Coffee Lockdown Week 6

Being a coffee snob means the coffee you were satisfied with in your previously coffee-disadvantaged-life was of a lesser grade. Of course people have different taste preferences, even the tea drinkers have their preferred brand. But everyone has that "limit-of-quality" line they draw when it comes to rather staying without it than drinking it. Some people may still drink good quality instant such as Douwe Egberts or a fine aroma such as Jacobs. To me, that line got drawn at any instant coffee. Some people call it coffee snobbery, but I call it appreciation. And a load of respect. You see it has to do with the bean. 

The original bean from the coffee plant is treated (or mistreated) through the process from seed to cup. For a coffee tree to produce, it needs 3 to 4 years for a carefully nurtured coffee tree to produce fruit. This fruit is called a coffee cherry, which is as bright red as its well-known edible counterpart. When deep red, they are ready to be picked. 

It is a labour intensive job where the pickers take a few days and each day only pick the ripe ones from the tree. This type of harvesting is done to preserve finer beans such as Arabica. Approximately 70kg coffee cherries produce roughly 14kg beans. Yikes. No wonder coffee has a hefty price tag. 

After the harvest the cherry goes through various drying and cleaning processes to produce a green bean. And only then it is sold to be roasted. 

So this is why I respect the humble bean and the way it is treated. And the closer the roasting and brewing is to the original bean, the more authentic and original the coffee. The less the processing the better. This is why I prefer to at least grind my own beans to make the blend of my choice. Instant to me is a bean already ground and packed in a pod. It is still the aroma and taste of that finer Arabica that gets me every time. My home brands range from local roasters such as Bloem Roasters, Jaru and Stereo. And of course, Nespresso! Still thankful coffee can be sold, I clutch my brew every day as I sit out Lockdown, and dream of the day I can again order my favourite flat white from my favourite baristas. 

Coffee Lockdown Week 5

LOCKDOWN 2020 WEEK 5

As the news of the Lockdown levels  and the intricate details unfold, coffee lovers are steeling themselves for yet another few weeks without their favourite java on-the-go. Fortunately there isn't a ban on the sale of coffee pods or beans. I was watching on the news how New Zealanders, who were down to phase 3 and 2, were queueing for their morning coffee, feeling a tinge of jealousy at the sight of "normal life", albeit masked. When we get out of this bizarre situation, and we will, coffee-to-go will be the thing to do first. When the time comes, a few rules will have to be strictly adhered to. Remember to take your own cup. Coffee in ceramic or glass just tastes that much better than a paper cup. This way you know where your cup comes from and how it is cleaned. And take your sanitizer along for good measure. How we look when we get it and in what we will have it is definitely going to ask compliance, but the point is when we get there, we will GET THE COFFEE. That's all that matters. Getting out of coffee foam prison will also be something to celebrate. Not to mention supporting the people of the industry who are hit hard by the rules this abominable virus has caused. I am looking forward with fervent anticipation to this day.  Until then, home coffee rules and is most definitely better than nothing. Cheers! 

Coffee Lockdown Week 3-4

LOCKDOWN 2020 WEEK3-4

As daunting as Lockdown sounded at the start, it is beginning to look like more daunting foamless coffee days are lying ahead. Make your own foam, someone said. Well, if I could drag one of those huge machines into my matchbox kitchen, I would. You see, it's not just about the foam. It is about the sounds and smell, the buzzing of voices and hissing of the steam. It's about micro foam texture when you put your spoon in to stir that flat white. It's about sitting down and becoming part of the vibe, having your coffee in a real cup. 

Staying indoors has its benefits. You can have all the coffee you want when you want it. You can have it in your pajamas, in bed, wearing sweats out on your stoep. You can heat it up if it went cold during a Zoom meeting. 

You can even find sound clips with all the sounds to make your coffee feel more authentic. 

I think we should make plans to reinvent our coffee, and quick! How about a whatsapp group video call dressed in bling? My regular coffee sisters, get your mojo on and let's plan a virtual girlz coffee session! 

Coffee Lockdown Week 2

LOCKDOWN 2020 Week 2

Today , 13th day in, Lockdown reality has set in. My coffee stash is holding up, and we have dared to shop a second time for milk and necessities. Apart from the odd lockdown differences, my housemates and I are getting along well and even Roxy my Miniature Schnauzer has adapted to life without walks. Apart from trying to reinvent my work on Instagram, spring cleaning and sorting out our cupboards and drawers, amongst other things, was also on my to do list. So far so good. I have tried sprucing up my cooking and coffee making skills, with limited results and room for improvement. I was involuntarily immersed in all the Corona Virus videos, pictures, articles and presentations. But now I have decided to stop. Stop listening to how bad this is and how bad it's going to get. I'll do what I have to and take precautions as I'm told to, but from now on I will focus on the lovely and the inspiring. Such as a warm freshly brewed bean with a nutty flavour, a piping hot glass of Gluhwein infused with nutmeg and cinnamon and a heart warming book I've been wanting to read. I shall sit in the winter morning sun and meditate on good thoughts and think postitively. And I shall diligently go about my daily tasks and hope with a far reaching yearning for a trip to the country, and a walk in the mountains or swiming in the sea. In the meantime I shall walk in the light of the pink super moon, knowing all my loved ones are watching the same moon and hoping the same things. I will say a silent prayer and send it on the clouds and wait. For the answer will surely come.

Coffee Lockdown Week 1

LOCKDOWN 2020 Week 1

Looking at my list of topics I realised none of them apply, because to write about different coffees one needs to go out. And then I thought, "who says?" I can still do a virtual gather with the girls on my regular Wednesday coffee date (of course we'll miss Stereo Roasters)! We can still talk about everything from movies to politics and sort out the world's most intricate problems in 20minutes and come away energised and brainstormed, ready to take on another week in Lockdown. 

Lockdown coffee very nearly became a disaster as I was frantically trying to get all the to do's on my list done before the anticipated speech by our Prez. Thereafter I found myself weighing up queues with people coughing in my neck against a quiet afternoon in front of my pc. Finally on my way home I suddenly thought of my Nespresso stash and got a chill down my spine, pulled over, fished my phone out my bag and called the online number. When Rozanne answered I felt the life returning as a wave of relief washed over me. In no time the order was processed with a firm promise of delivery in 2 days. Literally just in time. I was sorted and ready for Lockdown; who needs loads of food when you've got Nespresso! So, armed and dangerous, today we will get the girls together, construct a flat white with Nespresso Cafe Istanbul (intensity 10) and sit in the window in the sun, chatting and laughing and feel completely and utterly alive! Here's to you, all my coffee loving friends! 

New Coffee Awakenings

An unexpected coffee find is always the most awesome surprise, especially in Bloemfontein. And in finding this new and innovative coffee spot, more surprises were in store! In my search for a brain (I am a brain profiler and yes, sometimes my brain wanders😅) I had to drive to College Square to a toy shop. My only visits to College Square are usually between 5 and 6 am on the days I or my son travel to Pretoria on Citybug. Anyhow, after an unsuccessful brain search I decided to walk past all the shops to avoid the hot sun and surpise surprise, I see TORO, a quaint little coffee joint rigged for on-the-go people! I walk in and am greeted by Nadia who promises only the best. I place my order and look around.... and I find another surprise: they stock social food's delicious locally made muffins, #bestcookiewithcoffeeever in a cup and more! I decide to sample the chicken cheesecake and heat it up myself in the microwave provided, using wooden utensils and a plate provided. In no time my flat white is done and I get stuck in. The chicken cheesecake checked all the boxes for a scrumptious brunch. The flat white is simply delicious, boasting a smooth nutty flavour with a delicate after taste of cream. Just the right kick for the students who frequent TORO for their daily fix. All I can say is GO there! For a quick and luscious stop to fuel your day, you won't be sorry! Will I go back? Most definitely!

Holiday Coffee 2

Aquariums have come a long way, especially the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town’s renowned Waterfront. Apart from the ease of purchasing day passes online, the range of activities one can participate in are enormous! We chose to attend the feeding times in the I&J Ocean exhibit where we were mesmerized by how a stingray feeds. A barista station serving coffee just made the morning come alive! After the Kelp forest exhibit where a group of rockhopper penguins were enjoying their regular morning swim (gallivant) we were told we can stand in a single file in the penguin exhibit and to our surprise, these rockhoppers came strolling past us, proudly strutting their stuff, each one with a signature sound and waddle.....priceless! 

We then walked across the Waterfront to go and see the formidable Silo Hotel with its eye catching beveled windows. Our request to visit the Sky Bar on the rooftop was granted and before we knew it we were gawking at our 360 degree view of Cape Town harbor and cityscape, the sea sparkling on the only wind still day of the holiday. And to then see a Barista with Truth coffee topped it all! So while the boys chose  to enjoy a craft beer, I had my flat white at a dizzy height, and what a flat white it was, one of the best! 

Holiday Coffee 1

Holidaying in a prime tourist spot is both wonderful and challenging at the same time. You find yourself amidst the cosmopolitan vibe, enduring from traffic and endless queues at all the popular hang outs to weaving through the night market crowd and  finding "your" spot at the beach. But before you say, "oh no", that is precisely why being in such a place is absolutely awesome. While fighting your way into Seattle because you KNOW their coffee is great you realise the greater the endurance expected, the greater (and sweeter) the reward is when you take that first sip. Then you look around you and the world slows down, the calm sets in and you notice the small things in life you've been running past/from all year. Such as the delicious Pecan Maple Pastry Plait, or the amazing Zesty Lemon Muffin Zeattle boasts. At Whale Coast Mall the barista West produces the best flat white around, called a "Double Short Latte". American for Flat White. Suddenly you don't see endless queues, but a reward for waiting. The night market crowd delivers a sense of belonging and the beach spot becomes a thank you wave from the sea. And no amount of wind or rain diminishes the riches found when navigating to all the places to see and experience. A sip of good coffee turns traffic into me-time and a cold swim into a massage. A sip of good coffee makes the sea wind salty and sultry. Yes, when you find it, holiday coffee is worth the effort! 

Coffee on the Road 2

Traveling is a funny rhing, when you frequent certain routes all you want to do is just "get there". But then FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) hits you in a big way when you watch local shows such as 'Jan Braai' or 'Vrydag 4 uur'. Especially when those guys go and eat amazing food or drink good coffee or, in this case, decadent milkshakes. And you resolve from your couch to next time take the scenic route. Which is what we did. We turned off from the N2 and took the R324 just before Swellendam, drove through the beautiful Tradouw pass to Barrydale where we found Diesel and Crème. Famous for their milkshakes, we started off by sharing a small peppermint crisp which delivered on the classic Cadbury mint crisp flavour. But then we discovered the real strengths of D&C. Our order was punched in by Leanne on a cell phone. In no time I had my flat white in my hand, perfect temperature for a cold 13°C day in December! Next our breakfast arrived hot and flavoursome, the most perfect soft poached eggs ever!!!  Our takeaway decadent shakes arrived on time as we asked for the bill. The friendly efficient and fast service in my opinion is the best I have ever encountered and is what makes D&C a roaring success. Of course the place is unique with its old world decor and memorabilia such a an antique petrol pump 'boma'  complete with a little outdoor fire for warming  cold hands to a picture frame made from an old car where everybody stops to take unique pictures of themselves and their travel mates.

But the greatest surprise by far was my decadent Morning Glory espresso shake I had in my hand as we drove back through the pass...... WOW the espresso packed a mean punch, enhanced by chantilly-like cream, leaving me wanting MORE! Diesel and Crème, you have won my heart and never again will I shoot past on the highway, I will always plan to head your way for a culinary treat beyond wildest of imaginations.