Last Sunday morning I went to Sur la Table with my friend, Allan, to take a coffee class. One of Allan’s new year’s resolutions is to learn more about food and its preparation so he asked me where he might take some classes. I had read about Sur la Table’s new course schedule in the Times a few weeks ago and wanted to check it out.
Allan has also been a tremendous support of every adventure I’ve attempted over the last 7 years I’ve known him so I’m all too happy to return the favor. Judging by the fun we had on Sunday, I think the coffee class is just the beginning of our culinary classes.
The class was put together by Illy and coffee master Giorgio Milos walked us through the intricacies of selecting, preparing, and enjoying coffee in a variety of its beautiful forms. A caffeine lightweight and a lover of a good adventure story, I was sufficiently buzzed through Monday, body and soul. Giorgio spun a tale of intrigue, passion, and jealousy peppered with royal battles and thievery, all while he served up cup after cup of rich, frothy coffee. It was like sitting around a campfire late at night and hearing the rich oral history of a people passed down by a wise village elder in a fine Italian suit.
Lesson #1: We determine our destiny
The bit of information that had my mind whirring (beyond the effects of the caffeine) was how the method of brewing deeply affected the taste, consistency, visual appearance, and aroma. Same raw grounds and water in, completely different end-product out. The only variables were the pack of the grounds, the pressure and temperature of the water, the texture of the grind, and how long the water was in contact with the coffee grounds. All variables are controlled by the person making the coffee. The raw material matters, certainly, but how we treat that raw material has an incredible impact on our results.
Lesson #2: Every moment offers the opportunity for creativity
I was also struck by the artistry of coffee-making, and I’m not talking about pretty pictures made in crema. Giorgio had a finesse and a grace that reminded me that creativity can be brought to bear in every act we take. Whether we’re painting, playing the piano, or making our morning joe, we can always find ways of expressing our deepest selves and enjoying our work.
In life, business, and coffee, it’s the actions we take and the manner in which we take them that matter most. And it doesn’t hurt to have a guide with an Italian accent.
