Saturday, July 9, 2011

Love/Insanity

As I drove to Milnerton yesterday morning, I wondered how it could be that this careful-person-I was about to spend almost a month's rent on a coffee machine. Reviews had been read, comparisons made of steam jets and copper water tanks. There were transcontinental Skype discussions and calls to the Italian importers in Johannesburg. Still...


Then I met Mr JP Gelonese. I was all for paying him and rushing back home to play. But he said: No No. We'll plug it in and make some coffee together. This from a man with a raging tooth-ache and a constantly ringing phone. It turned into an hour-long lesson full of tips and wisdom. Cup after cup of beautiful coffee. Espresso, latte, cappuccino, flat white. Crema.
So happy and giddy with coffee love was I that I clean forgot to eat. Stopped at the supermarket to make a few more unprecedented purchases: hot-smoked salmon, Mozzarella di Buffala, sweet potato sourdough rye, candied kumquats.

This Winter is slow. Project after project is canceled before it starts. But this is what I realized with a smile as I made my first cup of coffee: in this world of uncertainty and no guarantees, it's about starting every day doing at least one thing pure and calm and right.


My Isomac Maverick is from Caffetalia. Real people who love coffee.
(As I left, Mr Gelonese gave me a gentle caution - he's recently had to cut down to a scant 24 espressos a day due to a spot of insomnia.)

5 comments:

Chris said...

I think a visit is on the cards...

D said...

Oh well done. I'm jealous - I make do with an aeropress, which is an OK compromise if paired with a decent grinder. Which you will also have to buy if you don't have one already. And freshly roasted beans... See http://coffeegeek.com/guides to fuel an obsession if it needs fuelling.

the sourcerer said...

D. ja... that burr grinder is in the wings. I know it's the key. maybe next month. at present I'm on a quest to make perfect microfoam. (coffeegeek is my guru!)
the most interesting thing for me is this: manuals and reviews aside, it's all about getting to know your equipment - feeling and listening.
:)

Marie said...

He made coffee with you??? Jeepers. Sounds wonderful. I'll have to live with my galoppinghorses stovetop espresso pot.

the sourcerer said...

Marie - I like the sound of galloping horses! yes, this man is wonderful. he also said I could phone him anytime between 7 and 11 if I have problems. I've nicknamed him the Coffee Doctor.