The "old" pretender, my "retro" coffee machine went kaputt.
I mightn't have noticed for weeks - I am not a heavy coffee drinker (till I was 50 I didn't drink any coffee at all - it was too bitter for my child-like taste). I still prefer strong tea.
Now I drink at the most 2 cups per day. (My neighbour told me about her awful headache- she was, her words, on "coffee-withdrawal" -- later I found out that she drinks two strong cups per day - tja).
Often I prepare my cup with the Nespresso machine - not good for the environment, I know, and I suspect not good for the body either, with those aluminium capsules... But a coffe machine is not good at preparing one cup - and I tried it with a porcelain filter: not very convincing either.
The Flying Dutchman drinks coffee like a fish. That's why I used the machine. He is highly amused that I call her my "Russell & Hobbs" - well-knowing that I must say "Russell Hobbs" - but I don't care, I do it my way 😋. And Amazon came very handy in these days of closed shops: next day I had a new "Russell & Hobbs" - though a different design - fake "retro" is out - and that is not a big loss, I think.
And that coffee smells delicious - on Sundays I add a little oriental trick: I add a slightly crushed pod of cardamom - the Arabs put one into the nozzle of the coffeepot.
Smells like heaven... Add a lump of sugar and a little bit of cream and there you are - in heaven.
I always enjoy my cup of coffee which I make in a cafetière, but I do limit myself to no more than two coffees per day. However, when I have been out for a whole day I most enjoy a refreshing mug, yes a mug, of English tea.
ReplyDeleteDear Rosemary, I also love the smell of coffee and the kick it gives. In my opinion coffee is for the intellect - tea is for my soul.
DeleteThe feeling of a warm mug in my hands, early in the morning on a now icy balcony: pure joy!
I used to depend on coffee, but I seem to not need it now. I drink tea too.
ReplyDeleteThat is good, isn't it: to love something, but not be depending on it.
DeleteThough in very rough times a cup of hot strong tea with sugar is a sort of remedy.
Smells delicious yes, but it give me palpitations. Like Tom, I stick to tea - pint mugs.
ReplyDeleteDear Tasker, palpitation is no joke, so it is better to abstain from coffee. Tea I prefer too - big mug, warm in the hands.
DeleteI only drink green tea and have been doing so for over 10 years. I have never been a coffee drinker except when abroad when I would never order a tea unless I was in Morocco where I would drink mint tea or lemon tea.
ReplyDeleteI know that green tea is very healthy, Rachel, and once in a while I try it again (preparing it the right way). Honestly: though I am grateful to get it at our Japanese restaurant, sometimes adorned with little dried jasmine flowers, its not my favourite. Too much intellect, too little fire.
DeleteMint tea prepared from a bundle of fresh mint sprigs and honey I like.
Coffee brewing is a delicious smell. Whenever I have tried to drink it all I taste is oily and bitter. I enjoy tea. I like Earl Grey and Irish breakfast tea the best.
ReplyDeleteYes, the smell of coffee, dear Emma, is very alluring! But without sugar and cream (or milk) I find it bitter, too. Sometimes I drink Lady Grey tea, as for me the strong Bergamotte of Earl Grey is too much perfume - but in the morning, very first thing: a cup of deep almost red ordinary strong "brick" tea - with sugar and milk, please!
DeleteCoffee definitely coffee, black with sugar.
ReplyDeleteEven een bakkie doen nu en dan ga ik nog even een blokje om, met mijn stappenteller. Het is wel al donker.
Safe neighbourhood here.
I take my first cup of coffee long after the tea -- at around 10 o'clock, when I need a "pick-me-up", Guusje.
DeleteJe hebt ook een stappenteller? Ik vind het heel nuttig, daarmee ben ik echt gemotiveerd om te lopen - ik doe 10.000 stapjes bijna iedere dag - maar niet als het is donker - hoewel het is ook echt zeker hier.
Years ago there was no coffee in the house one weekend. I could not wake up. It frightened my sister, who "borrowed" a pot of coffee from the neighbor. It frightened me, too. I cut way back on the coffee.
ReplyDeleteThat would have frightened me too, Joanne - I prefer to be master (I think in modern times I should say 'mistress', but I don't :-) of myself.
DeleteThough the craving for my very first cup of tea is not far from being - ehem: let's call it 'very demanding' (I always take a few tea bags with me when I travel, in case that a hostess has only camomile tea...) - but as long as it motivates me to get up (not: force me!) I think it ok.
I love my coffee in the morning too. I grind the beans and brew my coffee in a French Press coffee pot. My holistic MD recommends dark roast coffee because it has less caffeine in it. Also, I like the strong flavor of dark roast. I enjoy tee as well and brew tea every afternoon in one of my teapots.
ReplyDeleteWow, you are a real afficionado, Susan - to grind (!) the fresh coffee beans is a step further! I do have an electric grinder - but I do not use it any more, am too lazy, I think.
DeleteInteresting advice of your MD - having a low blood pressure I sometimes want the caffeine - and am a bit sensitive against the acidity of too strong dark coffee.
So you have a collection of teapots? They are heartwarming vessels - so beautiful and friendly! (I read with a sort of envy about British tea urns when in older time the women made tea on a church gathering - so lovely!)
Yes, I have a collection of tea pots. Some are family heirlooms and others have been purchased abroad. I like brewing tea in a tea pot and letting it steep before pouring. My family/friends have various tastes for tea and I like having a good assortment on hand. Something for everyone.
DeleteWow, that sounds enticing! And your friends and family have the possibility for a vast choice - more pots on tea warmers on one table, a great idea!
DeleteBefore our Covid lockdown, there were 3 espresso bars within .5k of my house, open all day until at least 5 PM. Blissful! But that ended, until we were at least allowed to leave the house for take-away coffees.
ReplyDeleteSpouse bought the best ever present this year... a home-based espresso machine :))))
I miss the espresso bars, too, Hels! And the "normal" cafes (they offer now "coffee to go" - but I will not drink coffee from a plastic beaker - not only because of the littering of the sea but also because for me it is a question of taste - epicure and aesthetic - or, to quote Jane Austen: "Sense and Sensibility" :-)
DeleteI think your husband's present is wonderful - a perfect source of joy!