I think when most people think of coffee they also think of caffiene, the hit of energy people associate with an espresso, or a coffee to-go. I also think there are two types of coffee drinker - the every day coffee drinker, who might have one a day usually in the morning, and the coffee lover, who will have a good coffee as a treat, or after dinner.

There are so many types of coffee out there, far more than the bog standard spoon of instant with milk most people will have at work or at home. Just look at the menu in one of the thousands of Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Nero and so on that have multiplied in the last ten years or so. When I was young my mum would take me to a cafe (not a coffee bar) and the options for beverages would be 'tea, coffee, hot chocolate'. No more no less. Now it's skinny latte, mocha, double shot espresso, caramels, hazlenut syrup and a thousand other options. It's very Americanised. I do like to have the choice when I treat myself to a £3+ coffee in a coffee bar, and there are a number of healthier options available such as skim milk and decaff, which can only be a positive thing.

I drink decaff at home usually because of health reasons, and I can enjoy a healthier drink which has all the flavour. I think this puts me more in a coffee lover category - whilst coffee is undoubtedly a breakfast drink for me, I drink it for the flavour not the caffiene. And I do have a 'posh' after dinner coffee as a treat and to offer guests.

Coffee as a flavour - as in, used as an ingredient - is something that can be a bit 'marmite' to people - even people who enjoy coffee as a drink. Personally I don't mind the odd coffee chocolate (but not a whole box of them), but I cannot stand coffee desserts even with the best coffee in them. The most famous is Tiramisu, it's so popular, in fact a straw poll around my office reveals that most people think it's gorgeous, but I really don't like strong coffee used in desserts, it totally overpowers the sweet treat, I don't like coffee ice cream either. Much better for me to have a light, possibly chocolate but I prefer fruit dessert, followed by a good coffee, than combine the two.

They say when you are selling your home to brew coffee for viewings because it's rich aroma will make potential buyers think of comfort, familiarity and being at home. I don't know whether that works, but it's worth a try - personally I do find the aroma of coffee very intoxicating but probably not enough to sway my vote on a house purchase!

Overall I am a coffee lover, as a drink, and whilst I enjoy an every day coffee I do appreciate it enough to have a 'special' treat coffee too. But I'll always be a daytime tea drinker too :)