Archive for October 29th, 2009
I’m not ashamed to admit that up until a year ago, I knew next to nothing about coffee. Back then, I merely looked at the stuff as fuel for the early morning – a substance that wasn’t even meant to be tasted, let alone savored. That’s why I didn’t discriminate between the 50-cent cups available at gas stations and the higher-end gourmet beverages one can order at a swanky restaurant.
That all changed one morning when I was sitting in a diner with a friend right before work. She implored me to try an espresso shot, promising that it tastes great and offers a swift pick-me-up as well. I remained skeptical until the small shot appeared on the counter and its rich aroma wafted up toward my nostrils. Before even drinking it, I was hooked. Over time, I’ve become just the sort of coffee snob that I once resented so strongly.
Now I have a few cappuccino makers of my own, and I’m constantly trying to create the perfect shot of espresso. There are so many variables associated with what at first appears to be a simple process. One must get the water pressure and temperature just right, the coffee must be ground to the right consistency, and the coffee should be packed down only so much. It’s the sort of passionate pursuit of perfection that could take a lifetime.