Java Jumble – annette-gagliardi

Dawn’s Brew

Above the whipped-cream spiral

lacing my morning

coffee, I see dawn stroll

between branches of early mist

like souls unseen. Shades of purple

color the morning sky.

I yawn and stretch to escape

sleep and sigh.

Ever-so soft and slow slips

today’s streaming,

on its steadfast journey—

sans my dreaming.

I smell my coffee—dawn’s

formal “black tie”.

The brew in my cup

is drunk up—PELL-MELL,

not lasting as long as I want it to.

Dawn’s stroll doesn’t

either.—Like a rung bell

the day has arrived, with all

I must do; and you, my savory brew,

you’re swell—

holding my morning together

like glue.

~Annette Gagliardi

Photo by, devin-avery-5iRgh_G0eRY-unsplash.jpg

Lots of folks have lots to say about something lots of us drink lots of, every day.

Col. Stoopnagle says the word “coffee” comes from two other words: “Cof”, meaning ‘cup’, and ‘fee’, meaning ‘tip’. Thus, when drinking coffee, we ‘tip the cup’. —and the waitress.

Shepherds in the ninth century noticed their goats got extremely excited after eating the red and purple fruit from the coffee bean plant. Thus, the beginning of the beverage of choice for folks all around the world.

“A coffee bean is a seed of the Coffea plant and the source for coffee. It is the pit inside the red or purple fruit often referred to as a cherry. Just like ordinary cherries, the coffee fruit is also a so-called stone fruit.” (from Wikipedia) The cherries grow in clusters like grapes on the narrow branches of the Coffea bush. The important ingredient is caffeine, which is a toxin and the plant’s natural defense against herbivory. Caffeine is also a stimulant and attracts pollinators like honeybees.

The cultivation of the caffeine from the Coffea plant is used in the beverage coffee, and creates a tea (coffee cherry tea and coffee-leaf tea) and is used in many brands of soft drinks and pre-packaged teas.

“I have measured my life with coffee spoons.“ ~T.S.Elliot

Even though you could chew on the cherry or pit and get a boost, some people think coffee is not very good unless the beans have been ground, spooned from the container, moistened, boiled and served up hot. There are those who must do some magic to the coffee grounds before the water is added—something with an egg or an egg shell.

Other’s want their coffee prepared — creamed or mocha-ed, thick in a demitasse cup (French for small cup) or iced in a tall glass, so they can watch the cream swirl as it meanders through the ice cubes. Some folks squirrel away the hot, hot beverage in a tall, thermal cup with a cover that offers a small square opening to sip the scalding coffee—the better to burn your tongue!

My spouse, along with millions of others uses the instant granules, which gives him an immediate hot cup without the wait of the coffee maker.

There is a study out that says drinking coffee every day will help you live longer. Dr. Claudia Kawas at the conference for the American Association for the Advancement of Science said, “I have no explanation for it, but I do firmly believe that modest drinking improves longevity.” According to the study drinking two cups of coffee a day decreased your chances of dying by 10 percent. This same study suggested you could decrease your chances of premature death by 10 percent by drinking two glasses of wine or beer daily.

Photo by clay-banks-_wkd7XBRfU4-unsplash

There has grown a whole industry around the growing, brewing and drinking of coffee. And since the world wide web has opened up digital media, there is a growing industry on the discussion of growing, brewing and drinking of coffee.

“Nothing slaps you in the face, makes your eyes open wide and kicks you out of bed like a strong cup of coffee.” ~ A. Gagliardi

Any way you prefer your ‘Cup O Joe’, there is a place for you to ruminate while you enjoy the brew.

There are many places on the internet that discuss coffee and all the nuances that go into picking, roasting, serving, drinking and enjoying coffee. Coffee bloggers create the magic and the ongoing interest in America’s favorite cup.

Here are a few to check out:

Alison Fox offers a nice blog about the coolest coffee houses in the U.S. It’s worth a read, and I’m not above sharing what other folks have written. (see the link below)

CoffeeCompass.com owners are coffee purists, who discuss and instruct about how to brew, drink. According to Michael Butterworth, the founder of the Coffee Compass. Coffee Making is an art. Which if not done carefully, can ruin the taste of many. Thus, proper care must be taken since it’s sowing, to harvesting, grinding as well as also during coffee preparation. In their articles, they will share various news, events as well as information regarding coffee. They have explored many places for getting the best kind of coffee.

Coffee Maker is one of the most influential blogs of 2020 (according to their website.)

Freshpresso.net is a place where you will find up-to-date information and reviews about the best espresso and coffee machines, as well as up to date info on all things coffee. They have several blogs that compare: Best home Espresso machine, best insulated cup, best single serve coffee, etc.

Fried Coffee.com offers a place to learn about the world of coffee. It is for those seeking a “Great Coffee Experience”. This site offers DIY guides, Coffee brewing techniques, and buyers guides to coffee and equipment.

Sprudge.com includes podcasts, maps, lots of visuals with background music, the latest news, plus a scratch and sniff competition. They offer 101 interesting facts about coffee, as one interesting blog.

The Coffee Concierge welcomes you to discover how to brew your best home-made cup of coffee, discover great coffee, the best brewing equipment, and other fun coffee content (without the snobbery)! They review all paraphernalia pertaining to coffee.

Photo by nathan-dumlao-ikU3J1nr52w-unsplash.

Coffee Making is an Art.

It takes skill to create a good cup of coffee. The art of selecting several varieties and amounts of coffee beans, the blending and roasting of beans creates a specific blend—the roaster creating by expressing himself/his tastes and expertise to create the perfect coffee for your pot. Next the brew master selects the right amount of beans, the specific grind and the right temperature to brew the ground beans. He—or she creates a perfect cup of coffee. They must have a passion for their work in order for us to love the cup offered. People involved in coffee express themselves in the craft just as other artists do.

“Sprudge” is a made-up word for the coffee crumbs, blotches, and splats present on a barista’s clothing and shoes after a long shift on bar. We’ll use it in a sentence: “Listen, you finish dividing up the tips, I gotta go get this sprudge off my shoes.” “Sprudge” is also a portmanteau of the words “Espresso” and “Drudge”. (see the resource list below.)

What a sensory experience, coffee! The aroma, the look, the flavors all combine to make something memorable. A spill can be unnerving. So, if your first taste of java leaves a spot of sprudge on your shoe, lean down and wipe if off, then sit back up and finish your cup.