Jan 15
Mindful Coffee: How Should a Cup of Joe Really Be Enjoyed?
Somewhere in this world of hustle and bustle, the pleasure and simple joy of drinking coffee is being lost.
Although brewing a cup of coffee has become a lot more technical and celebrated, and competitions as well as small café’s and roasters across the world are exploring the innovation that comes with the craft, the act of sitting down and sipping on a steaming hot cup and relishing in the flavour is drowning somewhere amongst our hectic lifestyles.
Three years ago, way before I ever became a barista, I vowed to myself that I would only drink coffee if the situation followed these three simple rules:
- I was sitting down
- I was not at work or commuting to work
- I wasn’t just drinking it to stay awake
This came around a time where coffee was a part of my strict morning routine — actually it was the only thing on my list that I committed to every single morning; an 8oz soy Cappuccino from my favourite local café in Banff which was only a two minute walk from my house. Not only did it keep me awake on dark winter mornings, but it kept me warm during those -30 commutes.
One day, I looked down at my cup and realized I had finished my entire coffee without even a slight memory of drinking it. I had a lingering taste in my mouth, tart but sweet, but the aroma and warmth was gone. Of course this was a great excuse to buy another but it also made me think…I couldn’t remember the last time I had sat down and drank coffee without the distractions of the world around me, or in a coffeehouse with myself or a friend. This was something that I had always loved doing and found to be a little pocket of joy in life — I needed to get back to it.
Fast forward a few years, and I’m working as a barista at a brand new espresso bar in town. I have a whole new appreciation for coffee and there is no better feeling than making somebody a cup and seeing them smile after their first sip. A lot of the time however, I come across locals who are either rushing to get to work and in need of their caffeine fix or tourists who are overwhelmed by their surroundings and forget what their order even was. I’ve learned that if you ask people how their coffee is once it’s handed to them, they will pause, take a sip and acknowledge the taste before leaving, giving them at least one little mindful moment.
Truthfully, I can’t say that I’m always drinking my coffee with intention, but I do do it now more than ever before. The process of brewing a cup is just as meditative too. I grab my favourite mug from the shelf and prep my Aeropress and beans while the kettle boils. I love opening the bag of beans every morning and inhaling the bold scent of walnut, accompanied by a very slight sweetness. Once the water has boiled, my coffee has brewed and the magic has happened, I sit down and enjoy the warmth of the mug in my hands and let the aroma fill up the apartment. The first sip is just the right temperature and an earthy taste overwhelms my taste buds; I won’t be forgetting about this moment, that’s for sure.
