Several years ago I was sitting with my dad on his back porch, simply enjoying time spent in his company.

Together we silently took in many sights typical of summer’s end in the midwest: the grass was less green than it had been three or four months prior, the leaves on the maple tree standing tall just beyond the porch were beginning to fade from a vibrant green to shades of yellow, orange, and red, and the corn fields which boasted tall healthy stalks not one month ago had begun to shrivel, droop, and dry.

The sun shone brightly in the blue sky above, yet as we felt a slight breeze pass by, the air was undoubtedly different, possessing a crispness that was absent during my last visit.

It was at this point my father broke our quiet enjoyment of the wonders before us with the following statement, “you know, I do believe fall is upon us.”

Hmmm, fall is upon us. Or, to put it differently, change is coming.

Now, I’ll be honest, change isn’t something I’m generally very fond of, but when it comes to seasons, I find change to be something truly, deeply, wonderful.

As each season changes, we’re presented with an opportunity to behold familiar, yet completely new beauty all around us.

And, when it comes to autumn, this change also seems to bring about the opportunity to slow down and enjoy life just a little bit more…a season of reflection and contemplation, if you will.

For me, it’s generally amidst this season of ushering in cooler temps that I spend more time quietly reflecting on life itself.

Perhaps it’s the frequent moments spent curled up with a good book and a warm cup of coffee, or maybe there’s something more happening beneath the surface of my heart and mind, but I can’t help but ponder things more deeply this time of year.

Today we’re highlighting one of our flavored coffees loved by many of you, Vermont Maple Creme, and as I think of this flavor I can’t help but think of a story I once heard which incorporates the process of tapping maple trees and the contemplative nature of fall which I mentioned above.

So, join me for a few moments as we ponder this story, then make your way to your kitchen (and your coffee pot), as we’ll be closing out with some incredibly delicious ways to enjoy our creamy, decadent, Vermont Maple Creme Coffee.

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Just Past The Surface

An elderly gentleman and his teenage grandson were hiking through their family’s forest, buckets, spiles, and drill in hand as they made the trek to the maple trees deep in the wooded acres.

Their journey wasn’t long, but for the most part, the pair walked in silence.

Upon reaching the first tree to be tapped, Jason grinned as he began to hear familiar words exit the weather-worn lips of his grandpa.

“You know, tapping trees can teach us a lot about life, about relationships, about our duty in this world.”

At this point, Jason nodded in half-hearted agreement. It would take several more years before the lessons passed down from his grandfather, all while tapping maple trees, would fully be realized in the young man’s life.

“On the outside, the tree bark looks ordinary. The stunning beauty of the tree isn’t even evident at the time of tapping. But, there’s such a decadently sweet, powerfully healthy, and richly enjoyable substance to be gained, if we’ll only search past the surface.”

As Jason’s grandfather gripped his drill, his voice raised slightly to speak over the sound of the machine passing just past the surface of the tree bark.

“If we’re not careful, we can walk through this life doing more observing than actually living, than actually getting to know and invest in those we say we love and appreciate.

So often we spend time with people, be it friends, family, or colleagues, and never truly get to know one another. Sometimes I suppose we just don’t take the time to listen, care, or even show folks our true self.

And, when we mindlessly stroll through life like this, we wind up never learning enough about folks to truly appreciate their talents, never really sharing the talents we possess ourselves either.”

Once the drill bit had penetrated roughly two inches past the bark, into the rich inner layers of the maple tree, Jason inserted the spile and hung the bucket which would accumulate the sweet sap from within.

“You see J, so often we don’t truly give folks a chance. Heck, half the time we don’t even give our own self a chance.

We all have unique qualities to offer this world, and we were never meant to keep them hidden inside. Nor were we meant to ignore those gifts in others.

We have an obligation, a duty to look past the surface and see the rich goodness in others, to be vulnerable enough to share our goodness, joys, and talents, and to let this guide us in all our dealings.”

“Kind of like not judging a book by its cover, right grandpa?”

“That’s only a small part of it.

Just remember this J, if we only choose to see the surface, if we only choose to give what’s on the surface, we’ll never experience, or have a chance to be, the goodness this world so desperately needs.

You have unique qualities to offer this world, a kind heart, a willing and helping hand, and that’s just the start. So, don’t hide those things from those you encounter…share what’s just past the surface.”

“And Jason, never think the ordinary ‘tree bark’ you see in others is all there is to folks either. Just like you, there’s likely a rich, sweet substance to be shared, just beneath their surface as well.

You think your gran and I would still be together after all these years if we didn’t care enough to see and bring out in each other what’s just past our surface?”

“I guess not, Jason answered.”

“Give this world and the people in it a chance. Look for the good in all those you meet…”

“Because sometimes the good, sweet, nature and talent in others lies just past the surface,” right grandpa?

“That’s right, J. That’s right.”

Stated in a slightly different manner than the above story, I found the words of Marcus Aurelius fitting for this lesson:

“Look beneath the surface; let not the several qualities of a thing, nor its worth, escape thee.”

So, if you find yourself reflecting a bit more as the temps cool and autumn beauty surrounds us, ponder past the surface with us this season (and beyond) as we enjoy each savored sip of our favorite brew.

3 Fabulous Fall Recipes Using Vermont Maple Creme Coffee

1- Maple Cream Cold Brew

Fall temps can be tricky, especially at the onset of the season.

You’re all geared up for sweater weather, perfectly content to sip warm mugs of coffee in your favorite chair underneath your favorite blanket, curled up with your favorite book/movie, then out of the blue you’re met with an unseasonably warm day that warrants a change.

On warm autumn days, I still enjoy sipping the flavors of fall, but I typically do so over ice.

And, this maple foam topped cold brew is perfect for such days!

*Note: You’ll notice this recipe calls for organic grass-fed whole milk, this is my preference of late when making a thick, rich foam topper for my coffee, but you can sub any milk of your choice.

Many cold foams use 2% milk, but truly, with the aid of a milk frother, you can create your perfect foam with almost any milk, especially if you add a hint of heavy whipping cream, which contains almost zero lactose.

Bonus: If you really want a firm, stable foam topper that contains some added health benefits, add some unflavored collagen powder to your foam prior to frothing as this will keep your foam stiff and stable for longer periods of time.

Ingredients

• 6 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Vermont Maple Creme Coffee
• 4-5 maple coffee ice cubes (see recipe below)
• 4 teaspoons real maple syrup, divided
• ⅛ teaspoon maple extract
• ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
• ¼ cup organic grass-fed whole milk

Instructions

• Add ice cubes to a tall glass. Pour cold brew over the ice cubes, then stir in 2 teaspoons of real maple syrup. Set aside.
• Add heavy cream, milk, maple extract, and real maple syrup to an electric frother and froth on the cold setting.
• Top coffee mixture with the prepared foam, and enjoy!

Maple Coffee Ice Cubes

• 8 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Vermont Maple Creme Coffee
• 1 tablespoon real maple syrup
• ⅛ teaspoon maple extract

Stir maple syrup and maple extract into 8 ounces of coffee. Once fully combined, carefully pour the maple coffee mixture into an ice cube tray. Place the tray into your freezer for 4+ hours, then use as needed in your favorite iced coffee to keep your brew tasty, strong, and cold.

2- Maple Cream Confection

Remember that cozy chair, blanket, and book/movie we mentioned above? This maple mug filler is the exact drink I think of when enjoying a day meant for relaxation.

Of course, this also serves as a high point in any fall morning, whether you’re enjoying each sip from the school drop off lane, on your commute to the office, or from your front porch swing, watching a morning fog lift to reveal stunning autumn leaves falling to the ground.

This is a little on the sweet side, so feel free to add an amount of maple syrup that best suits your desires.

Ingredients

• 6 ounces strongly brewed Lifeboost Vermont Maple Creme Coffee
• 6 ounces oat milk
• 2 tablespoons real maple syrup
• Whipped cream, optional for topping
• ¼ teaspoon ceylon cinnamon, for topping

Instructions

• Add freshly brewed coffee to your favorite mug, then stir in maple syrup and set aside.
• Add oat milk to a small saucepan and heat over low-medium heat, stirring frequently, until the milk is heated through and begins to slightly bubble.
• Whisk the heated milk until it begins to appear frothy.
• Top prepared coffee with the frothed oat milk.
• If desired, add whipped cream to the top of your latte then dust with cinnamon. Enjoy!

3- Apple-Maple Brew For You And Your Boo

Pumpkin isn’t the only boo-friendly fall flavor. And, this apple-maple latte, which makes enough for two, brings such amazingly decadent, creamy, and sweet coffee goodness that you’ll absolutely want to share with your boo.

Of course, sans boo…it’s also perfect just for you! Simply halve each measurement when enjoying on your own.

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 10 ounces freshly brewed Lifeboost Vermont Maple Creme Coffee
• ¼ cup real maple syrup
• ¾ cup half and half
• 3 tablespoons apple butter
• Whipped cream, for topping
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, for topping

Instructions

• Add half and half, maple syrup, and apple butter to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until combined and warmed through. Stir frequently, and do not allow the mixture to boil.
• While cooking the maple-apple mixture, brew 10 ounces of coffee and divide between two large mugs.
• Pour the heated apple-maple mixture into each mug of coffee, divided evenly.
• Top each mug with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon, if desired. Enjoy!

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Vermont Maple Crème .