Hello, coffee lovers around the world.
A good friend pointed out to me one day that I wasn't paying attention to things, that I wasn't enjoying the moment. She told me I was always rushing around and not noticing my surroundings. She had made coffee at her house, and we were talking about our stories (we're both writers) when she said that. I immediately dismissed the comment, as I considered myself a detail-oriented person. However, she quickly replied: "I just gave you the cup of coffee, I haven't even sat down yet, and you've already drunk it. That's not truly enjoying coffee. That's not how it's done."
And she was right.
Every time I go to get coffee, every time I find myself in a situation like this prompt, where time seems to slow down, I remember what he taught me that day.
Coffee, as he taught me that day: coffee is enjoyed with all the senses.
The first thing we do is listen to the sound of the coffee maker as it brews the coffee. That's the sound that triggers an immediate, almost Pavlovian reflex in us, making us want to drink even more because we know it's almost ready.
Then comes the incomparable aroma of freshly brewed coffee. By that point, we're practically salivating.
Of all the daily rituals, or mini-rituals, I think preparing the coffee and pouring it into the cups is one of the things we enjoy most. And it's not just the coffee itself, it's the whole process: the cup, the saucer, the cookie, the chocolate, or whatever we have with it (if we do). Subconsciously, everything should be beautiful, elegant.
Next, we must also appreciate the warmth of the cup. This is where many of us fail, and it's one I paid the most attention to, since I was also failing at it. Hold the cup with both hands and enjoy its warmth. At that moment, three of the five senses are engaged: touch, sight, and smell. We should also enjoy that instant before tasting.
Then we can proceed to take just a sip of the coffee and return to the previous position, and now we have four of the senses engaged.
All of this goes through my mind as soon as I hear the coffee machine, calling out that my coffee is ready and my ritual begins.
It's an experience that elevates enjoyment to another level and makes drinking a cup of coffee more than just that.
Each cup can be a completely unique experience if we allow ourselves to be and learn to savor every second of it.
The next time you go to a coffee shop, try these steps and enjoy your coffee with all five senses.
You won't regret it!
Cheers, everyone!
