As I sit here drinking my perfectly brewed freshly ground flavorful black coffee this morning, I find myself thinking back about two years ago when you suggested that we switch from using the K-cups because you were concerned about chemicals. This was several months before we found out you had pancreatic cancer; but even then, you were concerned about possible sources of chemicals that might explain some of your mysterious symptoms and manifestations of inflammation within your body. For you, it was purely a thought that someone planted in your brain to question the unknowns about the source and quality of the coffee in those convenient little pods. I believe it was one of your horsemanship clients who mentioned their practice of roasting their own single-origin organic green coffee beans.
With those simple words, I was empowered to explore and invest in something I had never thought you would appreciate or approve of. You had no idea of the up-front cost of the necessary equipment to store, roast, grind, and brew the perfect cup of coffee. For me it was an opportunity to research and dive into reviews of the various methods and equipment; I even had a spreadsheet comparing the cost of different options. For you, it was merely a practical consideration of trying to be healthier and taking control of one little thing.
You never really fully appreciated the nuances of the coffee experience: the distinctive roaring sound of the beans in the conical grinder; the rich aroma of the fresh grounds; the satisfying eruption of the bloom as precisely heated water contacts the grounds; and the first sip from a pre-heated cup. You didn’t care if the beans were Ethiopian, Peruvian, Columbian, or Costa Rican. It just made you feel better that the small portion of cold-brew coffee you liked in your protein shake was not laden with chemicals or toxins.
Who would have thought that this simple morning ritual of grinding and brewing a small batch of pour-over or French press coffee and sitting in my “morning chair” in the living room or on the front porch with the “hi handsome” mug you gave me would provide a daily opportunity to remember you and reflect on our lives together. That is way more than just a cup of coffee!
Comentarios