Kaapi Nirvana
Coffee
is the one companion which accompanies you through all circumstances in
life—sad times, happy times, hardships and trials—a cuppa Joe is all you need
to calm your nerves with its strong and acidic tang, running through your
throat with its steaming goodness, sometimes enjoyed scalding hot, or mildly
cold. However it may be, coffee is the ultimate beverage to get you up and
running.
I
woke up this morning thinking of only one thing—the bodum in which I prepare
this indulgence. The Bodum, or French Press, as it is commonly known, is a
recently pursued tradition. My mother, due to whom I was hooked onto the coffee
train, earlier used the French press, and now has gradually moved onto the
automatic coffeemaker. She was the one who first taught me how to use the
simple mechanical machine.
I got
out of bed in a dreary state, longing to smell the caffeine goodness that
waited for me in the kitchen. “You drink too much coffee. It isn’t good for
growing children like you,” states my grandmother, eyeing the coffee mixture
suspiciously. “At least add some more milk and sugar,” she insisted. I brushed
her off, replying that coffee is best when black, and that she should be
thankful I like it with a hint of steamed milk and medium sugar. “That’s enough
for me,” I say, and she gives up, knowing that it’s not going to work. After
all, there’s a reason it’s used to cure the worst of hangovers. If it were up
to me, I’d drink only black. But of course, even if you’re sixteen, black
coffee is a banned substance in this household. Mother buys a special brew of
blended coffee, a fusion of premium plantation beans and a rare variety called
the Mysore Nuggets, which have an earthy texture, all the while with a round
taste, enveloping your tastebuds in rich wholesome goodness. They have depth to
their flavor, which is hard to describe, well-paired with the robust and
upfront taste of premium plantation beans.
I
trudged to the kitchen, put some water to the boil, and waited. The best thing
about the plunger? It only takes 2-3 minutes to brew the grounds, provided the
water is hot enough. In this case, around 205 degrees Celsius. I put one and a
half teaspoon of coffee grounds in the plunger, add the boiling water, put on
the filter attached lid, and wait. I wait for what seems to be the longest
three minutes of my life.
Finally,
the moment of nirvana arrived. I pressed the filter cap all the way down to the
base, poured out the silky liquid into my favorite mug, which proclaims, “The
blue sky, the sun shining, birds singing, clouds drifting—a perfect day. If
only my cup of coffee lasted a little longer.” I put a tiny teaspoon of sugar,
and a swirl of milk, give it a stir, and voila! Nirvana at your fingertips.
I
breathe in the steaming aroma, look at it lovingly swirling in my cup, and take
a sip. Aah, I sigh. All is well with the world.
-Rhea
Sugwekar.
Saturday,
10th May, 2012.
