The Aesthetics of Coffee
01.01.70
I grew with a grandmother who bought green coffee beans at the A&P, roasted them in an open frying pan on the stove and ground them in an old-fashioned hand-cranked coffee grinder. When she made coffee for herself, she boiled it in a saucepan and strained it through a cafetera. When her friends visited during the day, she pulled out the chrome percolator and served it in delicate cups and saucers with a matching sugar bowl and creamer. After Sunday dinner, she'd pull out the machinetta -- what we all call a moka pot these days -- and make wonderfully rich, dark and fragrant espresso. At her elbow, I learned not just a deep appreciation for coffee, but of the beautiful things used to make coffee. In fact, the biggest reason I never thought much of the Mr. Coffee coffee maker had a lot less to do with it making lousy coffee as it did with the fact that it was an ugly, squat little machine. I love beautiful machines -- and the Mr. Coffee was not beautiful.
To this day, when I look for coffee equipment, I choose as much by aesthetics as I do by name or price. My first coffee purchase was an antique Turkish ibrik and a matching grinder. I had no intention of actually using them -- though I did eventually. I was simply enchanted by the long, graceful handle of the ibrik and the delicate, intricate engraving on the grinder. I paid $20 for it at a little antique shop up the street -- and this was at a time when my monthly rent was a princely $110. That was about the time I started scouring yard sales and flea markets for "old-fashioned" coffee equipment. In short order, I had added a Bialetti machinetta and a Chemex coffee brewer to my collection.
Source: ROASTe (blog)
Laurel's Coffee Grinder helps Frank Chinchar
01.01.70
At the end of every day, Gardner determines how many
cups of coffee were sold and places the total money into a benefit jar for Frank.
Frank Chinchar, formerly of Honesdale, was recently diagnosed with advanced stage testicular cancer. Chinchar lost his health insurance when he changed jobs and this is the first time he has been without insurance.
Chinchar has been approved for Medicaid, but Medicaid does not cover health expenses accrued prior to enrollment. He is too weak to continue to work, but on a positive note doctors are optimistic that his current form of cancer is treatable.
A benefit, organized by Michele Stahl, her daughter Amber and Rudy Schemitz, is being held for Frank and his family to help raise enough funds to cover as many medical expenses as possible. The benefit is Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. at Beach Lake Fire Co., Beach Lake.
There will be door prizes, spooky treats, games and food for purchase. The cost to enter the event is $10 per person. All funds collected will be donated directly to the Chinchar family’s medical expenses.
Source: Wayne Independent