is a combo bakery cafe with amazing pastries and decorations on the frothy milk!

Even being anti-coffee, I was tempted into trying a cappuccino thanks to the fab designs - and it was yummy!

But this decadence comes with a price - $6.50 to be exact......so clearly not the place to exclusively feed a caffeine dependency


Local joint:
Near the kids school "Home Cafe" opened up. Outfitted with cushy couches an free wifi it is a fab place to hang. 

Add a giant cappuccino for $2.50 (tea pot for scale) and you'll see why it has become one of our favorites.

Coffee trucks
A unique retailer you see a lot of are coffee trucks. 

These mobile caffeine stations are fab. They pull up, park and open shop literally right where you need them (e.g. A busy intersection). 

The prices are great at ~$1.00 for made to order drinks with hand frothed milk.

Assessment - tasty good value


Coffee vending machines
These things are everywhere. In building lobby's, metro stations, the airport. For ~$0.60 you can get a cappuccino.....I tried it. Was surprisingly tasty.

But I got a stomach ache almost immediately after (note to self - no milk from vending machines)



Coffee road stand
The most random form of caffeine delivery is the road side stand. Take a busy highway, add a folding table with some hot water and instant coffee and presto!  You have a business model. 

For ~$0.40 you too can enjoy a hot cup of serious kick you in the pants coffee

 There was maybe 4 oz of water to the heaping spoon of instant joe + another big heap of sugar.  Almost chewy!

Assessment - only for those desperate for a jolt




Up until a month ago, I passed on the coffee - never liked the taste.  But I guess one could say I succumbed to cultural peer pressure AND with enough frothy, sugary goodness have added it to my long list of caffeinated beverages of choice. 




Here's to trying new things & a good strong cup of joe!