06 March 2009

IL CAFFE(ine)

I thought it might good to talk about coffee on my return post from my brief absence. Why? Because when a beautiful little girl like this enters your life:


you may find that coffee takes on additional importance. ( She's pretty damn cute, right?)

I'm very particular in my coffee habits to a point. I like it strong and rich. I only brew espresso at home. I buy fine ground coffee in vacuum sealed bricks, and brew it on the stove top in a Bialetii moka pot.

There are two ways to go about this. First there's the Affordable Wardrobe way:When we first got poor enough for me to really pay attention to prices, I tried like hell to shave every penny I could from the grocery bill. My coffee was one of the last things to suffer the cut. Thankfully, I discovered Cafe El Aguila. It's rich and creamy, very strong. I like it with some sugar and a healthy bit of milk in the morning. At a mere $1.59 per 250 gram brick, it's the best deal going. The company is based in Miami, and apparently it's popular with Cuban ex-pats. Last I checked, they know a thing or two about real coffee.

Then there's the uncompromising Italian way:

Caffe Danesi is my favorite. Intensely flavored, but with a mellower, more delicate texture. It's extremely hard to find. Some of the Italian cafes around town serve, but my local Italian grocer is the only place I know to buy it. (I know what you're thinking: "why don't you look online for it?" Because the internet takes all of the thrill out of the discovery of things, that's why.) Today I bought a brick as a celebration for myself of my baby girl's birth. At $6.49 per 250 gram brick it's a bit more dear than El Aguila, but when you consider the fact that some people spend that much (and more) a day on the burnt swill that Starbuck's calls coffee, it's still pretty cheap.

And the way the house smells when this stuff is brewing...incomparable!

Throw away your drip pots and percolators, toughen up, and drink real coffee.

More menswear related drivel coming soon.

19 comments:

Percy Chatsworth said...

What method do you use to make your coffee?

ajvphilp said...

very cute, your wee girl!

ADG said...

I'm about to brew my 3rd espresso for the morning. I will toast your lovely little girl. What an incredible gift!

I hope that you and your family are all doing well. What does the little man think about his younger sister?

Anonymous said...

1. Not just cute; she's beautiful!
2. Per i conoscitori, l’espresso è la quintessenza del caffè, l’unico modo per gustarne l’aroma con la massima intensità.

lisagh said...

I'm not a fan of coffee, but I do declare, what a beauty you've been blessed with!

Tammy B said...

What a PRECIOUS baby girl! I'm not a coffee drinker, but I will toast her with a cup of Harney's tea. Only for special occasions and when I'm in an enjoyable mood.

When my mother's older brother passed away, I'm sure they had to dust off the boxes of Mr. Coffees that people had given him as a gift. He cooked his coffee on the stove, as did my father's parents. No perculators or coffee makers for them.

Armilyn and David said...

What, no blackwatch flannel receiving blanket? I am shocked sir!

In all seriousness, she's a beautiful girl.

David

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the recommendations. Haven't tried either of these coffees. One question though: What size Moka Express do you have?

As for your daughter, simply precious. Congratulations.

MissBliss said...

babies do mean an extra need for the best coffee made in the best way... she is precious and I like your coffee suggestions!

C said...

Adorable baby Giuseppe.

"Real coffee" that's good. I do enjoy a good espresso every once in a while (home-roasted of course), but I usually like a very light roasted cup of coffee. I'm sure if you tried it you'd come around to the light-roast camp.

Conor

initials CG said...

Lucky guy! Nothing like a beautiful daughter to keep you honest...

Looks like things are staring to take off.

Hope mom is doing well, too.

Enjoy the coffee! When I lived in the SF Bay Area, I had a tough time finding coffee for my moka. Finally found Illy cafe. $17 bucks! ...me coglioni! I made some for my then wife and some friends, but they just couldn't take to it. Savages, barbarians....what did they know about coffee. More for me!

Pigtown*Design said...

What a darling! We're all so pleased for you and the family. Toasting you with a cup of Cafe du Monde made on my stovetop espresso-maker.

urbpan said...

We buy the Goya bricks, but a few months ago they went from 1.99 up to 2.99 so now we buy the Cafe Bustelo which is a little cheaper. Since Alexis brews at least 2 pots a day, expense is an issue.

Angelo R. said...

I use a Vandel 6-cup moka that has been passed down through my family. It's all about stove top espresso.

ms. mindless said...

she's lovely! when i do drink coffee, my stovetop bialetti is the only way i have it. now, i will have to be on the hunt for cafe danesi!

heavy tweed jacket said...

Absolutely adorable. Congratulations.

Anonymous said...

She's beautiful. Have you chosen a name. I recommend Sophie ... for obvious reasons :)

Pitboss12 said...

I always screw up stove top coffee. I always tamp down the coffee grinds too much (habit I acquired while working with a commercial esspresso machine). I buy Lavazza Oro and grind at home.

You have a beautiful reason to enjoy good coffee.

Gregorius Mercator said...

Congratulations! You're 100% right.

As for coffee, I'm kind of shocked you don't grind it yourself. A cheap electric grinder is only a few bucks, and I think it makes quite a difference. Though, I haven't tried either of your brands; perhaps they don't need it.