When you drive through 436 North towards the airport, better known as Semoran Boulevard, you will be welcomed by the colorful, bright signs of all the small business along the corridor. You will perceive that North Semoran Boulevard is not only the main corridor of Orlando City District 2, but it is the gateway of the City Beautiful, Orlando.
Our residents do not pretend to assume that we are unique. We know that many cities across our Sunshine State, such as Miami, will show you the view of a corridor – but Semoran Boulevard represents a community embark in a very different perspective. If you come to the corner of Semoran and Curry Ford, you have reached the heart of District 2.
Ah, can you smell it? Oh yes my friend, that delicious aroma, is the brewing of that “posillo” – the Spanish term used to describe a shot of strong Hispanic Coffee. The funny part of the brewing is not just serving it; it is the ritual followed by coffee drinkers in the Hispanic sector of Orlando. Every morning retirees, ex-war heroes, immigrants from Cuba or immigrants of South American Countries, gather at any of the local cafés or the Main Local Hispanic supermarkets to share not only their living cultural experiences but also to share that strong shot of coffee.
It is so “pinto risqué” to see people of so many different backgrounds, upbringings and political tendencies gathering and sharing coffee and talking about the local and national news. What would happen if the big coffee makers that compete with the gourmet trend will bring their exquisite macciados to District 2? It may attract the generation X and Y who are rushing to get to college or to the office, yes. But in the heart of District 2, the residents will always opt to have their coffee from 9:00am to 10:00am at the local Hispanic supermarkets or Café’s with that Hispanic punch that not only makes that coffee strong but their political opinions as well.
Cuban coffee is the number one choice in the list of Hispanic coffee drinkers and the distinction is to make sure that is strong. When it hits your taste buds, trust me my friend you will wake up. Puerto Ricans need to make sure that the milk is boiled and sugar is required. Colombian coffee is well-respected in this neck of the woods, and the preference is to brew it at home in the company of your relatives and friends.
The symbol of the coffee and the aroma of its rich taste serve as a reminder to all the visitors and friends that you are in the heart of the Hispanic community. Do not think for a moment that the coffee is to drink alone, oh no! You see it gets better: sandwiches are on the menu and for those who feel that eggs, cheese and ham is to fulfilling to start an early run, or you can try pastries fill with cheese, guava or even meat. Everyone in the district is now incorporating “the arepas,” a tradition that we are all picking up from our South American brothers and sisters, and trust me these pancakes look-alikes are best accompanied by a nice cup of coffee.
It does not matter what is your choice of breakfast, when you reach the Semoran Boulevard Corridor, the smell of Hispanic Coffee brewing early in the morning is our way of saying: “Welcome to our District,” grab a chair and have some coffee. You know you are in District 2, when you can wake up and smell the coffee. For only a buck, you get to discuss politics and enjoy the company of our people who are passionate and warm, because we start our day with a Java, brewed with love.
Have a cup of our coffee, “we are happy to see you, welcome home.”
by Vienna Avelares
Visited the Coffee Region of PR in September. Coffee has been grown in Puerto Rico for over 270 years. Ole! PS – Good article.