Mindful Living with Coffee
Skilful masters of life keep moving forward, no matter how good or bad their circumstances are. They are attentive and notice the bitter ‘beans’ of life. At the same time, they keep in mind that interesting, memorable and balanced moments develop from a kaleidoscope of flavours. Continue reading BARISTA’S PHYLOSOPHY IN ASIA
The way a person does one thing is the way they do everything. –
an old Zen saying.
As a matter of fact, some psychologists suggest that the simple act of holding a coffee drink reveals some of our key personality traits or how we feel at the current moment.
Eric Standop, a professional face and body language reader, also pays attention on the way people hold their drinks to get an idea about their personality, mood and intentions.
Some people are holding or placing their cups firmly in a barrier position across the body between them and whoever they’re talking to. In doing so, they are creating so-called ‘invisible walls’. By keeping the cup between themselves and others, they appear guarded and closed.
Shifting the cup from hand to hand in front of other people creates a so-called psychological barrier. Subconsciously, the person we are interacting with will pick up the message ‘I don’t feel comfortable around you’.
If we want to signal openness and interest in the person we are interacting with, we should hold and place the cup at our side instead of close to our chest.
Myka Meier, founder and director of Beaumont Etiquette, demonstrates the ‘correct’ way to hold a coffee cup:
“Loop your index finger into the handle and keep your thumb on top of the handle. Your remaining three fingers — middle, index and pinkie — are tucked into the palm of your hand.”
Source: KATE STOREY, FYI, You’re Holding Your Coffee Wrong, COSMOPOLITAN, Oct 21, 2016: https://bit.ly/2LMNDIB
If a person holds the cup this way, it can be a sign that he or she is conscientious and driven to followrules.
In many cultures, as Eric Standop underlines, the thumb is seen as a power finger.
According to him, if a person puts the four fingers through the handle while placing the thumb on top of the handle to secure the cup, it could be a sign that the person wants to exercise power and strength.
Some people like to hold or balance the cup on the palm of their hand. This scenario suggests that the person is in need of security and safety. The person could, for example, be worried about leaving coffee stains on the table or shirt. The hand under the cup could also be an unconscious additional safety measure for making sure that the cup will not drop on the floor.
Also, holding the coffee cup with both hands could also suggest that the person likes to play safe while taking no chances.
During our recent visit to Chiang Mai, in Northern Thailand we had been invited by local farmers to their coffee plantation to pick coffee cherries with them. This task was not as easy as we thought it would be!
Continue reading IS IT COFFEE HARVEST BY HAND AN EASY TASK?
I was brought up to believe you should always live the most interesting life you can.
Nick McDonell, American writer
For me, interesting experiences are inspiring moments that I will remember.
Let’s close our eyes and let’s think about the last time we truly enjoyed wonderful coffee moments – what did we do and why did we enjoy the experience so much?
I remember many different moments. Many of them offered something that I had never experienced before. In a special way, interesting coffee moments offer great pieces of – yet unknown – art that will become a part of us.
I not only remember, what I did and with whom I was with, but I also remember, how these moments made me feel. Interesting coffee moments are able spark emotions. If we are trying to express what we are feeling, we are creating art. Emotions can lift up our spirit and make us more driven than ever.
Moreover, I remember interesting coffee moments because they were feeding my mind by causing me to think creatively. I learned something new and gained inside into something I hadn’t thought of before.
Interesting coffee moments tell us the inspiring stories behind every cup we brew. These stories celebrate passionate farmers, roasters or pottery artists who put their heart and soul into their daily work. Their work captivates me and makes my coffee experiences magical. In one way or another, I can identify with them and their work.
As a matter of fact, I love to explore the stories behind each coffee cup. Maybe the beans are from a plantation with adopted fascinating sustainable practices, or a region with a unique identity.
Interesting coffee moments are also about mindful preparation, presentation and enjoyment. It’s about discovering and paying attention to details, which are often hidden. These special moments are also about balance, compositions, the utensils that are being used and the environment and company around us.
LET’S MAKE LIFE INTERESTING ?!
Brewing coffee is a deeply fulfilling ritualistic art. While preparing coffee with our hands and all our senses we can explore different techniques and refine our artistic skills.
Creativity arises when we are calm and present at the moment. Brewing coffee brings me peace of mind.
I respect nature and love to create things with my hands. I am eager to share my passion for the art of coffee making.
It is my goal to encourage coffee-lovers to learn to handcraft coffee and to replicate the sensory experience of preparing and drinking drip coffee in the comfort of their homes. Continue reading COFFEE PHYLOSOPHY
There are many word pictures – so-called metaphors – for our lives. Life can be seen as an adventure, a battle or perhaps a journey. Metaphors can inspire us. We use them to make sense of our lives. Word pictures help us seeing the big picture. Continue reading LIFE IS LIKE CUP OF COFFEE
Go within every day and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out. – Katherine Dunham
The act of preparing and enjoying a cup of delicious coffee is a wonderful morning ritual, especially during the winter time. The moments between waking up in the morning and getting ready for work are ‘Power Moments’. They will set the tone for the rest of the day.
Continue reading PEACEFUL CREATIVE COFFEE MORNINGS
Coffee as a product and the way of life associated with it is developing in several different ‘waves’. Three significant waves of coffee advancements have been recognised by coffee lovers:
Continue reading COFFEE WAVES & WISDOM
Usually, The New Year, I am starting with my traditional cup of coffee, created from the nice people that I have met during the previous year. For each person, I add one coffee bean.
Continue reading TWO COFFEE BLOGS FOR THE NEW YEAR 2019
