You won’t believe me when I tell you I didn’t intend for my first post to Coffee Break to literally be about coffee. But it’s true! A couple of weeks ago I set out to taste test espresso at my favorite neighborhood coffee haunts in service of my afternoon coffee habit break.
Realizing this wasn’t a sustainable practice in terms of both my money and time budgets to do this daily, I decided to thrift a Moka pot. This after much mental to-ing and fro-ing between replacing my French press carafe (having smashed it to smithereens by accident a few months ago and prompting this adventure) versus espresso and cappuccino machines versus a pour over kit versus on and on with various coffee contraptions. My goal was to avoid anything requiring, electricity. Reason being, we like to have an alternate to our electric percolator for when the electricity goes out during storms or randomly, because New Orleans. So this ruled out an espresso and cappuccino machine. I also wanted something design forward so it looks good on display in my kitchen and, frankly, because I like good design and believe if objects can have both form and function, they should. Enter Bialetti. If you aren’t familiar with Bialetti, it’s a storied and beloved Italian brand and the first moka pot was launched in 1933. If anyone locally was going to have a Bialetti moka pot, it was going to be Seasoned NOLA, the most charming kitchen thrift store. I was correct. Not only did they have multiple Bialetti options, but they also had a London Sip moka pot. (The Bialetti is good for when I am espresso-ing alone or when it’s just me and Mark, while the six “cup” London Sip is for espresso with friends.)
Mission accomplished, time and money budgets reigned in and lovely pieces added to my happy coffee station. All of this also played well into my continued efforts at slow living: spending less and living more. For me, this looks like thrifting before buying whenever possible; tending and growing the little container garden I’ve been creating in the hallway landing of our apartment building; reading more books (if that’s possible!), watching inspiring documentaries and good films; taking more walks and being in nature more often; teaching myself embroidery; spending more time with friends and family; viewing and making more art; cooking delicious meals and making yummy coffee beverages.
Do I see the irony in using espresso as a tool for slowing down? Yes. Have I seen the Italians do this first hand and therefore know it isn’t ridiculous? Also yes. Was this post just an excuse to brag about having traveled to Italy? No. But also probably a little, yes. I’m only human and to be fair, Italy changed my life for the better in countless ways. Including showing me what it looks like to slow down and enjoy life. Which is very easily done by ordering or making an espresso and sipping it alone or with a friend. Do this (or swap the espresso for your fave, delish, non-caffeinated choice if you can’t do caffeine at all or later in the day) most afternoons and notice what happens. Share your results in comments or email me at penfemme@gmail.com. Cheers!
Leave a comment