What to choose when visiting someone for the first time, and they offer you tea or coffee?
I often play it safe and choose tea. But there are days when you need more than one cup of coffee.
Dare I ask: 'Umm, is it instant?'
I'll keep quiet and take my chances, but always offer to help, even if it's only to keep the hostess company.
My eyes will be darting around the kitchen, and if I spot a bottle of instant coffee, I will say I've changed my mind and would like a cup of tea.
A perceptive hostess will start telling me this is the best instant coffee, and I'd never know the difference.
Nah, I've heard that before, says I, silently to myself, of course;) The sachets of Cappuccinos aren't bad, but they're simply not the same!
'No, it's not that. I've already had three cups today, and I will never sleep tonight! Can I please rather have a cup of tea?' says I to the host.
The prize for the worst coffee must be plane coffee, not 'plain' coffee; I mean coffee on a plane, a flying machine! The worst coffee I've ever had; yucky, diluted black hot liquid that made me feel like throwing up. It tasted like the coffee grits had been recycled over and over till there was nothing left to squeeze out! I ordered 'plane' coffee only once, and sat there clutching that waxy cup of steaming hot liquid, trying to get the attention of the air hostess to get rid of it. Was I invisible? Well, she obviously thought she was done with little old me, and looked right past me! I could not drink it!
I never ordered coffee on a plane again; I will not take a chance on that!
Then you get the real coffee experience - rich, bold aromas that wake the senses!
When I was a working girl, I used to buy freshly roasted coffee directly from Colombo Coffee & Tea during lunchtime. They've been around since 1917. Funnily, they also used to roast peanuts back then, and I would buy them hot off the press. I would leave it in the car and savour the intense aroma of freshly roasted coffee and a tinge of roasted peanuts all the way home after work. It permeated the whole car and would linger for a couple of days! Some of the girls in my lift club were coffee lovers as well, and often asked me to buy for them.
Coffee beans need to be ground correctly.
They would ask:
Fine, medium, or coarse?
I quickly learnt that fine is for Italian Coffee pots, medium is best for coffee machines, and a coarse grind for a French press, which is what I use.
I have my own grinder for the times when I get freshly roasted coffee beans. It for sure surpasses store-bought ground coffee, even though it's vacuum-sealed! My little grinder, however, does not have any settings. One simply grinds it longer if you want it fine.
Of course, many coffee lovers invest in costly machines that use coffee pods, but it's pricey. I am more than happy with my little plunger! I also have a manual milk frother for the days when I feel like having a lighter, frothy coffee.
Coffee culture seemed to have exploded around the globe; we are spoilt for choice with fabulous coffee shops and pop-ups on the beaches, in the parks, and at large events.
What makes coffee taste better?
Of course, when shared with a friend or a loved one. Even better, add to that a delish, featherlight pastry on the side!
𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚!
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