Coffee Magic

I love the moment when sleep begins to fade, and the realization of a new day hits. Not just a new day, but a new day with a new cup of coffee. I don’t have one of those fancy-schmancy coffee makers where my coffee is done by the time I roll out of bed. Or it’s done with one touch of a button. I have something much better. Time and vorfreude. There’s that word again. It’s pleasant anticipation for those not in the know. I have been using a pour-over coffee drip for years. I inherited a circa 1970s Melitta drip, and it’s been love ever since. Recently, I found a lovely ceramic pour-over drip, and it’s definitely added to the magic of my morning.

My morning coffee ritual is healing. It always puts my day into perspective and starts it on the grateful side of life. Coffee magic is the whole process. From grinding some coffee beans, to heating the water and picking out my mug for the morning. It’s watching the water boil and scooping some coffee into my cloth coffee filter. Watching the coffee crème form as the hot water hits the coffee. Hearing the coffee hit the bottom of the mug as the as the sweet aroma of coffee fills the kitchen. It’s picking out the book for the morning as the last bit of coffee leaves the filter. It’s plumping the pillows on the couch and settling in for that first heavenly sip. I love reading inspirational books during coffee time. The coffee magic even includes taking my used coffee grounds for a walk in my garden until I find a good composting spot and rinsing out my reusable filter. My coffee ritual from start to finish takes about an hour. And no matter what’s going on in my life, I rearrange life to make room for it because it’s such an important part of my daily well-being.

One cup. That’s all and so much at the same time. My coffee experience transformed into magical once I let go of the coffee addiction.

I discovered coffee in my teens, and I was hooked. I used to drink a lot of coffee. I loved it. I could drink a cup right before bed and sleep like a baby. As much as I loved coffee, the experience never even came close to today’s more mindful consumption.

What helped me rethink my addiction and coffee time? I learned about the coffee industry. After that eye-opening moment, mindless consumption just didn’t taste so lovely anymore. I now make sure my coffee is fair-trade and organic. It’s more expensive per cup, sure, but totally worth it. I value my coffee even more and enjoy every last sip. If you want to learn what’s really in your coffee, I recommend starting with the Food Empowerment Project.

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