A hot cup of Coffee!

I believe humans get a lot done, not because we're smart, but because we have thumbs so we can make coffee. ~Flash Rosenberg

Born in a typical south Indian family, Coffee is something I 've grown along with. Though I wasn’t allowed to actually taste it till was a certain years old, I remember I used to be fascinated about it even before tasting it. The way my mother would carefully brew the coffee in her ‘filter’, the strong aroma it had, the way it was served in a nice 'ever-silver davara-tumbler’ (a south-Indian equivalent of cup and saucer made of stainless steel) had me very interested in this beverage.

I was initiated into coffee-drinking when I entered college. I spent a year in hostel. Our hostel being inside the campus, we used to get up just in time to brush, change and run for classes. In the morning hurry, we rushed to the canteen, nibbled at our breakfast but most importantly, grabbed our mug of coffee, which was our means of keeping awake during the first few hours of lectures! Now anyone who’s stayed in a hostel would know how the coffee would be in a hostel, very watery and mild, it lacked the ‘kick’ of a good coffee and let me not even mention about the flavor. But yet, it was our means of survival and we devoured it!

At home, a hot cup of coffee at around 4.00 in the noon is almost a ritual. Something that I look forward to even today when I visit my parents. It’s almost as if the coffee has something like a ‘talking serum’ or whatever and makes one want to open out and talk. I recall my mom and me always finding some interesting stories and family gossips to share over a cup of coffee. Hmm, I wonder if it’s probably why coffee is such a preferred drink at most of the ‘ponnu-pakara’ events (Event where the prospective groom is taken to meet the girl for the first time, in a traditional arranged marriage set up). :)

The modern day café’s cropping up in every other street nowadays has a profound influence in our lives. I, for one, love the CCD’s and Baristas. I am a big fan of theirs and a loyal patron. I love the concept of just hanging out with friends & family and having a steaming cup of good coffee. I know, one can do so even in a normal roadside hotel…but it’s something about the ambiance and the setting that one can’t really compare. I recall lot of fun times I have had with my friends and colleagues, all in these coffee shops. I remember a coffee shop in Bangalore which served exceptionally good coffee; it was within 10 minutes walk from my office. My friend and I used to unfailingly take a walk everyday after work and relish every drop of the drink.

And coffee at work, need I even mention its significance! It’s our savior, it’s our oxygen. I remember someone joking; the ‘Most Efficient Worker of this Office’ Award should go to the Coffee machine! :) And why not, I say!

I know, I haven’t mentioned anything about the ill-effects of coffee and caffeine….nah, why spoil such an ode to the finest beverage by mentioning that. All’s well when kept in moderation, I believe. And all I can say to the people who do not have coffee is, …What a pity!!!