mnmal:

The coffee.

To me there are only three ways of making coffee: An espresso machine, a macchinetta coffee maker (in the picture) or a french press. There are more ways of course, but these listed are the ones I prefer.

The one thing these methods have in common is that they require a bit more attention to details than, say, a normal filter coffee machine. Making coffee the ways I mentioned usually means grinding the coffee before making the cup and not just use off the shelve ground coffee, waiting for the water to boil or making sure the amount of water per coffee quantity is right.

All this might some gratuitously complicated but it is part of my morning routine. A routine I’ve had for years and one that allows me to focus on the new day and the things I need to do. While I’m preparing the coffee, usually as early as 4 AM, the house is silent, everyone is still asleep and this lets my mind wonder. I have very useful thoughts while making my first cup of coffee. I often find solutions to problems I’ve been thinking about, or I find new ideas.

In his terrific post about how to make a great cup of coffee with a french press Shawn Blanc wrote:

After I pour the water over the coffee grounds in the french press I let it sit for a few seconds and allow the coffee to bloom. I then give it all a really good stir, place the lid on, and set a timer for 4 minutes.

This forces you to be patient. If you want a good cup of coffee you have to be patient.

Waiting also means more time to go inwards, or time to prepare breakfast for your family, or finish the book you were reading, or folding the laundry. The list goes on.

I prefer to use a macchinetta when possible. I bring one with me even when I go climbing.

Coffee. Part of my morning routine. Complexity and simplicity.