In the past, you could choose from the vast selection of regular and decaf coffee when dining out. Espresso and cappuccino was something reserved for fine dining and most people would only give you a blank stare if you asked any questions about the quality of the beans used in their coffee. My how times have changed.

Over the last two decades we've seen a coffee craze seem to take over the country. Coffee is becoming the new wine with coffee makers seeking to educate consumers while appealing to a more sophisticated palate. Today there seem to be more flavors for coffee than Baskin Robins (tm) has of ice cream. For every possible flavor combination, you can have it frozen, on ice, or served hot.

Wow, who would have thought thirty something years ago that coffee houses would become the preferred meeting place for young singles and almost every book store would have one attached or located very nearby? No matter what flavor of coffee you prefer, one thing pretty much goes without saying, coffee has seen steady growth in popularity among the old and young alike over the last thirty years and it really shows no signs of stopping.

If you haven't considered coffee for more than a wake up drink in the morning, you've really gotta get out more. Coffee is a drink that is enjoyed at anytime of day or night. Popular restaurants are featuring it on their menu as before dinner and after dinner drinks, even Dairy Queen has a coffee drink made with ice cream. No matter what time of day it is or what time of year, there is a coffee drink that is appropriate.

For those who are serious lovers of the combination of coffee and ice cream, Lappert's Ice Cream will actually ship coffee flavored ice cream to you for a hefty shipping price of course. But, many who have tried this coffee flavored ice cream feel that the charges are acceptable for the service, especially since there aren't many locations for this chain around the country just yet.

Coffee isn't isolated to ice cream for dessert lovers there are coffee cheesecakes, coffee cakes, coffee icings and frostings for cakes, coffee cookies, mocha walnut pie, Kahlua brownies, café au lait pudding, biscotti, and tiramisu just to name a few. Not only has coffee been used to flavor more than a small share of desserts, it is a great compliment for almost any sweet. So be sure to have a cup with your dessert. It's almost as good as having your cake and eating it too.

For those who have stronger needs for refreshment, try adding a little coffee, which has for centuries been a holder of much bolder liquid desserts. The strong flavor of coffee is actually a very good complement to the liquors that often share coffee cups around the world. If you look around you can find several recipes for these concoctions online. Try a few out when the temperatures start dipping below chilly and see if you find one that makes your new can't live without wintertime treat list. Isn't it amazing, how many flavors coffee has?