Coffee holds a different significance for each of us.
We love it. We're addicted to it. We enjoy it. We need it to function in a dog-eat-dog world.
It stained your teeth, ruined your shirt, burned your arm, or gave you indigestion.
You drank it with her on your first date, or before the big job interview, while studying for that Bio final, to get over a hangover, or after a rough day.
Maybe you don't even enjoy the taste all that much, but you love it just because it's that one reprieve - the one hiatus you have from a day of monotony and frustration.
Everybody drinks coffee for their own purpose. Everybody takes it a different way. But most importantly, almost everybody drinks it - but unlike water, soda or juice, coffee assumes a more pivotal role in the drinker's life than the other ubiquitous beverages. It's not for quenching thirst, biological survival, or for your daily recommended dosage of vitamin-C.
It's a way of life.
So without further ado, the First Annual Holiday Coffee Compilation. As your host, I will conclude the coffee forum with the final entry.
Enjoy!
-Zach Napolitano
Holidays In A Mug - By Avery Thompson
As if Christmas wasn’t enough, now even ZachNapolitano.com’s Coffee Talk has been overcome by the corporate world, (ahem, Starbucks, ahem...excuse me, I had something in my throat). Therefore, in the interest of our reader, on a sociological and philosophical level all corporate influence has been eradicated for this holiday post. Let us all gather like the shepherds of yore, for a holiday post of biblical importance.
Home Brewing: Regardless of your religion the institution of family is vital to the human spirit. With this in mind, let us explore four common forms of home brewing. After all, nothing brings a family together like a strong cup of joe.
Drip-Coffee: The most common form of brewing in America, these handy machines balance performance with ease. They are a vast improvement over the former king of American coffee making, percolators, for numerous reasons, none more important than actually allowing some flavor into the party. If the coffee’s from drip, it’s worth a sip. Product best for: Chatter, set it, forget it, and find out how everyone’s week has been.
Espresso Machine: The 90’s weren’t simply about extreme sports and gangster rap. Espresso machine fanatics reached cult like status not long ago. With a stronger brew and more intense flavors it is hard to knock these shiny contraptions except for their initial cost and more complicated nature. And though their hype has diminished, its likely that just as Biggie and 2Pac will remain on our airwaves, the espresso machine will never be removed from the kitchens of upper-middle class java fiends. Product best for: People into ultimate performance or those who need a conversation piece. “So you have an espresso machine...” (cue).
French-Press (Press Pot): This lesser seen form of coffee brewing is the James Bond of coffee brewing with its timeless style and humble strength, not to mention, it is extremely easy. Sorry, it just fit in so well. Since this variation is the least common, perhaps it deserves some explanation. Simply, a French-press is a cylinder, often of glass or metal, in which coffee grounds are placed in, then boiling water poured in. The press part of the name comes from the plunger apparatus that fits snugly in the cylinder and when pressed down, condenses the coffee grinds, thus brewing. Product best for: From the hip to traditionalists, anyone who isn’t afraid of a little elbow grease in exchange for a solid cup.
Instant Coffee (Soluble Coffee): Last for a reason. Instant coffee is most often found in homes of strict tea drinkers or those that don’t imbibe in any hot caffeinated beverages (yes, they do exist). It involves mixing a spoonful of dehydrated coffee granules with boiling water. Unfortunately this variation of brewing leaves most of the flavor and rousing experience behind. But, it is coffee, and for that reason can not be spoken in too ill a manner. Instant coffee serves its purpose as a good last resort. So when on an expedition or in the home of the less informed, be thankful. Product best for: Non-coffee drinking pantry stockers, explorers, and those who decided to only read the first and last paragraphs of this article.
Enjoy the holidays, and save a cup for me.
*This week’s edition of Coffee Talk was an editorial contribution of charity. If you would like to make a donation resulting in more articles of this caliber, please contact its writer at AveryHThompson@gmail.com to determine best method of donation.
A Personal Account on Espresso - By Rory Heenan
Espresso can be used in a variety of ways and for a variety of purposes. I come to work most days tired, and off a night of drinking and/or four hours or less of sleep, so I have a need for a boost.
I find it useful to combine three or four “servings” of espresso in a cup, with 2 sugars, 2 creams, and a third of a hot chocolate powder serving.
This process is generally repeated at least 5 times in a business day, giving me a grand total of 15-20 espresso shots daily. I am fortunate enough to have an espresso machine in my office, making it free of charge. Most do not have this luxury. Espresso shots are generally priced between 1-2 dollars and are added to an existing coffee-type beverage. If espresso is not readily available, I recommend getting the strongest bean of coffee nearby and condensing a normal serving size into a 4 ounce creation.
I can honestly say that, without espresso, I would most likely be on the unemployment line.
A Coffee Christmas Story - By Jack Allen Duhamel
When I heard about the Holiday Coffee Edition, I couldn't resist sharing my most enjoyable Coffee tale.
Let me take you back to Christmas Eve, 2005. I was in the center of town, spreading the Christmas spirit with friends and family. Carol after Carol, we serenaded the town throughout the magical night, patiently awaiting St. Nick and the celebration of baby Jesus' birthday. Just as we were about to turn it in for the night, i glanced over to my left to see a poor homeless man, clearly shaken by the winter chill. Feeling generous, I approached the man and handed him a crisp $100 bill.
Walking away I thought to myself, this man is now extremely wealthy by bums standards, but has he been fully taken care of? After a brief deliberation, I came to the conclusion that my $100 offering was LESS than the priceless Christmas cheer i had spread to others through caroling. My journey then shifted over to the local Dunkin Donuts, where I ordered a large decaffeinated (not wanting to keep this poor man awake all night) holiday blend, 2 sugars, 2 creams.
Toothy grin and all, I trotted back to the bum's location. When I got there I was stunned. There were two other bums with him, which wasn't the problem. The problem was all the money I had given him was clearly spent on booze and drugs. Frantically trying to hide his pipe, the bum welcomed me back and introduced me to his sidekicks. Having to go from the best of the best (holiday cheer and caroling) to the dregs of society (back alley swindling addicts) was shocking, causing what I later decided was temporary insanity. I took the Large decaf holiday blend, uncapped it, and threw it at the feet of the bums. Luckily they were wearing shoes which prevented any serious burns, but I clearly let my emotions get the best of me in this situation.
Merry Christmas to all, and long live the Holiday Coffee Edition!
Sins of the Coffee Aficionado - By Daniel Perrone
There are generally two levels to anything that may be the object of enjoyment. The first is what I will call the casual level. I, for instance, exist within these parameters when we’re talking about wine or coffee. It’s enough for a cup of coffee to provide me with gratification. I don’t need to know the specifics – the soil from which its beans grew, the subtle resemblances it may or may not have to other identifiable flavors. I waste enough time thinking about things that in the grand scheme have no bearing on my self. I simply can’t afford to be anything more than a casual fan of coffee.
The next stage of pleasure is what I’d like to focus on. It is the level of the connoisseur. For the connoisseur, it is not enough to derive gratification from a cup of coffee. He must understand the coffee. The sadist gets his rush from hurting others. The connoisseur gets his rush from fooling himself into believing that something exists beyond the basic realm of gratification. If that sounds nihilistic, it is.
The coffee industry is a big one, and most consumers stick to the first level. A cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee, light and sweet, serves as liquid courage for so many of us. It is no exaggeration to say that coffee keeps our world bustling and economy spinning.
But there’s an industry underworld, not in the sense of coffee gangs and violent wars over espresso makers, but in the sense of luxury and extravagance whose existence you would never even begin to consider had I not pointed it out. An example:
The Kopi Luwak is a coffee exported from Indonesia. It is made from berries that have passed through a monkey’s intestines, which manufacturers, connoisseurs, aficionados, and susceptible status seekers claim give the coffee a distinct, delicious taste unrivaled anywhere on Earth.
For the plantation workers, this means spending long hours sifting through monkey excrement so that Japanese businessmen can pay upwards of 50 USD for a cup (sales estimates range from 120-600 USD per pound). I’ve yet to try Kopi Luwak, but I can’t help but wonder who came up with this idea, and whether he or she experimented on various digestive systems before settling on the monkey's.
So what do we take from all this? Self-recognition, of course. We who modestly seek our coffee will always be the backbone of the coffee culture. We're the ones who view this elevation of the coffee bean as a brutal perversion of our moral laws. We're the ones who are satisfied with Dunkin Donuts in the morning. We couldn't afford a cup of this monkey excrement, and to be honest, we wouldn't want it anyway. Here’s to us!
"Macchiato, per favore!" - By Ryan Creamer
Since beginning my studies in Rome, I have grown to appreciate coffee much more than when I was in America. Here in Italy, coffee is about the only thing that is done correctly. Furthermore, its done scientifically. Accordingly, the normal order for a coffee, "caffe," translates to a small cup that we would call 'espresso.' From that point on, there is a veritable panoply of selections which differ based on the amount of coffee, milk, sugar, and alcohol that will be put into each different sized glass. While I was a fan of the cappuccino (frothy milk mixed with coffee in a large cup), I now prefer and in fact depend upon the "caffe macchiato," simple coffee ("caffe or espresso") with a simple quick shot of foamy milk in the typical 'espresso' cup. The taste is a spectacular one, combining fierce caffeination with a subtle edge.
The Italian educational system is a wonderful one: At the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome, the Jesuit capital of the world, students are intellectually nurtured on 45 minutes of Italian language in Theology and Philosophy then permitted a 15 minute break, at which point they all crowd downstairs and shout out their order at the crowded university 'bar.' From 7:30am to 12:15pm, while my Italian, German, and Spanish professors sip beer, I and good number of my classmates faithfully shout out, "macchiato, per favore!"
There´s No Place Like Home - By Mike Renganeschi
I recently moved from New York to Barcelona, Spain and have been enjoying some of the most delicious espresso in the world. No matter where you go in this city you can find great coffee for a good price. My favorite as of now is called a ¨Cafe Cortado¨ and is espresso with just a bit of milk. Throughout the days and nights here the cafes are full of people enjoying their coffee, a cigarette, and a good conversation. I have always thought of coffee in this way. Not only as a delicious drink but also as a creative stimulant and a catalyst for conversation. My confession is that despite the atmosphere and taste of coffee abroad, I miss a 24oz. Dairy Barn coffee, too hot, black as night, and horribly bitter.
A Lifetime of Coffee - By John Napolitano
M love affair with coffee started at a very youg age, around eight years old. My sister and I would have Rice Krispies cereal mixed with our coffee every morning. That's right...not exactly the breakfast of champions. It was also a tradition for our family to have coffee and cake every night. Gee...no wonder why I was considered a little hyper active---I chased my sister around the house like a lunatic. Oh well, those were the good old days. Today the love affair continues, with coffee every morning, every afternoon, and every night, before and after every mountain bike ride, and every business appointment. As a matter of fact, I'm drinking a cup(loving it) right now as I'm writing this entry. So go ahead..call me an addict, but I've always felt the "need for speed."
I find it useful to combine three or four “servings” of espresso in a cup, with 2 sugars, 2 creams, and a third of a hot chocolate powder serving.
This process is generally repeated at least 5 times in a business day, giving me a grand total of 15-20 espresso shots daily. I am fortunate enough to have an espresso machine in my office, making it free of charge. Most do not have this luxury. Espresso shots are generally priced between 1-2 dollars and are added to an existing coffee-type beverage. If espresso is not readily available, I recommend getting the strongest bean of coffee nearby and condensing a normal serving size into a 4 ounce creation.
I can honestly say that, without espresso, I would most likely be on the unemployment line.
A Coffee Christmas Story - By Jack Allen Duhamel
When I heard about the Holiday Coffee Edition, I couldn't resist sharing my most enjoyable Coffee tale.
Let me take you back to Christmas Eve, 2005. I was in the center of town, spreading the Christmas spirit with friends and family. Carol after Carol, we serenaded the town throughout the magical night, patiently awaiting St. Nick and the celebration of baby Jesus' birthday. Just as we were about to turn it in for the night, i glanced over to my left to see a poor homeless man, clearly shaken by the winter chill. Feeling generous, I approached the man and handed him a crisp $100 bill.
Walking away I thought to myself, this man is now extremely wealthy by bums standards, but has he been fully taken care of? After a brief deliberation, I came to the conclusion that my $100 offering was LESS than the priceless Christmas cheer i had spread to others through caroling. My journey then shifted over to the local Dunkin Donuts, where I ordered a large decaffeinated (not wanting to keep this poor man awake all night) holiday blend, 2 sugars, 2 creams.
Toothy grin and all, I trotted back to the bum's location. When I got there I was stunned. There were two other bums with him, which wasn't the problem. The problem was all the money I had given him was clearly spent on booze and drugs. Frantically trying to hide his pipe, the bum welcomed me back and introduced me to his sidekicks. Having to go from the best of the best (holiday cheer and caroling) to the dregs of society (back alley swindling addicts) was shocking, causing what I later decided was temporary insanity. I took the Large decaf holiday blend, uncapped it, and threw it at the feet of the bums. Luckily they were wearing shoes which prevented any serious burns, but I clearly let my emotions get the best of me in this situation.
Merry Christmas to all, and long live the Holiday Coffee Edition!
Sins of the Coffee Aficionado - By Daniel Perrone
There are generally two levels to anything that may be the object of enjoyment. The first is what I will call the casual level. I, for instance, exist within these parameters when we’re talking about wine or coffee. It’s enough for a cup of coffee to provide me with gratification. I don’t need to know the specifics – the soil from which its beans grew, the subtle resemblances it may or may not have to other identifiable flavors. I waste enough time thinking about things that in the grand scheme have no bearing on my self. I simply can’t afford to be anything more than a casual fan of coffee.
The next stage of pleasure is what I’d like to focus on. It is the level of the connoisseur. For the connoisseur, it is not enough to derive gratification from a cup of coffee. He must understand the coffee. The sadist gets his rush from hurting others. The connoisseur gets his rush from fooling himself into believing that something exists beyond the basic realm of gratification. If that sounds nihilistic, it is.
The coffee industry is a big one, and most consumers stick to the first level. A cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee, light and sweet, serves as liquid courage for so many of us. It is no exaggeration to say that coffee keeps our world bustling and economy spinning.
But there’s an industry underworld, not in the sense of coffee gangs and violent wars over espresso makers, but in the sense of luxury and extravagance whose existence you would never even begin to consider had I not pointed it out. An example:
The Kopi Luwak is a coffee exported from Indonesia. It is made from berries that have passed through a monkey’s intestines, which manufacturers, connoisseurs, aficionados, and susceptible status seekers claim give the coffee a distinct, delicious taste unrivaled anywhere on Earth.
For the plantation workers, this means spending long hours sifting through monkey excrement so that Japanese businessmen can pay upwards of 50 USD for a cup (sales estimates range from 120-600 USD per pound). I’ve yet to try Kopi Luwak, but I can’t help but wonder who came up with this idea, and whether he or she experimented on various digestive systems before settling on the monkey's.
So what do we take from all this? Self-recognition, of course. We who modestly seek our coffee will always be the backbone of the coffee culture. We're the ones who view this elevation of the coffee bean as a brutal perversion of our moral laws. We're the ones who are satisfied with Dunkin Donuts in the morning. We couldn't afford a cup of this monkey excrement, and to be honest, we wouldn't want it anyway. Here’s to us!
"Macchiato, per favore!" - By Ryan Creamer
Since beginning my studies in Rome, I have grown to appreciate coffee much more than when I was in America. Here in Italy, coffee is about the only thing that is done correctly. Furthermore, its done scientifically. Accordingly, the normal order for a coffee, "caffe," translates to a small cup that we would call 'espresso.' From that point on, there is a veritable panoply of selections which differ based on the amount of coffee, milk, sugar, and alcohol that will be put into each different sized glass. While I was a fan of the cappuccino (frothy milk mixed with coffee in a large cup), I now prefer and in fact depend upon the "caffe macchiato," simple coffee ("caffe or espresso") with a simple quick shot of foamy milk in the typical 'espresso' cup. The taste is a spectacular one, combining fierce caffeination with a subtle edge.
The Italian educational system is a wonderful one: At the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome, the Jesuit capital of the world, students are intellectually nurtured on 45 minutes of Italian language in Theology and Philosophy then permitted a 15 minute break, at which point they all crowd downstairs and shout out their order at the crowded university 'bar.' From 7:30am to 12:15pm, while my Italian, German, and Spanish professors sip beer, I and good number of my classmates faithfully shout out, "macchiato, per favore!"
There´s No Place Like Home - By Mike Renganeschi
I recently moved from New York to Barcelona, Spain and have been enjoying some of the most delicious espresso in the world. No matter where you go in this city you can find great coffee for a good price. My favorite as of now is called a ¨Cafe Cortado¨ and is espresso with just a bit of milk. Throughout the days and nights here the cafes are full of people enjoying their coffee, a cigarette, and a good conversation. I have always thought of coffee in this way. Not only as a delicious drink but also as a creative stimulant and a catalyst for conversation. My confession is that despite the atmosphere and taste of coffee abroad, I miss a 24oz. Dairy Barn coffee, too hot, black as night, and horribly bitter.
A Lifetime of Coffee - By John Napolitano
M love affair with coffee started at a very youg age, around eight years old. My sister and I would have Rice Krispies cereal mixed with our coffee every morning. That's right...not exactly the breakfast of champions. It was also a tradition for our family to have coffee and cake every night. Gee...no wonder why I was considered a little hyper active---I chased my sister around the house like a lunatic. Oh well, those were the good old days. Today the love affair continues, with coffee every morning, every afternoon, and every night, before and after every mountain bike ride, and every business appointment. As a matter of fact, I'm drinking a cup(loving it) right now as I'm writing this entry. So go ahead..call me an addict, but I've always felt the "need for speed."
I Love All Things Coffee…Except Coffee - By Holly
For as long as I can remember, I have always disliked the bitter taste of coffee. I’ve tried to “make it taste good” in so many ways: creamers, brown sugar, white sugar, sugar cubes, Splenda, Equal, Sweet n’ Low, whole milk, 2% milk, skim milk, cinnamon, cool whip, and even “iced coffee” and cookies- but none of them ever worked. I am a tea drinker by nature, but oddly enough, I have always enjoyed the aroma of coffee, and the taste of anything “flavored” coffee- coffee ice cream, coffee yogurt, and coffee flavored hard candies. I enjoy the aroma of coffee perking, coffee grinds, coffee beans, and coffee scented candles; they all remind me of so many wonderful things. I can just smell a cup of coffee and suddenly a stream of vivid memories flashes through my mind. With just one hint of coffee in the air, I am reminded of:
Early childhood: The sound of coffee perking in the kitchen just before we gather for breakfast on Sunday mornings.
Childhood: Being too old to believe in Santa Clause, but too young to “stay up with the adults,” sitting awake in my bed, in the dark, and listening to the sound of laughter echoing from the dining room as the adults gather to share their memories of the night’s Christmas party, and “when they were younger…”
Adolescence: Ditching class to go to the local 7-11 to hang out, smoke cigarettes, and talk about anything that isn’t school related. Or…buying my first period teacher (Mr. O’Brien) a 16 0z. cup of coffee “light and sweet” and a jelly donut so I could be marked “present” on those days when I felt like going to the beach instead…
Young Adulthood: Being an undergraduate and watching my boyfriend walk out from the deli with a large cup of coffee (with whole milk) and a little surprise- black tea for me.
My Early 20s: The smell of being in the faculty room. I am now a teacher, and an adult…and I still watch people smile as they take that first sip of the bitter energizer that suddenly puts them in the greatest mood, ready to face the day, and able to continue to work in the greatest profession in the world, being an educator.
The Test - By Zach Napolitano
In the film A Bronx Tale, the young protagonist Cologero is offered a piece of unique dating advice from his idol Sonny, who also happens to be the local mob boss - operating his “business” out of the restaurant next to Colergo’s family’s apartment. . Sonny informs Cologero that while on a first date with any particular woman, if she does not reach over to unlock the driver’s side car door for you, after you have chivalrously opened her door, then she is to be dumped immediately. But if she is in fact courteous enough to unlock your door; Then she has the potential to become “one of the greats” in your life and henceforth is a keeper.
I also used a test of sorts to determine if the girl I had began seeing would be “one of the greats” - Only my test was not premeditated nor was it so simple to administer. But like Cologero, this tale did end in the Bronx.
We decided to stop at Starbucks before my family, the girl in question, and I took the one hour drive from my home in Long Island to her’s in Westchester. A sort of a group drop-off, if you will. Because I have a personal policy to NEVER, under any circumstances order a coffee or coffee based beverage under 20 ounces, I went with the ‘Venti’ sized Mocha Latte - which contains enough chocolate, caffeine, and whipped cream to upset the digestive balance of even the most veteran java consumer. Since the Mocha latte was mistakenly served at around room temperature, I was able to gulp it down well before we even made it to the expressway.
In Lynbrook I had the chills. In Queens my stomach was rumbling. By the time we approached the exits for the Bronx on I-95, I was in full-on panic mode; A state of intestinal emergency! It was to the point where I had no choice but risk the utter embarrassment and possible long-term consequences of admitting in front of the girl I had just began dating, that if my dad didn’t pull over soon, things would get really ugly...or messy.
I don’t remember much of what happened between the time I demanded that my dad exit the highway as soon as possible, and when I was in the treacherous bathroom stall of a McDonald's in the Bronx. I guess I was too focused on not allowing my sphincter to contract. But I do remember how I felt walking back to the car after I had….fixed the problem; embarrassed, nervous, unsure of what her reaction would be. But the beauty of the situation was that there was no situation. We joked about what had happened and moved on. She wasn’t disgusted, she didn’t think any less of me - And she shouldn’t have. But we all know that people can be overly judgmental of or turned-off of by the most insignificant human flaws and fallacies. Needless to say she passed my test, one I didn’t know I was giving and one she didn’t know she was taking. And I have coffee to thank for helping me find “one of the greats.”
Week 16 - In the league where they play for pay...
Pittsburgh (-11) OVER ST LOUIS
Dallas (-11) OVER CAROLINA
CLEVELAND (-3) OVER Cincinnati
Green Bay (-9) OVER Chicago
Houston (+7) OVER INDY
DETROIT (-5) OVER Kansas City
BUFFALO (+3) OVER New York Giants
OAKLAND (+14) OVER Jacksonville
Philadelphia (+3.5) OVER NEW ORLEANS
ARIZONA (-10.5) OVER Atlanta
Tampa Bay (-6) OVER San Francisco
Miami (+22) OVER NEW ENGLAND
New York Jets (+8.5) OVER TENNESSEE
SAN DIEGO (+9) OVER Denver
Washington (+6.5) OVER MINNESOTA
SEAHAWKS (-10.5) OVER Ravens
Last Week (9-7-0) - Season Total (113-98-10)
well done everybody
ReplyDeleteWell...my love affair with coffee started at a very youg age, around eight years old. My sister and I would have "Rice Krispies" cereal mixed with our coffee every morning. That's right...not exactly the breakfast of champions. It was also a tradition for our family to have coffee and cake every night. Gee...no wonder why I was considered a little hyper active---chased my sister around the house like a lunatic. Oh well, those were the good old days. Today the love affair continues, with coffee every morning, every afternoon, and every night, before and after every mountain bike ride, and every business appointment. As a matter of fact, I'm drinking a cup(loving it) right now as I'm writing this blog. So go ahead..call me an addict, but I've always felt the "need for speed."
ReplyDeleteWow Zach, thats must've been a dicey spot,....
ReplyDeletePs. who's that Jack kid, what a hero!!!