Everything I share today is strictly my opinion. Although I would venture to think a real coffee drinker would agree with most of what I come up with...
My dad drank coffee all my growing up years. I would awaken each morning to the sound of his slurping through his second pot of coffee of the day. Both the noise and aroma came up the stairs into my bedroom. Its one of my best memories.
Yesterday, we were all at mom and dad's house for Sunday lunch. Everything was perfect. Except the coffee. Dad has raised a bunch of coffee snobs and now in his latter years, he's become a traitor to the cause. He's gone from higher quality coffee beans to whatever is on sale in the generic aisle of the grocery store. He changed out his 12 cupper Bunn to a 4 cup itty bitty thing like you see in cheap motel rooms.
Being Norwegians, albeit pretty watered down Norwegians, we drink coffee as ritual. It's how we visit best. It goes with family. Being Norwegians at all, we take credit for the little bit that we are as if we are full blooded and we exalt coffee.
That 4 cupper of Dad's haunted me the rest of the day and I decided it was time to refresh our memory of how to make a really good cup of coffee...
It starts with a french press and good quality beans and a grinder.
While the water is heating, grind those beans and dump them in there.
Still, while your water is heating, you dig out the cream... I hardly ever splurge this bad...plain ole half n half makes me very happy too.
Let the water and coffee unite. They must become one for a full minute to get the best flavor... take a moment of silence here...
Press the coffee slowly, savoring every whiff that rises... pour it directly over the cream, watch it blend... I guessed right again... This is the perfect color; must be all the practice I get. Enjoy! While you drink, you think about your day and all the things you are thankful for and you also think about how to deal with the things you don't know if you are thankful for. Nevertheless, you have coffee to get you through. Life just got better. Again.
Don't worry Dad, I know I am a coffee snob. I'm saving up to buy you a real coffeepot and good beans. I must reteach you, how to make a great cup of coffee, so we can resume our fond affection of one another...
My dad drank coffee all my growing up years. I would awaken each morning to the sound of his slurping through his second pot of coffee of the day. Both the noise and aroma came up the stairs into my bedroom. Its one of my best memories.
Yesterday, we were all at mom and dad's house for Sunday lunch. Everything was perfect. Except the coffee. Dad has raised a bunch of coffee snobs and now in his latter years, he's become a traitor to the cause. He's gone from higher quality coffee beans to whatever is on sale in the generic aisle of the grocery store. He changed out his 12 cupper Bunn to a 4 cup itty bitty thing like you see in cheap motel rooms.
Being Norwegians, albeit pretty watered down Norwegians, we drink coffee as ritual. It's how we visit best. It goes with family. Being Norwegians at all, we take credit for the little bit that we are as if we are full blooded and we exalt coffee.
That 4 cupper of Dad's haunted me the rest of the day and I decided it was time to refresh our memory of how to make a really good cup of coffee...
Don't worry Dad, I know I am a coffee snob. I'm saving up to buy you a real coffeepot and good beans. I must reteach you, how to make a great cup of coffee, so we can resume our fond affection of one another...
Oh boy. You are a coffee snob. I have a 4 cupper at my house (but it isn't a cheap kind) and I don't buy the generic brand of coffee at the store. And I do like it freshly ground, and served with half and half - not the yucky powder cream. So I guess I'm a bit of a snob myself. However I have neither the time nor the patience to use a french press. I thought I was a coffee addict (people here generally avoid coffee) until I came to see you guys, then I realized I was only an ammature. My 1 or 2 cups of coffee a day were nothing compared to the daily ritual of 1 or 2 pots of coffee. :) But it was good to feel okay with enjoying coffee as much as I do and find that hey, there are other people who think like I do about coffee.
ReplyDeleteHa! Yes, and the french press isn't for everyone. There's newer and better methods along with names of which I can't remember. :)
Delete"Second POT of coffee by the time you were awake"? Wow! He likes it even better then I remember. 😃 And yes, I attribute my real love of coffee to drinking it with your parents. 😊 ...and those Saturday mornings when I'd drop in on you and you would make me coffee while I would fold your laundry and we would chat. Mmmmm...hazelnut with a little cream- it still always makes me think of you! 😊 Those are goooooood memories! 💞
ReplyDeleteWow? I did that? I remember your help with the laundry but didn't remember the coffee I fixed for you. Isn't it crazy how our lives change so fast? I think another cup with a load of laundry is in order. :)
DeleteYes!!! That sounds perfectly lovely!!! I miss good Shilah chats! :)
DeleteMike still talks fondly of drinking coffee with your dad and he always adds that Sid made real coffee and not mud puddle water like his mom.
ReplyDeleteI think maybe my dad has still got the knack for drinking it but its gotten weaker tasting through the years. Either that, I've started making mine stronger. :)
DeleteCoffee is such a therapy for the soul! Maybe if Dad had a good grinder he could resurrect his abilities to create a good coffee again. But I've been pondering.....what kind of creature comforts do I get to wake up to when I get to be 70 if coffee won't be an option? watered down tea in a pretty cup I suppose. Oh Dear.
ReplyDeleteI once thought that I wasn't Skrivseth enough to handle coffee. It gave me the jitters. But since a few babies and a good husband, I've become a bit of a snob myself. I like a good aero press style coffee every day. Still can't drink too much--unless I'm after vroom and need to get lots done. But anyway, if you think that a french press is a pain, try making areo press coffee. I like it best. Such bondage! :)
ReplyDeleteA very good point. Bondage. I once went on a coffee fast. For a whole two weeks. I did it for fasting purposes. I got to where I didn't need it to survive, but I didn't glean a whole lot of spiritual insight, other than realizing that bondage to any one thing isn't a good balance. :) The whole point with my dad is the tiny little coffee maker versus the big crowd of coffee snobs he raised. Just can't figure it out. Not logical!
Deletebtw. Lisl's right on about the areo press and coffee in general. It's exactly my story. everything.
ReplyDelete