I used to really dislike coffee (as my brother keeps reminding me when I try to push for better coffee at my parents). Now I really like coffee and for that I mostly blame my good friend Andrew Duncan.
The Early Years
The earliest I can remember actually having a coffee I liked was probably 1997/1998 when we went to Canada on holiday. I'm fairly sure I had a coffee Frappuccino type drink which was likely from Starbucks. I probably enjoyed this because it was cold, sweet and full of milk so took away the bitterness usually associated with coffee. I think from then I probably started to drink coffee on occasion at home; instant with lots of milk and sugar.
Proper Coffee
I'm fairly sure my parents had ground coffee either on a Sunday with breakfast or for special occasions. My brother and I always enjoyed plunging the cafetiere (who doesn't, it's the best bit if you're not drinking it!). I'm sure I had some on occasion but I have no good memory of it.
The University Years
Mostly instant, but more of it. I got a little desktop coffee machine (although older that that one, with only one tiny mug) as a present so needed some actual ground coffee. It worked pretty well for a tiny cup of coffee and sure helped for 9am lectures.
In my third year someone in our house got a drip coffee machine so that was good for a while.
Starting Work
Once I got a job I was persuaded to get rid of the instant and go for the pre ground from the supermarket. I generally ended up with the Qualità Rossa blend from Lavazza and sure remember enjoying it. It all started to build up from there.
Fresh Roasted
I started ordering fresh roasted but ground coffee from Has Bean. Then I got this awesome hand grinder and obviously started ordering whole beans. I got an electric grinder (although it's the older version now, the Maestro Plus) last year and it's great.
The number of brew methods I had at my disposal also increased. The obvious starting point of a cafetiere, then an AeroPress and then a SwissGold one cup filter. All make a great cup of coffee.
I use the SwissGold by far the most. It makes a good cup with very little effort and interaction. This is extremely handy first thing in the morning as I am rushing to get out the door. The AeroPress is my favourite though. It makes such a good, smooth cup.
Good Beans
I generally get my beans from Has Bean, the best beans with the best service.
I go for a different coffee every time just to try them. Through a process of elimination I have come to find I enjoy the earthier coffees a lot more than the fruity ones. It's a difficult thing to tell, as it's mainly a description from the roaster as I can't tell myself (most of the time) when a coffee would be described as fruity. Sometimes you can really taste a certain flavour though; there was this lovely one from Bolivia last year that had a great biscuit taste.
Additives
When I have a good cup with good beans I just drink it black. If it's done right then it's not bitter and doesn't have any of the bad tastes. It can be naturally sweet and tastes great. Sometimes I get the need for a milky cup though and that's good too.
In Conclusion
So, I like coffee a lot. I only generally have one cup a day. It tastes great.