The Coffee House

[Gary A.]

After our wine, Gary plans to fire up the propane BBQ and put a sear on a Tri-Tip that’s been in the sous vide all day. It’s been cooking away in Gary’s BBQ sauce and a ton of rosemary and parsley.

 

[limr50 3]

My first day in Istanbul was long and exhausting. I challenged myself to start getting acclimated as soon as I could, so I went shopping, I explored, and I tried out the few words I knew how to say in Turkish.

Late afternoon came and I was hungry and desperate for some coffee, but didn't really know what my options were. I stopped at a cafe close to my school/apartment thinking it would be a safe bet. The man asked if I wanted Turkish coffee or Nescafe. They didn't serve what I came to understand was called "filter coffee." I burst into tears.

The next few minutes was a combination of tissues, broken English and broken Turkish, and a steaming hot cup of Nescafe with UHT milk. By all rights, this beverage should have been sort of horrifying to me, but it was like sweet nectar for my bruised soul.

Thus began a long period of time drinking a lot of Nescafe because that was my only option if I wanted a mug of coffee instead of a tiny cup of Turkish coffee (which did hit the spot at times, but mornings were not those times.) I did get a French press for coffee at home, at least, but anything at a cafe or in the teacher's lounge was Nescafe. Got used to it, and even liked it...a lot of the time, anyway. Over the course of the three years, more and more "filtre kahve" places opened up and the situation improved.

Moving to Portugal was like moving to coffee heaven. Delicious espresso available for less than a euro and cafes on every corner. Mmmmm...."Meia de leite" in the morning (half espresso, half hot milk) and "cafe" (espresso) the rest of the day.

I never drank Nescafe regularly after I moved away from Turkey, but I do have to admit to giving into the occasional nostalgia-driven craving

 

[Dean_Gretsch]

My dear old grandmother always had a jar of Sanka or Folgers Instant on hand. I hear it is still popular in Australia and New Zealand. I work for a company that owns and produces many coffee brands. They just installed a new type of machine in our break room that mixes a super strong liquid version ( comes frozen and you thaw just before use ) of instant coffee and hot water. It still tastes terrible IMO.

Sanka is the cafe de la journee in Korea. Sanka is what they served in coffee shops when Gary lived there. Thankfully they typically only poured half a cup.

I don't remember if I drank coffee in Korea. I do remember drinking maekju and soju however. Surely it was better than the thick, potent liquid they served demitasse style in Cairo though. Those little cups are more than big enough for their coffee

 

[Gary A.]

Ahhhhhhhh ... soju. ​

 

[Dean_Gretsch]

I heard on the radio a couple years ago, some American liquor society was betting on soju becoming the new " in " drink. I haven't heard anything about that since.

 

[waday]

My first day in Istanbul was long and exhausting. I challenged myself to start getting acclimated as soon as I could, so I went shopping, I explored, and I tried out the few words I knew how to say in Turkish.

Late afternoon came and I was hungry and desperate for some coffee, but didn't really know what my options were. I stopped at a cafe close to my school/apartment thinking it would be a safe bet. The man asked if I wanted Turkish coffee or Nescafe. They didn't serve what I came to understand was called "filter coffee." I burst into tears.

The next few minutes was a combination of tissues, broken English and broken Turkish, and a steaming hot cup of Nescafe with UHT milk. By all rights, this beverage should have been sort of horrifying to me, but it was like sweet nectar for my bruised soul.

Thus began a long period of time drinking a lot of Nescafe because that was my only option if I wanted a mug of coffee instead of a tiny cup of Turkish coffee (which did hit the spot at times, but mornings were not those times.) I did get a French press for coffee at home, at least, but anything at a cafe or in the teacher's lounge was Nescafe. Got used to it, and even liked it...a lot of the time, anyway. Over the course of the three years, more and more "filtre kahve" places opened up and the situation improved.

Moving to Portugal was like moving to coffee heaven. Delicious espresso available for less than a euro and cafes on every corner. Mmmmm...."Meia de leite" in the morning (half espresso, half hot milk) and "cafe" (espresso) the rest of the day.

I never drank Nescafe regularly after I moved away from Turkey, but I do have to admit to giving into the occasional nostalgia-driven craving

My mother-in-law is convinced that the Nescafé she buys in Ecuador is, and tastes, better than that sold in the US. I don’t disagree with her.

 

[Gary A.]

Images from today (iPhone):

Redwood tree from Miss Maggie’s walk.

The Marinate.

Lookin’ into the Sous Vide bag.

Rose by the BBQ.

One side is seared.

Fini - Dinner is served.

 

[ceemac]

Any ex university students remember caffeine pills? A couple of those washed down with coffee and you could study all night.

 

[Tony744]

I've used those on occasion when I was a long haul trucker.

 

[davidharmier60]

Speaking of night. Mine was unusual.
No waking up several times.
No recalled dreaming.
Was asleep and then the alarm went off.
Off to work shortly.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[snowbear140 71]

My mom is hard core. She likes her Taster's Choice instant coffee with no sugar and the teeniest drop of milk. It's disgusting.

That's what got me through midnight shifts - eat a spoon full of instant crystals and wash it down with real coffee.

I hope ypou folks realize that I really am kidding. I did, however, drink a lot of black coffee during these shifts. Ya gotta stay awake in 9-1-1

 

[smoke665]

Sweetest, most satisfying drink ever. We were on a house fire one night in January, bitter cold. We all looked like walking ice men from the overspray off the hoses, and low and behold, out of the mist came a Red Cross service truck. All they had on board was Swiss Miss instant hot chocolate packets and a large container of hot water, but I've never tasted such great hot chocolate in my life. In all my years in the department this is the only time this has ever happened.

 

[Fujidave]

Well we beat the rain from our walk, but it was pretty damn cold out.

 

[limr50 3]

Any ex university students remember caffeine pills? A couple of those washed down with coffee and you could study all night.

No Doze? Yeah, I only tried those once. Hated them.

 

[JonA_CT]

Any ex university students remember caffeine pills? A couple of those washed down with coffee and you could study all night.

I still have friends who use them instead of coffee.

Coffee is a ritual for me though...I'd have a hard time giving it up. I especially love when I have time to make a single pour-over cup with really fresh beans. The overall sensory experience -- pouring the water in a really specific way, stirring, the smells, the eventual taste...it can't be beat.