Espresso Enthusiasts

[Scepticalscribe]

I found ironing a necessary tool for me while in the Army. Came in handy.

Yes, I remember at our very first few pre-deployment briefings, how Army officers recommended that I bring a portable iron with me on my first deployment to Bosnia in the mid 1990s.

Actually, I was astounded, - this would not have been on my list of things to bring - but they stressed that one had to 'look smart and professional' even though we were working in a country that had been wracked and wrecked by war.

 

[0388631]

I'm not one for Indian food. It's not something I enjoy, but today's awful weather called for something filling and spicy. I made what I believe is called chicken saag. No rice, but I did make some nice chapati rich with garlic, chili olive oil and fresh cilantro. Incredible. I made the curry extra hot just because. No heartburn issues either. A win in my book. I've had this dish before. Several times since I first tasted Indian cuisine in my university days. Honestly, if we had any yogurt, I'd have made some chicken tikka or tandoori chicken. I'm more surprised we didn't have any yogurt in the house.

Anyway, quad espresso Americano in a travel thermos. Going to be a long night.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I'm not one for Indian food. It's not something I enjoy, but today's awful weather called for something filling and spicy. I made what I believe is called chicken saag. No rice, but I did make some nice chapati rich with garlic, chili olive oil and fresh cilantro. Incredible. I made the curry extra hot just because. No heartburn issues either. A win in my book. I've had this dish before. Several times since I first tasted Indian cuisine in my university days. Honestly, if we had any yogurt, I'd have made some chicken tikka or tandoori chicken. I'm more surprised we didn't have any yogurt in the house.

Anyway, quad espresso Americano in a travel thermos. Going to be a long night.

I love Indian food, and it is not all equally spicy.

The food from northern India is a lot less 'hot', as is that from Pakistan and Afghanistan, where the spicing is very mild.

Actually, I have yet to meet an Asian cuisine I dislike, I find I love them all.

Besides, for those who are vegetarian, Indian food - or cuisine - offers a rare example of a world cuisine where vegetarian dishes are given equal prominence to those featuring meat or fish. This is a cuisine where it is perfectly possible to eat delicious & healthy food - and have a wide variety of palate teasing & tasty food - even if you are a vegetarian.

Back to coffee: I need - not just want, but need - a mug of coffee. Ethiopian, preferably.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A cold, crisp winter's day was greeted with my usual welcome mug of Ethiopian coffee. Now, it may be time for another.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Anticipating a second cup of coffee this morning...I think I'll take a late train to work.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Anticipating a second cup of coffee this morning...I think I'll take a late train to work.

I had a mug warming with hot water preparatory to having a second cup of coffee, but received a phone call; clothes I had bought and required some adjustment are ready.

So - a dilemma of an attractive sort: Do I finish preparing coffee (Ethiopian), or take a taxi to the city to collect my (new) clothes, - and perhaps - buy some more Ethiopian coffee, as well, while I am there?

 

[mobilehaathi]

I had a mug warming with hot water preparatory to having a second cup of coffee, but received a phone call; clothes I had bought and required some adjustment are ready.

So - a dilemma of an attractive sort: Do finish preparing coffee (Ethiopian), or take a taxi to the city to collect my (new) clothes, - and perhaps - buy some more Ethiopian coffee, as well, while I am there?

Can't you squeeze in the coffee before heading out?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Can't you squeeze in the coffee before heading out?

It is getting dark already, - and to my astonished surprise, last night was very cold - we had a fair amount of ice this morning, and - as the carer had headed out for two hours earlier, I got her to stock up on salt as I intend to salt the driveway and the paths outside later this evening.

In truth, out is not normally this icy so early in the winter.

 

[mobilehaathi]

It is getting dark already, - and to my astonished surprise, last night was very cold - we had a fair amount of ice this morning, and - as the carer had headed out for two hours earlier, I got her to stock up on salt as I intend to salt the driveway and the paths outside later this evening.

In truth, out is not normally this icy so early in the winter.

Oh, dark, right, you're a bit ahead of me. It has yet to strike 8am here....

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Oh, dark, right, you're a bit ahead of me. It has yet to strike 8am here....

Nearly four in the afternoon here; time to get my skates on - metaphorically, and, I sincerely hope, not literally.

 

[0388631]

Rain stopped some time in the last 3 hours. Nearly 24 hours of straight rain, from drizzle to heavy showering.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

So, I managed to get into my favourite coffee shop, and have stocked up on some wonderful freshly roasted Ethiopian coffee.
[doublepost=1479750717][/doublepost]I also bought some white tea, visited the French bakery (yes, an apple tart, - small - chocolate cakes, a small pear tart, two mince pies - Mother loves mince pies), picked up the stuff that was ready, and er.......

Yes, that is it, I think.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Had a lovely surprise this morning when I got into the office. A colleague had bought me these beans. Comes in a nice wooden barrel. No idea if they're any good or not but love the barrel.

Meanwhile, outside (back home now) is dreadful. Cold, icy rain and strong winds. I can safely say I shall not be venturing out tonight for my daily walk. I've already had a hot bath and sit in front of fire in my "lounge wear" (I'll spare you the pics!). Anyway, here's the barrel.

 

[JamesMike]

Had a lovely surprise this morning when I got into the office. A colleague had bought me these beans. Comes in a nice wooden barrel. No idea if they're any good or not but love the barrel.

Meanwhile, outside (back home now) is dreadful. Cold, icy rain and strong winds. I can safely say I shall not be venturing out tonight for my daily walk. I've already had a hot bath and sit in front of fire in my "lounge wear" (I'll spare you the pics!). Anyway, here's the barrel.

I like Kenya coffee.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I like Kenya coffee.

My coffee specialists had a brand new Kenyan coffee that they swore was 'superlative'; anyway, I bought some, along with the Ethiopian coffee I had headed in there to buy, (and white tea, including what they called 'White Earl' - a white Earl Grey tea, the scent, or aroma, was simply sublime).

 

[mobilehaathi]

My coffee specialists had a brand new Kenyan coffee that they swore was 'superlative'; anyway, I bought some, along with the Ethiopian coffee I had headed in there to buy, (and white tea, including what they called 'White Earl' - a white Earl Grey tea, the scent, or aroma, was simply sublime).

Let us know how you like it.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

A pot of coffee seemed the best response to the demands of the morning.

Thus, the Le Creuset French Press (raspberry coloured) is playing host to Ethiopian coffee. The substitute career and I are both enjoying it.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Having made a full pot of lovely hot - yes, hot - coffee, a second cup lay easily within reach. Yum.

 

[JamesMike]

Just finished brewing a cup of Kenyan coffee in the French Press with a touch of organic honey.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Just finished brewing a cup of Kenyan of French Press coffee with a touch of organic honey.

Enjoy your Kenyan coffee.

Yesterday, when stocking up on some Ethiopian coffee, I bought some Kenyan coffee - apparently from a small, high quality source - that the owner described as 'fantastic' and stated that it was some of the best Kenyan coffee he had ever tasted. Looking forward to trying it and will let you know how it is.

 

[0388631]

I want a tiny barrel.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I want a tiny barrel.

Yes, but I'd imagine that you would also want it to be quite airtight, as well, once it has been opened.

We can't have our coffee courteously - or worse, enthusiastically - shaking hands with every molecule of oxygen that passes its way, now, can we?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Thoroughly enjoyed my Ethiopian coffee so much, I think it is time to prepare a second cup of highland nectar.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Finishing my second mug of excellent Ethiopian coffee from the Yirgacheffe region of the highlands of Ethiopia.

 

[SactoGuy18]

By the way, I've ordered a three-cup Classic Chemex coffeemaker plus the filters designed for it. Hopefully, I will finally get a really decent up of black coffee for a change.