Sunday Scribblings 2

Posted Saturday May 21

This week's given word is froth(y)

Years ago almost every high street in England had a coffee retailer called Importers. In the shop window sat a roaster which tumbled coffee beans in a cylinder over a fiery gas burner. Low down near the pavement was a grill through which the aromatic fumes wafted into the street. That is where my love affair with coffee started.

The way we make a cup of coffee has certainly changed over the years. I remember my Gran making it with a thick brown liquid in a bottle, Camp it was called. She added hot milk and sugar. It was unpleasant! Then came instant coffee powder, Nescafe, followed by coffee granules which smelt vaguely like coffee and are still around today. When I first got married, top of the wedding present list was a coffee percolator. A strange gurgling device which converted that fabulous aromatic Importers ground coffee to a boiled and fairly unpleasant brew which tasted nothing like coffee at all! Then we moved on to a cafetiere which was slightly better. Nowadays a machine which uses little pods is everyone’s must have gadget.

I love coffee. Thick, bitter and sludgy in Turkey. Strong and black in Greece. Coffee with passion in Italy, and coffee which kicks back in South America. My favourite? Simple and black, with nothing added. The way nature intended! You can keep your froth and your cinnamon. I don’t want chocolate sprinkled on top or steamed milk stirred in.

Writing this has made me thirsty! Anyone fancy a cup of tea?

Sunday Scribblings 2