Starting a day with un Caffe’ (espresso) is a pleasure that you kindly provide to your spirit while your body is reluctant to show any vital signs.
Caffe’ – a morning ritual, it may sound like a waltz. Actually it can be perfectly represented by “The Blue Danube” (An der schönen blauen Donau) composed by Johann Strauss II.
The sun rinses, the alarm beeps, you open an eye to check the time, snoozing the alarm, rolling to the other side of bed, realising soon the alarm is beeping again. Slowly with uncertain and unstable movement of your arm, you open the curtain and – after ten minutes of nonsense thoughts – you get out of bed, and direct yourself half-asleep into the kitchen. The Mocha machine is in your hand, and your body knows what to do from now on – pouring the water into the tank, inserting the filter and adding the coffee, tightening it and putting the Mocha on the gas.
The house itself is participating in this waltz with you, the first drop of coffee appears, a dark intense black full drop followed by a light sound, then the pressure rises and quickly the sound becomes stronger. The colour from dark becomes light brown, coffee cream appears and finally your coffee is ready. The aroma spreads floral or spicy notes of chocolate, tobacco, fresh hazelnuts – one sip and another and your body is awake, waltzing with the house. The pleasant aromas of dried fruit that reveal hints of figs, prunes, sultanas, dates and apricots, delicate floral aromas surprise you with a reminiscence of jasmine or fields in bloom, turning into notes of honey. Your nose and your palate are in ecstasy – Today is a good day!
Behind a bean of coffee, there are many stories and adventures. An Ethiopian shepherd and his goats’ feed, Sufi monks and their long night prayer, a Dutchman and a naval French officer and fortunes made from a stolen plant, Venetian merchants and the art of trading. Many countries have been bewitched by this black drink. It has been called “Wine of Arabia” and “Devil’s Drink”.
Caffe’ has become to be considered an integral part of our daily lives, it is a social engagement. When someone comes to visit us, it is the first thing we offer – after a welcoming hug, the conversation stars with “Vuoi un caffe?” (do you want a coffee?). When we bump into a friend on the street, the last thing we say before they go is “see you for a coffee next time”.
Having a coffee is more than just having a drink. It provides serenity of spirit, a moment of release. A pleasure, we embrace with joy.
Photo by Janko Ferlič on Unsplash
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