If Ice-Blended drinks were simply the delicious pleasures that they are, I would still indulge myself from time to time, reveling in the mix of coffee and flavors. But – and here’s the fantastic but – it took a friend of mine to point out to me that my favorite drink could sate not only my need for something cool and wonderful to drink but is good for me as well.

First – and this comes as a happy revelation – Coffee Bean uses only non-fat milk (in the relevant drinks, of course – don’t expect non-fat milk in Sunrise or Mango Ice Blended because that would be just strange). It’s a given, it’s the default, it’s the way of their world. Non-fat means guys like me can cease worrying (and being guilty) about the second round of White Chocolate Dream.

Second (and this one provoked paroxysms of joy from one of my lactose-intolerant kabarkada), if milk is not your thing, you can request for soy milk (and no, soy milk does not, in fact, come from vegetable cows). Soy milk contains a high number of very healthy compounds, is rich in protein, and contains more fiber than regular milk. No longer should the sensation of Caramel Ice Blended be beyond anyone’s taste buds.

Third is that your favorite Ice Blended drink also comes in the sugar free variety – with the same great taste. The secret is in the sugar free French Deluxe Vanilla and Special Dutch Chocolate powders that give Coffee Bean Ice Blended drinks its distinctive taste. Sugar free means diminished calories – always a good thing.

It’s great that something so good is good for the body too!

There is something incurably romantic about the Filipino. As I’m sitting here in my favorite spot in my favorite Coffee Bean branch during the month recognized worldwide as the month of love, I cannot help but notice how dating has evolved from a formal “May I take you out” to a more casual “Hey, let’s meet up”. Despite the less rigid protocols of today though, there is still the sense of needing to take that special someone somewhere nice. And not just during Valentine’s Day or the month of hearts.

Science tells us that attraction is chemical, that certain scents, visual cues and body language trigger certain areas in our brains that in turn move us towards that certain someone – yes, Virginia, the biological imperative is hardwired into our system. But where attraction can be argued to genetic, everything else is a matter of taste – choices are made. And to make the best choices, it pays to get to know the certain someone.

One of my friends, let’s call him V, is firmly pro-romance. And his idea of “afternoon-get-to-know-you”? Lattes and conversation at Coffee Bean. The gang and I bump into him and her once in a while and find them with a latte each, splitting a slice of chocolate cake or going halfies on a pastrami sandwich. When pressed for their choice of venue, he says: “We like the food and the smell.” I must say that I agree.

Even small acts of love are everyday occurrences at my favorite coffee shop. I see an older couple almost every afternoon and smile when the man comes back with their lattes to his wife who reaches out to thank him with a touch on his arm. My own wife nudges me when we see them and we exchange silent affirmations that yes, we both see ourselves in them – sipping lattes while reading books.

Our coffee culture, romantic or otherwise, is so different from those of other countries I’ve visited. In the US, for example, a coffee shop is just a place to get coffee.

Here, I’m glad to say, Coffee Bean is a place to get to know coffee, and that certain someone you’re sharing the experience with.