Traditionally, Valentine’s Day has always been a time for lovers.

Since the pandemic and the recent rise in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, forcing the government to initiate a curfew of 8:00 pm, this has forced many to forgo the special day.

Normally, a place where digital nomads frequent, one of Jamaica’s only coffee houses, Rituals Coffee House, (located in Village Plaza) is joining forces with Coffee Roasters of Jamaica, a locally made Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee for Valentine’s Day offering a chance to celebrate a loved one with a two-for-one deal on lattes.

“It’s difficult to see people you care about because of the restrictions. Why not treat your loved one: older relative, best friend, or even mentor with a coffee date? We have strict COVID protocols inside. If you don’t want to dine inside, you can carry the extra latte to your loved one.” says Donna Smith of Rituals Coffee House.

So, where did the drink latte originate?

When asked about the special Valentine’s Day event, Donna said, “On Saturday, February 13th to Sunday, February 14th, we will be offering a two-for-one offer on all our lattes. Traditionally, a latte is a classic coffee that’s constructed with the two main ingredients: espresso and steamed milk. The word “latte” comes from the Italian word “caffè e latte”, which simply means “coffee and milk.” 

“We make ours with a combination of 1/3 espresso, 2/3 steamed milk, and a small, thin layer of microfoam on the surface but the cool thing about lattes is that they can be made to suit your taste. So if you wanted it with chocolate mocha, caramel, or vanilla, as well as different milk types like soy, almond, or oat we can accommodate you. ” Donna added. 

Mark Fletcher, principal of Country Traders that distributes Coffee Roasters of Jamaica, chimed in, “Ever since the 1600s people have been enjoying lattes –a coffee and milk combination, and as time has passed, the name and reference of the drink combination have evolved. With the rise of coffee houses and cafes in Jamaica, people are drinking a lot more coffee and particularly the variations, espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, and even the cold beverage options like cold brew and frappes. There are also so many possibilities to make your beverages at home but, if you don’t have the time, just visit Rituals Coffee House to drink our authentic 100 % Coffee Roasters of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee.”

“The great thing about the latte offer is that it’s a beverage for those who don’t want anything super strong. Though there’s espresso in it, which has a taste profile that is very robust and strong in caffeine content, the proportion of milk will heavily dilute the severity of the caffeine in the coffee. So it’s something that everyone can enjoy,” Mark Fletcher continued.