[oclug] [OT] - Non violence stuff.

[miden]

Thanks Chris

As to the addiction comment - too late! Though other than the withdrawal
symptoms you mentioned I don't feel any effect. In fact I usually sit on
the front step with a cup before going to bed and experience no
problems. Blood pressure is extremely good etc. etc.

The only coffee that gives me trouble is the regular North American
stuff and will only drink it out of politeness when visiting. That stuff
will keep you up at night.

I've heard that an unusually low colon cancer rate in Morocco has been
attributed to that society's habit of drinking the grounds found in all
Arabic style coffees. Have no idea how true any part of that story is
and don't think I could do it anyway.

Come to think of it, the only person I've ever seen swirl and drink the
grounds was German :-)

Like your family, my wife and I make time for coffee but do it everyday.
Cappuccino, cheese, bread, fruit, a sweet. Lovely time.

-m


On Sun, 2006-08-20 at 14:55 -0400, Chris Herrnberger wrote:
> On Sunday 20 August 2006 10:10, miden wrote:
> > Where can one get this 'German stuff' mentioned in the last paragraph?
> > How is it prepared?
> 
> You can get it at several supper markets in the area, or the Sausage Kitchen 
> in the Market. Just look at where its from. Generally it comes in a vacuum 
> packed cube of anywhere between 350 to 750 grams. There are several 
> varieties. Generally the more you pay the better quality coffee. Even Melita 
> is not bad and you can get it in a large tin at Walmart for a reasonable 
> cost. Always keep it in the freezer once opened. same for all ground coffee. 
> Best is to buy beans and grind it as needed but that is harder to find in 
> Ottawa. In Hamilton where I grew up and a larger concentration of ethnic 
> Germans, its was rather easy to get the same packs as above however not 
> ground. I guess its a demand thing, 
> 
> The trick to making German and most European styled coffee is to understand 
> that a standard European cup or "tasse" in  German is approx 1/2 to 2/3 the 
> size of an imperial cup. Mugs are an American invention that were introduced 
> to Europe only during the second world war. Thicker walled they did not 
> break. A good cup is usually made out of thin walled porcelain.  About the 
> same size as you get in a higher quality resteraunts where coffee is served 
> with a cup and saucer, not in mug, paper cup or Styrofoam container.
> 
> Secondly the measured increments in each coffee maker vary greatly. So measure 
> water to be added based on the number of cups you want to make taking the 
> above measures into consideration. Then add two heaping tea spoons per cup 
> and a pinch of salt. Let the coffee maker do its thing (some are better then 
> others so experiment and "always" use a conical filter) Now serve the coffee 
> piping hot with cream and sugar to taste. 
> 
> Note; that's cream not milk and the higher the fat content in the better. 
> Whipping cream, non whipped of course in a decent cup of piping hot coffee is 
> a real treat as no sugar is needed as the fat level provides natural 
> sweetening. 
> 
> [Side bar comment: Do not let remaining coffee sit in the carafe on the hot 
> plate rather transfer it to an insulated carafe or whatever you have 
> immediately after it has been brewed.  As you know coffee tastes best at 
> specific temperatures and can burn if the max temp is exceeded which is the 
> case for most hotplates that come with standard home coffeemakers.] And yes 
> don't ask as I don't remember all the various temperatures.
> 
> Now on last thing. You mentioned that you consumer at least five or more 
> Turkish/Greek/Arabic coffee's a day. This is not healthy at all. Most peoples 
> from these lands will drink no more then two sometimes spiked with Arak or 
> whatever its called, basically a licorice based liqueur. More then this and 
> its addictive and you will experience from moderate to severe caffeine 
> withdrawal ranging from irritation to mild to sever headaches. Caught me off 
> guard post university years and when on vacation and no coffee for three 
> days, well the physical reaction and addictiveness really surprised me. Given 
> that everyones physiology is different your experiences may vary, however its 
> common folks wisdom, call it common sense, that coffee is a luxury item and 
> to be treated and respected as such especially when brewed in the 
> concentrations under discussion.
> 
> Most of all however. Simply enjoy it as a treat and not a staple. Then you may 
> really come to enjoy and understand the various nuances that make up a good 
> cup of coffee. If ever in Toronto and in the old Italian section, where you 
> can still find coffee houses where only old men in black sit around little 
> round tables and who never talk to us "mange cakes" out of respect, ask for 
> "mothers' milk" Guaranteed to knock yours socks off. 50 percent thick 
> expresso, 50 percent Grappa served in a demi tasse. One shot and your good to 
> go for at least eight hrs. You must remember that many of these drinks were 
> mixed in portions to enhance the narcotic effect both as a stimulant and 
> anti-depressant given the harshness of life and absence of food. Three meals 
> a day is a essentially a modern approach in time of prosperity. Hence folks 
> still chew coca leaves for all the right medicinal reasons. Only in NA and in 
> recent times has coffee become a commodity that competes with other forms of 
> drink. Sadly this concept is now being exported. 
> 
> In our house growing up on Sunday around three was coffee time. Cakes were 
> prepared or purchased and the family and guests would sit and discuss the 
> events of the week while being served coffee and home made tortes. A luxury 
> of days gone buy and still recoverable if time is prioritized in terms of 
> what really is important. To each his own of course. 
> 
> Enjoy.
> 
> /ch
>