A Musical Journey Through Coffee: Why we see coffee as a sensory experience.
If you’ve been a fan of our coffees for a while, then you’ve probably been on a little musical journey with us too. 2 Become 1 is our latest seasonal blend, and - following suit from a long standing tradition here at Blind Owl - we’ve been inspired by our team’s eclectic taste in music and have named it after one of our favourite songs. But why exactly is it that we set out to share our music taste with the world in the form of our blends?
The answer lies in both our name and our values, and stems from how Blind Owl came to be: named after Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson, a founding member of the 60s band Canned Heat, our inspiration has been taken from music and musicians straight from the off. (Yes, some of you may in fact be surprised that our name isn’t just one of those trendy combinations of a random adjective and a random noun).
The importance of music for the soul can’t be denied; it can keep you healthy, elevate your mood, and relieve stress - it’s even believed to be able to reduce pain. Kim Cunio, a professor and convenor of musicology said “When I’m feeling that things are a little bit hard, I turn to music like we all do. Sometimes that music is a deliberate echo of how I’m feeling … sombre and sad. But sometimes I need music of a completely different feeling that can snap me out of that space. This is the true wonder of music – that there is no rule as to what is best to listen to. We have to follow the heart.
And we believe in this importance and we’ve tried to carry it into what we do every day, whether it be blasting tunes whilst we roast coffee, or singing at the top of our lungs after a tough day. It’s a moment of joy and solace in your day, or it can be the perfect way to kick-start it - maybe even wind it down. There’s never an occasion that isn’t elevated by the magic of music; whether it’s helping you to appreciate the little things introspectively, or cathartically scream out your feelings. It’s important to experience all ends of the spectrum emotionally, and music as a sensory stimulant is the perfect springboard to letting it all out.
And what’s that got to do with coffee, I hear you cry? Well actually, we believe that exactly the same thing can be said for coffee as well.
Maybe it’s why we tend to focus on the sensory experience of coffee so often; just like music, coffee is a catalyst for so many other things. Those morning chats before a busy day begins, perhaps a quiet moment of peace and contemplation alone, or a moment and emotion shared with somebody else over a brew. Coffee can be a jumping off point for so much more. It can facilitate finding your place amongst the community around you, whether that be bonding with your colleagues, or striking up a conversation with a stranger in your favourite café.
And who knew, there’s even some science behind why drinking coffee can be the ritualistic release that you need to start your day in the most relaxing way possible. Caffeine in fact helps the brain release dopamine into the prefrontal cortex, a brain area important for mood regulation. Caffeine may also help the storage of dopamine in the amygdala, another part of the brain important for anxiety regulation. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that stimulates the sensation of happiness, or even the feeling of falling in love. So I guess when we say that we LOVE our morning coffee, we really do love our morning coffee?
Caffeine is also thought to have a positive effect on depression, with one experiment suggesting that caffeine can prevent brain receptors from responding to stressful situations. So we do really mean it when we say that we consider a cup of coffee (at the right time of day of course!) the perfect remedy for winding down, taking a minute to ourselves, and appreciating the good things that life - and good coffee - can bring.
So yes, whilst we might have some silly fun with our blend names - and this season’s coffee is clearly no exception - there is method in our madness. Not only do we get to share our impeccable music taste with you and pat ourselves on the back for being so hip and cool (errr..?) but in reality, it’s a constant reminder to us of everything we set out to do; to create a community of people who can feel connected through the beauty of good coffee, and to share a moment with you that helps you feel like your best self.